May 2021 Brandeis Brief Brandeis Brief: May 2021 The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism continues to gain momentum worldwide, with a constant drumbeat of new adoptions each week. In the face of this gathering consensus, critics have offered bogus arguments and weak alternatives to muddy the water. This issue of the Brandeis Brief presents Kenneth L. Marcus’ new defense of IHRA, reprinting recent work in Inside Higher Ed and sharing a podcast recorded with the Institute for National Security Studies. Meanwhile, Alyza Lewin discusses anti-Semitism on college campuses and Jewish students’ realities with AMCHA’s Tammi Rossman-Benjamin. This brief also provides updates on several campuses at which the Brandeis Center has been active: the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Tufts University, the City University of New York, and Harvard. As always, we thank you for your tax deductible donations and acknowledge that without you our work could not be done. A Definition American Universities Need Kenneth L. Marcus, Inside Higher EdLDB founder and chairman Kenneth L. Marcus explains why universities must adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, refuting recent objections, rejecting weak alternatives, and describing recent research. He argues that universities need to take action if they want to be a force against anti-Semitism, rather than part of the problem. With so many governments and organizations adopting it, IHRA is gaining rapid momentum internationally but remains urgently needed by universities in the United States. Read more. Panelist Event: Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism on Campus: The Situation & Strategies for Students Toby Irenstein, Brandeis BlogLDB President Alyza Lewin spoke alongside AMCHA’s Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, on the realities that students are facing on campuses nationwide. Both speakers provided analysis of the current situation and differing roadmaps for the continuous battle against anti-Semitism on campus. The Q&A section includes important insights on the role of alumni, courage, and administrative silence in the greater anti-Semitic narrative. Read more. LDB President, Alyza Lewin, and Co-Founder and Director of AMCHA, Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, Speak on the Battle Against Anti-Semitism on College Campuses A Campus Divided Against Itself Farrah Anderson, The Daily Illini In the wake of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) formal investigation of the Brandeis Center’s pending complaint, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) committed itself to form the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Jewish and Campus Life and taking further action to combat anti-Semitism. Farrah Anderson interviewed Jewish students at UIUC in light of these developments about their experiences, exploring the pattern of anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist behavior that the Brandies Center had identified. Read more. How Tufts University Can Prevent Another Antisemitic Fiasco Susan Price, AlgemeinerSusan Price, the leader of Tufts Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) and mother of LDB client Max Price, writes about the anti-Semitism her son faced as a Jewish member of the Tufts Community Union (TCU). She recommends greater administrative intervention and other steps for universities to take to combat Jew-hatred on their campuses. Susan Price hopes that her son’s experience will make a difference for future Jewish students by bringing about reforms. Read more. Photo by ajay_suresh CUNY Student Senate Votes Down Resolution Endorsing IHRA Aaron Bandler, Jewish JournalIn the face of adoptions by student governments across the country, the City University of New York’s (CUNY) University Student Senate voted down a pair of opposing resolutions endorsing IHRA and shielding Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) from criticism. LDB’s Kenneth L. Marcus explained to the Jewish Journal that “In rejecting the IHRA definition, together with a risible alternative, CUNY’s student senate has allowed itself to be used by those who are intent on undermining the international campaign to combat Jew-hatred.” Read more. Brandeis Center Files Amicus Brief in Support of Asian American Applicants Challenging Harvard’s Discriminatory Admissions Policies Rachel Frommer, Brandeis BlogIn the face of growing anti-Asian discrimination, the Brandeis Center and its partners at the Silicon Valley Chinese Association Foundation (SVCAF) recently filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of the plaintiff in Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. The brief describes the history of anti-Jewish discrimination in Harvard admissions, specifically how subjective “character and fitness” metrics were used to purposefully limit the enrollment of Jews. It argues that Harvard is using the same methods when discriminating against Asian Americans in violation of Title VI. Read more. ADL Survey on Jewish Americans’ Experience with Anti-Semitism Bayla Zohn, Brandeis BlogA survey recently conducted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) showcases some distressing findings regarding the resurgence of anti-Semitism and how it is affecting Jewish Americans. This survey verifies that anti-Semitism is still a persistent problem within America and has a direct impact on the daily lives of Jewish Americans. Read more. Brandeis Center Co-Signs Letter to the Biden Administration Regarding the ICC’s Investigation of Israel Sarah Engelman, Brandeis BlogThe Brandeis Center has co-signed a letter, along with other Jewish advocacy organizations, to the Biden administration concerning the ICC’s recently opened investigation into Israel. The letter provides policy recommendations to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken on how to respond, emphasizing the importance of upholding American values and precedent in international law. Read more. Special Podcast: Holocaust Remembrance Day with Kenneth L. Marcus Adi Kantor and Kenneth L. Marcus, INSSIn dedication to Holocaust Remembrance Day, INSS researcher Adi Kantor interviewed Kenneth L. Marcus regarding issues of anti-Semitism and education. With the recent resurgence of anti-Semitism in the past decade, they discussed anti-Semitism in the education system; the linkage between anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Israelism; and how the Biden administration should address these issues. Read more. INSS Researcher Adi Kantor’s Interview with LDB Chairman Kenneth L. Marcus on Anti-Semitism and Education