Only one month into the new year, we are already attacking anti-Semitism with renewed energy: holding one of the most prestigious universities accountable and thereby setting a new standard for other institutions to follow; ensuring other professional sectors, like financial services and legal aid, eliminate bias against Jews and Zionists; and defending the language we need to institutionalize to fight anti-Semitism across America.
In this issue:
- 2024 Year in Review
- Harvard Agrees to Settle Title VI Litigation with the Brandeis Center and Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education
- Legal Aid Attorneys Fight to Keep Suit Over Union’s Anti-Semitic Discrimination
- Morningstar Removes Anti-Israel Bias from ESG Ratings
- Lessons Learned from the Legal Battle Against Campus Antisemitism
- Defining Anti-Semitism: When Criticism of Israel Becomes Anti-Semitism
2024 Year in Review
In 2024, the Brandeis Center fought for the civil rights of Jewish people and defended students on college campuses, children in K-12 education, and others across America who faced anti-Semitism. We held universities and administrators accountable to protect Jewish students, reached settlements that will ensure safer spaces for Jews, and educated groups ranging from local advocates to leaders in our federal government on the pernicious nature of anti-Semitism and how we must fight it.
We invite you to look back at our 2024 year in review:
2024 EOY Video
Harvard Agrees to Settle Title VI Litigation with the Brandeis Center and Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education
On January 21, the Brandeis Center and Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education announced that they reached an agreement to resolve their claims against Harvard University. As part of the settlement, Harvard agreed to implement a series of steps, building on
measures that Harvard has undertaken over the past year as a part of its commitment to combating anti-Semitism. Harvard and the Brandeis Center look forward to working together in these efforts.
In a federal lawsuit filed last May, the Brandeis Center alleged Harvard left “cruel anti-Semitic bullying, harassment, and discrimination” unaddressed for years before and after the Hamas attacks. Kenneth L. Marcus, founder and chairman of the Brandeis Center, expressed optimism about the settlement, sharing that “we are heartened that Harvard has agreed to take numerous important steps necessary to creating a welcoming environment for Jewish students.”
Legal Aid Attorneys Fight to Continue Suit Over Union’s Anti-Semitic Discrimination
In 2024, the Brandeis Center filed a federal District Court complaint against the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW Local 2325 (ALAA) and individual union officials for undertaking acts to expel and discipline two Jewish and one Non-Jewish ally from the union – in retaliation for their lawsuit opposing the ALAA’s anti-Semitic discriminatory practices manifested in the now infamous ALAA resolution attacking Israel soon after the October 7 terror attacks.
This month, the Brandeis Center filed a response motion on behalf of the plaintiffs, asking the judge to deny a motion filed by the union to dismiss the suit.
Rory Lancman, Director of Corporate Initiatives and Senior Counsel, emphasized that the plaintiffs are “not backing down,” adding that “three courageous legal services attorneys, two Jewish and one Christian ally, stood up for themselves, their Jewish clients, and, indeed, the true values of their union itself, to oppose
a fervor of anti-Semitism that engulfed the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys since October 7th, for which the union tried to expel them. As our recent filing illustrates, we are confident that federal labor law and federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws are on their side.” The legal aid attorneys are represented by Lancman and Paul Eckles, Senior Litigation Counsel at the Brandeis Center.
Morningstar Removes Anti-Israel Bias from ESG Ratings
Following extensive advocacy from Jewish and pro-Israel groups, including the Brandeis Center, financial services firm Morningstar implemented changes to remove anti-Israel bias that influenced its ESG investment ratings. For years, the Brandeis Center and its partners have called for reforms to ensure objective, reliable, and useful financial products. As a result, Morningstar has removed anti-Israel bias in Morningstar’s ESG product, following an expert report outlining comprehensive guidelines. The Center’s Rachel Lerman, who worked directly with Morningstar executives, says, “We salute Morningstar for its efforts to make its product more objective and reliable, and we look forward to persuading others in the finance industry to follow suit.” Learn more about the changes in JNS.
Lessons Learned from the Legal Battle Against Campus Anti-Semitism
In the latest issue of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance’s Journal, Brandeis Center president Alyza Lewin outlined her lessons learned from the legal battle against campus anti-Semitism, including the lesson that what is taking place on campus (and beyond) is not a good-faith political debate, but rather the vilification, marginalization, and shunning of Jews. Read all of her lessons learned here.
Defining Anti-Semitism: When Criticism of Israel Becomes Anti-Semitism
When does criticism of Israel cross the line into anti-Semitism? How do we define anti-Semitism, and why does it matter? In this panel discussion, Brandeis Center president Alyza Lewin speaks in support of adopting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, and what’s really happening when we hear people scapegoat Jews today. This discussion is moderated by Ben Sales (JTA) and also joined by Rabbi Jill Jacobs and Prof. Susannah Heschel who have supported the Jerusalem Declaration and Nexus definitions.
Watch the full conversation here:
Defining Anti-Semitism with Alyza Lewin