The law is a powerful tool in the fight against anti-Semitism in our society, and it continues to produce real progress. From significant federal court victories against the entities that were responsible for anti-Semitic acts at UCLA- and Stanford, to thought leadership about how civil rights laws should be enforced, the Brandeis Center continues to lead in the legal battle against anti-Semitism. In this month’s Brandeis Brief, you’ll find updates on our expanding legal impact, our policy team’s critical engagement with federal health officials, new op-eds examining the spread of anti-Semitism from STEM fields to K-12 education, and recognition of the exceptional leadership driving our work. These developments reflect meaningful gains—and underscore the urgency of the necessary work that lies ahead. In this issue: Brandeis Center Wins Big in California: Updates on UCLA, Stanford Cases Opinion: Anti-Semitism Laws Can Protect You, But You Have to Understand Them Brandeis Center Leads Critical Engagement with HHS on Anti-Semitism in Health Care Opinion: How Anti-Semitism Is Undermining Innovation in STEM VA Attorney General Urges K-12 Schools to Adopt IHRA Definition Brandeis Center General Counsel Evan Slavitt Elected to American Law Institute Content Catch-Up Brandeis Center Wins Big in California: Updates on UCLA, Stanford Cases Federal courts in California delivered significant key rulings last week, permitting two major anti-Semitism lawsuits brought by the Brandeis Center to proceed against entities at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Stanford University. The lawsuit against UCLA attempts to hold National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) and People’s City Council (PCC) liable for their roles in establishing the 2024 anti-Semitic encampment on campus. The Stanford case seeks to hold the university accountable for the defamation, hostility, and harassment of a Jewish and Israeli postdoctoral researcher. “These cases showcase the wide reach and impact of increased anti-Semitism on campuses in California, and we are gratified that the Court recognizes the gravity of the claims alleged in both,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, chairman and CEO of the Brandeis Center. “These decisions provide hope that strong, well-argued claims can have success even against powerful, well-funded organizations and higher education institutions. They show us that it is possible for the Jewish community to prevail in court, and we shouldn’t hesitate to use litigation to protect our rights when it is appropriate.” Opinion: Anti-Semitism Laws Can Protect You, But You Have to Understand Them Anti-Semitism has not disappeared, rather it has normalized at dangerously high levels, often going unreported and unchallenged across campuses, workplaces, unions, and community life. In a new op-ed for eJewishPhilanthropy, Kenneth L. Marcusexplains why understanding and asserting civil rights protections under federal law is essential to reversing that trend. Drawing on recent incidents, new data, and the Brandeis Center’s landmark legal settlements, Marcus outlines how laws like Title VI and Title VII can be used to hold institutions accountable — and why informed reporting and enforcement are now among the most powerful tools available to the Jewish community and its allies. Brandeis Center Leads Critical Engagement with HHS on Anti-Semitism in Health Care Anti-Semitism is increasingly affecting hospitals, medical schools, and health-care settings, putting both providers and patients at risk. The Brandeis Center’s Policy Team, led by Chief Policy Officer Karen Paikin Barall, convened leading Jewish organizations for high-level discussions with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights on concrete steps to address anti-Semitism in health care and medical education. Read more about the meeting in Jewish Insider. Opinion: How Anti-Semitism Is Undermining Innovation in STEM Anti-Semitism, no longer confined to the humanities or political activism on campus, is increasingly infiltrating science and technology programs, with serious consequences for innovation and academic integrity. In a new op-ed published in The Washington Times, Kenneth L. Marcus examines how ideological activism and unchecked anti-Semitism are undermining STEM fields at institutions like UC Berkeley and MIT, driving out Jewish students and researchers, and putting the future of scientific progress at risk. As universities continue to serve as the backbone of America’s research enterprise, confronting anti-Semitism across all disciplines is not optional—it is essential to protecting both academic excellence and innovation. VA Attorney General Urges K-12 Schools to Adopt IHRA Definition Brandeis Center Chairman and CEO Kenneth L. Marcus strongly commended Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares for reminding Virginia’s public K-12 schools of the need to utilize the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, even as other jurisdictions – most notably, New York City – move in the opposite direction. This supplements previous guidance that Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration had provided to higher education institutions regarding the use of the IHRA working definition by colleges and universities. Federal, state and local legislators on both sides of the aisle must create a unified front against anti-Semitism in the places that most urgently demand it. Our moral compass, and the law, requires nothing less. Brandeis Center General Counsel Evan Slavitt Elected to American Law Institute We are proud to announce that Evan Slavitt, General Counsel of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, has been elected as a member of the American Law Institute (ALI). Founded in 1923, the American Law Institute brings together leading judges, scholars, and practitioners to produce highly influential works—such as the Restatements of the Law, model codes, and legal principles—that shape court decisions, legislation, and legal education nationwide. Election to ALI membership is by invitation only and is widely regarded as a hallmark of professional distinction in the legal field. “Evan’s election to the American Law Institute reflects the depth of his legal expertise and the respect he has earned across the profession,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, Chairman and CEO of the Brandeis Center. “We are fortunate to have Evan as a new, important member of our senior leadership team, and deeply value his judgment, knowledge, and experience.” Evan’s election underscores the strength and credibility of the Brandeis Center’s legal advocacy as we continue our mission to advance civil rights and combat anti-Semitism through the law. Content Catch-Up In a new POLITICO report, former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights and Brandeis Center Chairman and CEO Kenneth L. Marcus underscored a growing recognition within higher education that anti-Semitism is a serious issue that demands sustained, enforceable action. Kenneth L. Marcus questioned Virginia Governor Spanberger’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism after her appointment of Jim Moran to the George Mason University Board, noting, “given the lengthy trail of anti-Semitism accusations that Mr. Moran has faced for a long period of years, it is surprising that Gov. Spanberger has tapped him for leadership at an institution where so many questions have arisen about anti-Semitism.” Chief Policy Officer Karen Paikin Barall weighed in on the anti-Semitic activism increasingly emerging in labor unions in this Jewish Insider article. Rory Lancman, Director of Corporate Initiatives and Senior Counsel, delivered a keynote speech on “Antisemitism, Activism, & Corporate Risk: What Business Leaders Need to Know,” at a recent meeting of the Jewish Business Network. Watch his remarks here. With 2026 in full swing, take a moment to reflect on the year just concluded—the milestones highlighted in this video show both how far we have come and the urgency of the work still ahead: