From the courtroom to Capitol Hill, the Brandeis Center continues to lead the charge against rising anti-Semitism across the country. This month, we filed a major federal lawsuit against MIT, advocated for civil rights in Congress, and welcomed new leadership to drive our policy efforts forward. Catch up on the latest legal actions, thought leadership, and opportunities to join our mission. In this issue: Brandeis Center Sues MIT Over Campus Anti-Semitism Kenneth L. Marcus Testifies Before Congress About Rising Anti-Semitism Amicus Brief Filed Regarding Harvard’s Adoption of IHRA Justice Department Sues Jerusalem Coffee House Brandeis Center Welcomes First Chief Policy Officer We’re Hiring: General Counsel Content Catch Up: Podcasts, Interviews, and More Brandeis Center Sues MIT Over Campus Anti-Semitism Last week, the Brandeis Center filed a new federal lawsuit on behalf of Jewish students, researchers, and faculty at MIT. The complaint alleges that a tenured MIT professor subjected students to anti-Semitic harassment—accusing one of carrying a “Jewish mind infection” and exposing another’s identity after learning of their IDF service—while the university failed to intervene. “This is a textbook example of neglect and indifference,” Kenneth L. Marcus, chairman and CEO of the Brandeis Center, told Jewish Insider. “Not only were several anti-Semitic incidents conducted at the hands of a professor, but MIT’s administration refused to take action on every single occasion.” This case underscores growing concerns about unchecked anti-Semitism on elite campuses and the institutional failures to protect Jewish students. Read more about details from the lawsuit on MassLive.ior counsel Rory Lancman told the New York Post. Kenneth L. Marcus Testifies Before Congress About Rising Anti-Semitism On June 24, Chairman and CEO Kenneth L. Marcus testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight at a hearing, “Rising Threat: America’s Battle Against Antisemitic Terror.” The hearing examined the domestic conditions giving rise to anti-Semitic attacks in the United States, as well as the steps the Trump administration is taking to combat it. Marcus emphasized how world events have emboldened anti-Semitic actors in the United States, and how skyrocketing anti-Semitism threatens all Americans and western civilization: “We know that what begins with the Jews does not end with the Jews. This lethal unrest is a threat to all Americans, and it must be stopped.” Read Mr. Marcus’s testimony and watch his remarks below Amicus Brief Filed Regarding Harvard’s Adoption of IHRA The Brandeis Center filed an amicus brief in federal court urging the judge to reject recent filings that oppose Harvard’s agreement to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition and examples of anti-Semitism as part of its anti-discrimination policy, a result of its settlement with the Brandeis Center. These opposing briefs—submitted by groups including Jewish Voice for Peace and the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee—challenge the legitimacy of IHRA and Harvard’s settlement with the Brandeis Center. The Brandeis Center argues that the opposing briefs are both outside the scope of the litigation and based on mischaracterizations of the IHRA definition, which is widely recognized by federal agencies and world leaders as a key tool for identifying and addressing anti-Semitism. The brief emphasizes that IHRA clearly distinguishes between legitimate political criticism of Israel and anti-Semitic conduct, and that its use does not infringe on free speech or unlawfully define Jewish identity. By defending Harvard’s use of the IHRA definition, the Brandeis Center reinforces the importance of clear and consistent standards in combating anti-Semitic harassment and upholding civil rights protections. Read more about the Brandeis Center’s amicus brief on the blog. Justice Department Sues Jerusalem Coffee House The U.S. Department of Justice announced a civil rights lawsuit against the Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, following a separate lawsuit filed by the Brandeis Center in March on behalf of Jonathan Hirsch, a Jewish father who was forcibly removed from the café because he was wearing a Star of David hat. As Senior Counsel Omer Wiczyk told KQED, “the Justice Department is stepping in and doing exactly what it’s supposed to be doing — which is not letting people or businesses in this country think it’s OK to exclude Jews because they’re Jews.” Brandeis Center Welcomes First Chief Policy Officer The Brandeis Center is thrilled to announce that Karen Paikin Barall, former Vice President of Government Relations for Jewish Federations of North America, will be joining the organization as Chief Policy Officer. In this role, Paikin Barall will lead the multi-year public policy, advocacy, and communications strategy to advance the Brandeis Center’s mission across all levels of government and the public arena. “This work is deeply personal to me. I’ve devoted my career to the intersection of government, advocacy, and the Jewish community — driven by a belief that strong public policy, principled leadership, and the rule of law are essential to protecting our communities,” said Paikin Barall. Read more about the announcement here. We’re Hiring: General Counsel The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law is seeking an experienced and mission-driven General Counsel to lead our cutting-edge legal initiatives combating anti-Semitism and advancing civil and human rights. This is a unique opportunity to join a national nonprofit on the front lines of legal advocacy — where your expertise can help shape the future of Jewish civil rights. 🔹 Position: General Counsel🔹 Location: Washington, DC🔹 Status: Full-time, senior leadership🔹 Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis Key Responsibilities Include: Overseeing and managing complex legal cases Providing strategic leadership on litigation and policy matters Supervising legal staff and working directly with clients and partners Collaborating with national coalitions and government agencies 📄 View Full Job Description Content Catch Up: Podcasts, Interviews, and More Kenneth L. Marcus spoke with Hans Von Spakovsky on the Case in Point podcast to discuss “The Mortal Storm: Anti-Semitism Invades America’s Universities.” Watch the episode here. The Brandeis Center’s President Alyza D. Lewin joined NBC News for a powerful segment addressing the alarming rise in anti-Semitic attacks. Watch the segment here. In an op-ed for Fox News, Kenneth L. Marcus warns that anti-Zionist extremism has morphed into a transnational movement targeting Jews on college campuses and beyond: The global intifada is here. Hamas-aligned networks brought terror to US soil and we need to stop it. In an op-ed for 1819 News, U.S. Senator Katie Britt issued a powerful call to action against the rising tide of anti-Semitism in America, spotlighting the importance of moral clarity and national unity. The article highlights insights from Alyza D. Lewin, who emphasized that anti-Semitism “isn’t just a Jewish problem, but one that needs to be addressed by the entire society.” Sen. Britt reiterated Ms. Lewin’s push to adopt the IHRA definition to make clear the critical distinction between a legitimate political debate on the state of global affairs and the vilification of Jews. After New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order adopting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, Kenneth L. Marcus commended the move, saying “IHRA provides a clear framework for law enforcement, educators, and all local officials to properly identify and address anti-Semitism in all its forms.” Kimberly Richey, the nominee for the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, spoke about solidifying Title VI protections amid rising campus anti-Semitism. Kenneth L. Marcus endorsed her proposed regulations, noting that it would “be important for giving durability…to the fundamental notion that Jewish civil rights are protected under Title VI.” Join the Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism We are proud to share the launch of theLouis D. Brandeis Center Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism—a powerful new initiative uniting people of conscience in the fight to eliminate anti-Semitism and defend civil and human rights for all. Together as one, the Coalition promotes justice, equality, and the fundamental rights of the Jewish people—rights too often threatened by discrimination, harassment, and hatred. The Brandeis Center partners with the Coalition to advance civil and human rights. Join the Coalition today and be part of the solution. Membership is free of charge and obligation.