Throughout the month of September, the Brandeis Center continued our mission to confront and combat anti-Semitism wherever it appears. From advancing our lawsuit against MIT after a new victim courageously came forward, to securing a critical victory at UMass Amherst against discriminatory boycotts, to testifying before multiple congressional committees on the spread of anti-Semitism in schools and labor unions, the Brandeis Center remains at the forefront of protecting Jewish rights through legal action, advocacy, and education. At this meaningful time when many Jews pause to reflect and welcome a new year, we remain vigilant. We are grateful for your partnership, which sustains our mission to protect Jewish civil rights and ensure that all Jews can freely celebrate their faith and express their identity without fear of retribution. Your support is critical to ensuring we can continue this work and if you are able, we ask you to please consider making a High Holiday gift to strengthen this work. Shana Tovah! In this Issue: New Victim Comes Forward in Existing Anti-Semitism Lawsuit Against MIT Following Brandeis Center Demand Letter, UMASS Amherst to Prevent Conference from Boycotting Israelis Brandeis Center Testifies before Congressional Committees and Religious Liberty Commission Adelphi University Rules Faculty Member Created Hostile Environment for Jews on Campus Webinar Recording: The Explosion and Evolution of Anti-Semitism Brandeis Center Adds Chief Development Officer Content Catch Up New Victim Comes Forward in Existing Anti-Semitism Lawsuit Against MIT The Brandeis Center filed an amended complaint in our lawsuit against Massachusetts Institute of Technology, bringing forward a new victim and new allegations that MIT has allowed an anti-Semitic climate to persist. Despite reporting incidents to campus administration and MIT President Sally Kornbluth, the University did not take action to address the anti-Semitism. These new claims build on similar allegations from the Brandeis Center’s June complaint. Anti-Semitism continues to persist at MIT — MIT has had countless opportunities to stop the harassment and abuse and protect its Israeli and Jewish students and faculty. Instead, anti-Semitism has only worsened, made possible by the administration’s continued negligence. Following Brandeis Center Demand Letter, UMass Amherst to Prevent Conference from Boycotting Israelis After the Brandeis Center sent a letter to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University announced that the upcoming Coalition of Women in German (WiG) annual academic conference must suspend its Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy during the conference because it violates University anti-discrimination policies, and must make clear on its conference website that there are no restrictions on participation. “UMass affirming that BDS violates its anti-discrimination policies is an important precedent that other universities must follow,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, Chairman and CEO of the Brandeis Center. Rory Lancman, Senior Counsel, added, “UMAss has shown real leadership by thwarting this attempt to bring unlawful discrimination to its campus, and we expect other universities to act likewise.” Brandeis Center Testifies before Congressional Committees and Religious Liberty Commission Throughout the month, Brandeis Center leaders, in addition to one of our clients, testified about the different manifestations of anti-Semitism across committee hearings. Religious Liberty Commission First, Brandeis Center President Alyza D. Lewin testified before the Religious Liberty Commission hearing on religious liberty in public education. Her remarks highlighted the pervasive, growing problem of anti-Semitism in K-12 schools, spotlighting cases where the Brandeis Center has supported clients facing bullying, harassment, and discrimination for being Jewish, or even being perceived as Jewish. In her powerful testimony, she emphasized: “It is never okay to demand that Jews disavow their history and heritage in order to be accepted.”Watch her full testimony and the questions that followed below: U.S. House Committee on Education & Workforce Brandeis Center Vice Chair Rachel Lerman testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education & Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education at a hearing entitled “From Playground to Classroom: The Spread of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools.” Her testimony highlighted the growing problem of anti-Semitism in K-12 schools, spotlighting the impact that anti-Semitic messaging by teachers and third-party contractors has had on worsening anti-Semitic harassment for students. In her powerful testimony, she urged Congress “to act decisively to ensure that our civil rights laws are enforced, that schools are held accountable, and that every child in America is able to learn in an environment free from fear and hostility.” Watch her opening testimony below: Additionally, Ms. Kyle Koeppel Mann, Senior Staff Attorney at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) and client of the Brandeis Center, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education & Workforce, Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions at a hearing entitled, “Unmasking Union Antisemitism.” Watch her opening testimony below: Adelphi University Rules Faculty Member Created Hostile Environment for Jews on Campus The Brandeis Center commended Adelphi University for ruling that a faculty member, who is also a member of Adelphi’s Bias Response Team and faculty appointments committee, created a hostile environment for Jews on campus. The Brandeis Center’s client – who filed the complaint against the faculty member – had also filed a complaint that led to Adelphi’s recent decision to suspend and then place on one-year disciplinary probation Adelphi’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter. The Brandeis Center now demands that the University follow through with appropriate remedial action to protect Adelphi’s Jewish community. Webinar Recording: The Explosion and Evolution of Anti-Semitism In a webinar earlier this month, attorney Jonathan Segal discussed examples of anti-Semitic discrimination and harassment that can occur in the workplace and steps employers should take to prevent and respond to them. Brandeis Center leaders Kenneth L. Marcus and Alyza D. Lewin also joined the conversation.Watch this important discussion here: Brandeis Center Adds Chief Development Officer Shirley Hartman Hamilton joined the Brandeis Center as Chief Development Officer, where she will lead the expansion of fundraising strategies and optimize fundraising operations and infrastructure. “As anti-Semitism rises, so, too, must we rise to eradicate it when it rears its ugly head. We are confident that Shirley’s extensive expertise in the fundraising space will help us become more equipped than ever to address the growing threat of racism on college campuses, in workplaces, and across the country,” shared Kenneth L. Marcus. Ms. Hartman shared her excitement to join the team, adding that “what excites me most is that the Center doesn’t merely respond to incidents—it shapes legal precedent, influences public discourse, and empowers future generations through education and advocacy. It is an honor to lead the fundraising program for the Brandeis Center, and I look forward to securing the resources necessary to advance this critical and impactful mission.” Content Catch Up: Amid news of a potential settlement between Harvard University and the federal government, Kenneth Marcus appeared on Fox News to share what we might expect from a settlement, and what Harvard needs to do to meaningfully address anti-Semitism on campus. Watch the segment here. Senior Counsel Rory Lancman joined Jewish ERGs for a webinar, “Championing Jewish Belonging: The Legal Imperative for Jewish Employee Resource Groups.” Watch this conversation on the legal and business case for Jewish ERGs. Kenneth Marcus joined a panel at The Federalist Society’s 2025 Education Law & Policy Conference, “Federal Efforts to Combat Antisemitism: Restoring Campus Civil Rights or Infringing Academic Freedom?” Kenneth Marcus expressed confidence in Secretary McMahon’s efforts to address campus anti-Semitism in conversation with Jewish Insider. The Brandeis Center joined a meeting with pro-Israel leaders on Capitol Hill, where Speaker Johnson and others reiterated efforts to combat anti-Semitism in the U.S. Stop Hate in Schools interviewed two Brandeis Center attorneys, Jeff Lang, Senior Litigation Counsel, and Deena Margolies, Staff Attorney, to talk about our work and our partnership with The Louis D. Brandeis Center Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism. Read their conversation here.