From August 11–14, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law hosted its annual Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The program brought together law students from across the country, including from campuses such as Yale, Cardozo, Boston University, Brooklyn Law, and the University of Maryland, for an intensive series of workshops, lectures, and discussions on the fight against anti-Semitism in higher education and beyond. Students were joined by Brandeis Center staff, who provided in-depth training on the Center’s mission, its legal strategies, and the ways students can contribute to this critical work as they advance in their own legal careers. The conference opened with remarks from Brandeis Center Chairman and CEO Kenneth Marcus, who outlined the vision of the organization and shared how his groundbreaking work at the U.S. Department of Education shaped the legal framework that now enables the Brandeis Center to use Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campuses and in K–12 schools. Brandeis Center President Alyza Lewin followed with a discussion of the importance of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, and how its adoption has strengthened protections for Jewish students. Building on this, attorneys Denise Katz-Prober and Rachel Lerman led an engaging session exploring Title VI in greater detail, including the intersection with First Amendment concerns. Their case studies and real-world examples grounded the legal theory in practice, giving students a clearer picture of how these issues play out on campuses nationwide. Beyond the classroom-style sessions, students also visited the Museum of the Bible, where they saw firsthand historical and archaeological evidence of the Jewish people’s continuous existence, in the Land of Israel, deepening the context of the previous day’s conversations. The following sessions expanded the scope to topics such as international law, academic freedom, and Title VII employment protections, offering a comprehensive view of how the Brandeis Center approaches its advocacy. Students also walked step-by-step through the process Brandeis Center attorneys use when responding to student complaints, before applying what they had learned in practical hypothetical exercises designed to simulate real-life campus scenarios. Among the highlights of the conference was a conversation with Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. Drawing on her decades of scholarship and current role in government, Ambassador Lipstadt offered a unique perspective on how to confront anti-Semitism both domestically and internationally. Her remarks reinforced the urgency of the Brandeis Center’s work and inspired students to consider the many ways they, too, can be part of this fight. Students also had the rare opportunity to hear from Nathan Lewin, one of the most prominent Jewish lawyers in the country, who shared stories from his storied career arguing landmark cases to protect Jewish religious freedom and civil rights. His insights illustrated the profound impact that skilled legal advocacy can have on the Jewish community and on the broader landscape of American law. By the close of the conference, students left with a deeper understanding of the Brandeis Center’s mission, the legal tools available to protect Jewish students, and the different paths they can pursue to make a difference. The Student Leadership Conference not only equipped participants with knowledge but also strengthened their sense of purpose in joining the growing network of future lawyers dedicated to advancing justice and fighting anti-Semitism. September 30, 2025 Authored by: Bailey Spitz