Brandeis has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations as well as the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In February 2023, during an on-campus protest, students chanted an Arabic version of, “Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want Zionists here.”

In the wake of the October 7 terrorist attacks, “From the river to the sea” graffiti was found on campus, and anti-Zionist rhetoric has been used during anti-Israel rallies on campus.

In October 2024, a newspaper in the Brandeis University Library containing an article advocating for creating a Hillel House on campus was defaced with messages that read "Zionist" and "The Holocaust killed bundists like me not Zionists like you."

University Policies and Responsive Action

Brandeis was the first private university to revoke official recognition of its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter due to the group’s activity on campus in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attack. The Brandeis Student Union also issued a statement “strongly condemn[ing] Hamas, including their recent and horrific terrorist attacks against Israel.”

Brandeis has an established partnership with the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and has received funding for new classes on antisemitism. The Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies recently published a report titled In the Shadow of War: Hotspots of Antisemitism on US College Campuses.

The University has launched the Presidential Initiative to Counter Antisemitism in Higher Education, aimed at educating university administrators about addressing antisemitism. The University also provides mandatory antisemitism education for its campus community and openly pursues a policy of active engagement with and support of Israel.

The University has made clear that phrases such as “From the river to the sea” are hate speech and contrary to the University’s Principles.

In response to anti-Israel encampments nationwide, the University announced that it would extend its deadline for transfer applications, encouraging Jewish students who feel unsafe on their campuses to consider applying to Brandeis.

In advance of the 2024-25 academic year, the administration circulated the Campus Use of Space policy to the entire campus community, underscoring that encampments are prohibited and that third parties are not permitted to join campus protests.

The University has also concluded its series of virtual seminars on "Navigating Antisemitism on Campus and Beyond;" held an in-person daylong symposium for middle and high school leaders and educators; launched its first weeklong in-person Summer Institute on Countering Antisemitism in Higher Education; held an executive seminar on antisemitism for Jewish Community Center Leaders; and continued work on its Israel Initiative to expand partnerships with Israeli institutions and scholars.

Brandeis has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations as well as the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In February 2023, during an on-campus protest, students chanted an Arabic version of, “Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want Zionists here.”

In the wake of the October 7 terrorist attacks, “From the river to the sea” graffiti was found on campus, and anti-Zionist rhetoric has been used during anti-Israel rallies on campus.

In October 2024, a newspaper in the Brandeis University Library containing an article advocating for creating a Hillel House on campus was defaced with messages that read "Zionist" and "The Holocaust killed bundists like me not Zionists like you."

University Policies and Responsive Action

Brandeis was the first private university to revoke official recognition of its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter due to the group’s activity on campus in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attack. The Brandeis Student Union also issued a statement “strongly condemn[ing] Hamas, including their recent and horrific terrorist attacks against Israel.”

Brandeis has an established partnership with the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and has received funding for new classes on antisemitism. The Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies recently published a report titled In the Shadow of War: Hotspots of Antisemitism on US College Campuses.

The University has launched the Presidential Initiative to Counter Antisemitism in Higher Education, aimed at educating university administrators about addressing antisemitism. The University also provides mandatory antisemitism education for its campus community and openly pursues a policy of active engagement with and support of Israel.

The University has made clear that phrases such as “From the river to the sea” are hate speech and contrary to the University’s Principles.

In response to anti-Israel encampments nationwide, the University announced that it would extend its deadline for transfer applications, encouraging Jewish students who feel unsafe on their campuses to consider applying to Brandeis.

In advance of the 2024-25 academic year, the administration circulated the Campus Use of Space policy to the entire campus community, underscoring that encampments are prohibited and that third parties are not permitted to join campus protests.

The University has also concluded its series of virtual seminars on "Navigating Antisemitism on Campus and Beyond;" held an in-person daylong symposium for middle and high school leaders and educators; launched its first weeklong in-person Summer Institute on Countering Antisemitism in Higher Education; held an executive seminar on antisemitism for Jewish Community Center Leaders; and continued work on its Israel Initiative to expand partnerships with Israeli institutions and scholars.