The University of Pittsburgh has an active Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life organizations.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In January 2024, members of the campus SJP protested an event at Hillel featuring an IDF soldier.

In April 2024, a student wrote "Free Palestine and f*** all Jews" in chalk on campus grounds. That same day, at an anti-Israel encampment on campus, protesters displayed messages that included: "Resistance is justified when people are occupied" and "Globalize the Intifada."

In August 2024, two Jewish students wearing yarmulkes were attacked by a man wielding a glass bottle. The perpetrator of this incident was not affiliated with the University and the University's campus security acted quickly, arresting the individual. The University also promptly released a statement condemning the attack. In September 2024, a Jewish student was attacked in an area off-campus by a group of six to eight men who shouted antisemitic slurs, including “Free Palestine” and “F*** Jews.”

That same month, at an anti-Israel rally, protesters held signs with messages that included: “Zionism kills.”

University Policies and Responsive Action

As a result of the attacks on Jewish students, the University said that it is providing resources to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department to ensure security officers are available as escorts to Jewish members of the campus community as they attend religious services during the High Holidays.

The Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Pitt promotes multiple definitions of antisemitism, including the IHRA definition, as part of its efforts to address discriminatory behavior. In Spring 2025, the University plans to host a session on confronting antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism.

In December 2024, in response to antisemitic incidents on campus, the Chancellor and the provost authorized a working group to address antisemitism, designed to engage proactively with the University and the broader Pittsburgh community to analyze and address antisemitism and its impact on the campus climate. 

Throughout 2024 and 2025, the University has organized a series of educational sessions, including a StandWithUs Training on Antisemitism and an Annual Social Justice Symposium that included a session on understanding the complexities and historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In March 2025, the University hosted the traveling exhibition on ‘Lessons from The Tree of Life,' which showcases items from the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting at the Tree of Life building. The University has also partnered with JCC Maccabi Games to host the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games on the University campus in August 2025. This will be the first ever JCC Maccabi Games to be held on a university campus.

*Following the implementation of new policy actions and the submission of new information, University of Pittsburgh’s 2025 grade was revised from a D to a C on April 4, 2025.