Brandeis University

Brandeis University

2025
Grade

A

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2025 Report Card

Publicly Disclosed Administrative Actions Above Expectations
Jewish Life on Campus Excellent
Campus Conduct and Climate Concerns Low to None

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.

Criteria

Above Expectations

Publicly Disclosed Administrative Actions i

Key
Publicly Disclosed Administrative Actions
Above Expectations
Meeting Expectations
Below Expectations
This college was not assessed on the specified criteria.
Full ADL Criteria Details →
Antisemitism included in Code of Conduct and Policies
Clear process for reporting antisemitic incidents
Advisory council to address antisemitism
Clear religious accommodations policy
Mandatory antisemitism education for students and staff
Has an official position against BDS
Publicly condemns antisemitic incidents
Partnerships with Israeli institutions
Conducts surveys to assess Jewish student experiences
Civil discourse initiatives on campus
Clear time, place and manner policies
Participated in program to address antisemitism
Excellent

Jewish Life on Campus i

Key
Jewish Life on Campus
Excellent
Satisfactory
Subpar
This college was not assessed on the specified criteria.
Full ADL Criteria Details →
Active Hillel, Chabad, or other Jewish student organization
Jewish Greek life
Jewish studies program or class
Kosher dining
Interfaith initiatives on campus
School promotes awareness of Jewish holidays
Israel studies or study abroad programs
Rabbi/Jewish educator
Jewish religious services
Jewish alumni group
Jewish staff and faculty group
Partnerships with Jewish organizations
Active pro-Israel group
Low to None

Campus Conduct and Climate Concerns i

Key
Campus Conduct and Climate Concerns
Low to none
Medium
High

*Incident levels reflect the number of incidents relative to the total student population on campus. 'Severe' and 'other' incidents were only counted if they were recorded between April 2024 and December 2024.

Full ADL Criteria Details →
Level of severe antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents
Level of other antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents
Level of hostile anti-Zionist student government activity
Level of hostile anti-Zionist student groups 
Level of hostile anti-Zionist staff and faculty activity

Brandeis University contributed information to our assessment.

This page was last updated on Mar 3, 2025, 10:15 am