Wake Forest University (WFU) has a Hillel, Chabad and Jewish Greek life on campus.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In November 2023, a professor announced her resignation following backlash over a social media post supporting Hamas.

In April 2024, at an anti-Israel encampment, protesters wrote messages in chalk that included "From the river to the sea."

In May 2024, antisemitic vandalism was discovered on campus. In September 2024, controversy arose over a scheduled lecture by Rabab Abdulhadi, known for her allegedly antisemitic rhetoric, with calls for the cancellation of the event which coincided with the anniversary of the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The event was later canceled by Wake Forest.

University Policies and Responsive Action

Following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, WFU President Wente provided guidance and reassurance to the campus community, condemning acts of antisemitism and Islamophobia while promoting unity through the "Holding Space" events hosted by the University's Office of Wellbeing and Counseling Center. That same month, President Wente also published “A Guide in Moments of Crisis: ‘For Humanity’" blog giving guidance to the campus community on how to take care of each other in the aftermath of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

Following the antisemitic vandalism in May 2024, the university reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for hate speech, and investigations were launched to address these actions.

In October 2024, both the Provost and the President of the university attended the October 7th vigil – commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel – that was hosted by Hillel and Chabad.

The university has also launched an Initiative on Religion, Pluralism, and American Public Life for the 2024-2025 academic year. This inaugural program focuses on examining intersections in Jewish and Christian thought, along with broader themes of religious pluralism and democracy.