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By: Meir Wolfsheim
A troubling new report reveals that antisemitism on U.S. college campuses has reached alarming levels, leaving Jewish students feeling unwelcome and unsupported. According to findings from StopAntisemitism, a civil-rights group, 72% of Jewish students feel unwelcome in certain campus spaces, and more than half have experienced antisemitic incidents firsthand. The report, detailed by the New York Post, paints a grim picture of the challenges facing Jewish students today.
StopAntisemitism evaluated over two dozen universities, grading their efforts to combat antisemitism. Among the worst performers were Cornell University and The New School in New York City, both earning a failing “F” grade. The report highlighted Cornell’s history professor Russell Rickford for his remarks expressing “exhilaration” over the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and cited student Patrick Dai’s threats to harm Jewish peers as examples of the school’s hostile environment.
At The New School, antisemitic incidents included faculty and protesters taking over campus buildings and an overwhelming 75% of surveyed Jewish students reporting direct experiences with antisemitism. According to StopAntisemitism, 95% of Jewish students at the Greenwich Village school said they do not feel welcome on campus, and 83% would not recommend the university to others.
Alarming Statistics
The survey unearthed shocking realities:
72% of Jewish students feel unwelcome in certain spaces on campus simply for being Jewish.
52% have personally experienced antisemitism at their schools.
67% feel their universities failed to take adequate action following the Hamas October 7 massacre in Israel.
43% hide their Jewish identity due to fear of backlash.
87% of students who reported antisemitic incidents believe their schools mishandled investigations.
StopAntisemitism also revealed that a staggering 69% of Jewish students feel blamed for actions taken by the Israeli government, primarily by pro-Palestinian groups. The report described incidents where mezuzahs were torn from doorways, Jewish students were physically attacked, and individuals faced death threats from mobs chanting genocidal slogans.
A Systemic Failure
“Universities are failing their Jewish students, often leaving them vulnerable and unsupported,” the report stated, as quoted by the New York Post. StopAntisemitism reported a “jaw-dropping” 3,000% increase in antisemitic complaints since the Hamas attacks, forcing the organization to triple its staffing to handle the influx.
Liora Rez, founder of StopAntisemitism, told the Post, “This is not an isolated issue; it’s a systemic failure of leadership. Administrations across the country have made zero meaningful efforts to ensure Jewish students feel safe expressing their identity.”
Several other universities also received failing grades, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, and the University of California-Davis. Columbia University, infamous for hosting some of the nation’s most vitriolic antisemitic protests, was not evaluated this year but earned an “F” in 2022.
Bright Spots and Continued Challenges
Amid the bleak findings, three universities—Baylor, Clemson, and Elon—earned “A” grades for their supportive environments. Hofstra University received a “C,” while Vassar College and Stanford University were rated “D.”
The New York Post underscored the urgency of addressing these issues. Rez emphasized that the consistency of poor evaluations year after year highlights a widespread failure to protect Jewish students.
The Path Forward
As antisemitism continues to surge on campuses, institutions face mounting pressure to take decisive action. The report’s findings is a reminder that for many Jewish students, attending college means navigating a hostile environment.
