Advocacy Toolkit: Confronting Antisemitism on Campus
Antisemitism on college campuses has reached crisis levels, with ADL recording 1,694 incidents in 2024 – an 84% increase from the previous year and representing 18% of all antisemitic incidents nationwide. More than 83% of Jewish college students have experienced or witnessed antisemitism since October 2023, and their sense of safety has plummeted from 67% feeling physically safe before October 7, 2023, to only 46% feeling safe afterward.
This advocacy toolkit equips students, parents, educators, staff, administrators and allies with practical tools to identify, report and respond to antisemitic incidents, addressing the critical gap revealed by the fact that 92.5% of incidents go unreported to campus authorities. By working together with shared knowledge and evidence-based strategies, we can build educational communities where antisemitism has no place and all members can thrive.
Identify
Antisemitism on college campuses takes many forms, ranging from verbal harassment, offensive comments and problematic rhetoric to physical intimidation and systematic exclusion from campus activities. These various manifestations can work together to create hostile environments that at times force Jewish students to hide their identity and self-censor their views, fundamentally undermining their ability to participate fully in educational life.
Jewish campus community members need to know their federal civil rights protections under Title VI and Title VII because under certain circumstances these laws make antisemitism illegal discrimination, giving victims legal recourse through federal agencies and the power to hold universities accountable. Universities receiving federal funding are legally required to address discrimination and follow their own anti-discrimination policies, or risk facing federal investigations and penalties that could include losing funding.
Universities must also enforce their own published anti-discrimination policies. When Jewish students, faculty, and staff understand their legal protections, they can move from feeling helpless about antisemitism to taking concrete action that can stop discrimination and protect others in their community.
Report
Reporting antisemitic incidents is crucial because universities cannot address problems they don't know about, and the alarming fact that 92.5% of incidents go unreported means most antisemitism remains invisible to administrators who could take action. Individual reports contribute to systemic change by providing data for policy development, resource allocation, and advocacy efforts that benefit the entire Jewish campus community.
Breaking the silence through reporting transforms isolated incidents into opportunities for institutional accountability and meaningful change that creates safer environments for all Jewish students, faculty, and staff.
We encourage you to report through your college or university or to ADL.
Take Action
Your experiences, perspectives, and advocacy efforts as a member of the Jewish campus community carry significant weight in the fight against antisemitism. When you speak up, share your story, and take action, you not only protect yourself and others but also contribute to creating the cultural and policy changes needed to build a truly inclusive campus environment. Every voice that refuses to accept antisemitism as normal helps shift campus climate toward justice and accountability.
When confronted with antisemitic incidents, your first priority must be ensuring physical safety – assess the situation for potential danger, seek immediate help if threatened, and focus on de-escalation rather than confrontation to avoid making dangerous situations worse.
Once your safety is assured, here are some actions you can take:
- Write a letter to your university president:
- Join or create a Jewish/Zionist Employee Resource Group.
- Learn how to counter BDS on your campus.
- Join the ADL Campus Staff Action Network.
Thank You for Your Commitment
Thank you for your interest in advocating for the Jewish campus community. Your willingness to take action against antisemitism represents hope for creating educational environments where everyone can thrive without fear of discrimination. Whether you're a Jewish community member or an ally, your voice matters in this critical work.
We encourage you to explore the additional resources linked below for deeper guidance on advocacy strategies, legal protections and reporting procedures. Together, we can build campus communities that uphold the values of respect, dignity and equal opportunity for all.
- Not On My Campus site
- Unified Campus Agenda
- What to Ask For: Six Asks and Best Practices Guide
- Campus Antisemitism Report Card
- Campus Briefing
- Think. Plan. Act.
You can always reach out to [email protected] for more individualized support.