We recently recognized the two-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks, a tragedy that resulted in a surge in antisemitism in the U.S., and particularly on college campuses. The ADL in 2024 reported more than 9,000 antisemitic incidents across the United States, the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago. Moreover, a recent AEN/ADL survey reported that nearly half of Jewish faculty say they feel unwelcome in committees or campus events because of their identity, and a staggering 73.2% have observed antisemitism from faculty, staff, or administrators.
These professors are all members of the Academic Engagement Network (AEN), a national organization of faculty leaders combating antisemitism and defending academic freedom. They have spoken up and share their experience with antisemitism on campus and in their communities since October 7, what their schools have done in response, and what they think will make Jewish faculty and students feel safer.
Professor Lisa S. Schwartz, who teaches Biomedical Laboratory Sciences at the School of Medicine at George- Washington University
“Unfortunately, quickly after October 7, 2023 anti-Zionism and antisemitism became very evident at my institution, George Washington University. Images were projected on the façade of the main campus’ Gelman Library glorifying Hamas, and it became obvious that there were faculty who were supportive of students with this line of thinking. Posters of the October 7th hostages were torn down from within the GW Hillel building. In Spring 2024 I happened to be on campus on the first day an encampment was established. As I walked toward the encampment, proudly wearing my Jewish star, I heard “Zionists are not welcome here”. The encampment would ultimately feature signs saying “The Final Solution” and “Israelis go back to Europe where you came from”, the statue of George Washington was wrapped in a Keffiyeh, and the United States flag replaced by the Palestinian flag. I participated in a pro-Israel rally that occurred across campus from the encampment, proudly holding an AEN Faculty Against Antisemitism Movement sign. I began more proactively advocating for the protection of Jewish students in faculty-led working groups on which I have volunteered to serve, yet I felt like a singular voice. I knew from AEN and the Faculty Against Antisemitism Movement of affinity groups at other universities and I wanted to form one at GW with two primary purposes, one supporting Jewish students, and serving as a collective voice to address issues on campus that are threatening to members of the Jewish community. We, the GW Faculty and Staff Against Antisemitism and Hate, ultimately learned what we really needed was support among ourselves, and we have grown to be over 45 members representing GW’s libraries and nearly every college within the university.”
Professor Uzi Baram- Professor Emeritus and Director of Public Archaeology at Selby Gardens-New College of Florida
“Is it difficult to be Jewish on a college campus? I follow the rhythm of Jewish life: Friday late afternoon means preparation for Shabbat with a family dinner being at the center, and occasionally Friday synagogue services, Saturday morning might be synagogue or an outing for inspiration (for instance, a nature hike), and holidays matter. That is not typical for the majority at the small liberal arts college where I spent my career. Most understood, some were antagonistic. I did not mind being different. But I understand undergraduates wrestling with their differences from the majority, figuring out their identity and their surroundings. Over the last few years, accelerating since the Hamas pogrom of October 7, 2023, the challenges have grown for students, staff, and faculty. My answer has been to be there for students and colleagues, to mourn and be concerned, but also to celebrate Jewish heritage and joy. Trained in archaeology, I take a long-term perspective: we have seen this before, can learn lessons from the past, and have hope for a good future. My ancestors did not give up, and neither will I.”
Professor Amy Milligan- Batten Endowed Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies, and Director of the Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding-Old Dominion University
“As a liberal Jewish Zionist and feminist professor, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of antisemitism on me, my students, my colleagues, and my field. It’s not enough to just call out hate; we need to have the moral courage and conviction to create spaces for honest, respectful dialogue. That’s why I’m deeply committed to interfaith work and bridge-building as a pathway toward peace. When we center relationships and shared values, we can challenge prejudice without deepening polarization.”
Professor Gregory Brown- Professor of History-University of Nevada, Las Vegas
“The last two years have been, of course, challenging for our Israeli and Jewish community at UNLV. But it has also really brought us together; the multiple student groups formed a coalition, and the faculty and staff formed an affinity group, which has benefited tremendously from our affiliation with the national AEN. We’ve formed a ‘Task Force’ to work with students, community leaders like our federation (Jewish Nevada), the executive director of ADL Nevada, the policy director for the Israeli-American Council, and Hillel nationally to study ways to advance the campus climate for Jewish students and all students.
Las Vegas has a vibrant and strong Jewish community, but two years ago, UNLV was largely disconnected from that. Through heartbreak and through the pressure of hostility from small but toxic advocate groups, our students have shown resilience, grace, creativity, and strength.
It’s been inspiring for me to be able to work with them and with my colleagues across campus, and we feel we have won the support of the administration and forged stronger ties to the community.
There’s a lot of work left to do in engaging some parts of the faculty in dialogue, but having the support locally and nationally of our student leaders, my colleagues, and the AEN makes me feel optimistic about the prospects for Jewish life at UNLV.”
Professor Michael Saenger- Professor of English-Southwestern University
“Southwestern University, like many other colleges, has felt the impact of the nationwide rise in antisemitism and other forms of bias. It is a daunting challenge to balance academic freedom, respect for diversity and how to set the terms of civil engagement. We are a student-focused university, so I’m very proud of our initiative to develop a fully welcoming campus through the “Student Bias Ambassador Program.”
Professor Geoffrey Braswell- Professor of Anthropology- University of California, San Diego
“Antisemitic rhetoric and action have been building at UCSD for years. Even before 7 October we were treated to a swastika painted in human feces and other displays, especially each April. Since 7 October, events have been disrupted by protestors. For example, on 19 May 2025, Israeli Ambassador Ido Aharoni, a visiting scholar at UCSD, tried to give a colloquium but was shouted down. People attending his talk were verbally intimidated and physically accosted. Ambassador Aharoni has since stated that he will not return to UCSD to teach “because UCSD cannot guarantee my safety.” This was a blatant violation of his Title VII right to work and the Title VI right to learn of those in attendance. The campus police at the event did not even intervene to help students, donors, and other visitors leave in safety. This was more than a shanda, it was an international incident and UCSD did nothing to prevent it.
Antisemitism all too often emerges in our classrooms under the guise of the critique of settler-colonialism, especially in Marshall College’s Dimension of Culture Program and in many required DEI courses offered by Ethnic Studies, Anthropology, and other departments. Two courses, “Race and Racisms” and “Debating Multiculturalism” (in which there is no debate) have been quite problematic. I believe very strongly in affirmative action but–like many noble ideas in the USA–DEI has become an industrial complex and a multi-billion-dollar industry. At UCSD, DEI efforts often are very much part of the problem underlying antisemitism and ethnic hatred. When told that protestors are chanting “There is only one solution, intifada revolution,” DEI officers look with barely concealed disdain on those who complain and say that references to genocide and suicide bombing are just free speech. There needs to be a balance between First Amendment rights and Title VI and VII protections. The latter have not received enough attention at UCSD. We need better ways to build tolerance and mutual respect that do not depend on the institutionalized bureaucracy of DEI.”
Professor Amy Werman-Recently retired from Columbia School of Social Work- Columbia University
“A Tale of Two Memorials at Columbia”
Last year, about thirty minutes into our October 7 memorial ceremony at a university-designated area on the campus quad, hundreds of anti-Israel protesters descended on the space and positioned themselves directly beside our group. Our speakers were quickly drowned out by chants and drumming aimed in our direction. When their chanting paused, the masked crowd marched around the quad before stopping in front of the Jewish students’ memorial, shouting “Intifada” and “From the river to the sea.”
Despite the disruption, the Jewish, Israeli, and allied students and faculty completed the ceremony. Still, there was deep frustration with the university administration for failing to enforce basic parameters of time, place, and manner, and for not intervening to stop a protest that had not been formally approved. (This occurred during the tenure of Interim President Katrina Armstrong.)
In contrast, this year’s October 7 memorial proceeded peacefully and without interruption. The difference was clear: the administration actively created, communicated, and enforced policies requiring that all events surrounding the date be registered in advance. Security was also visibly increased, with gated-off areas and a strong Columbia Public Safety presence across the quad. These measures ensured that mourners could commemorate the lives lost on that tragic day in dignity and safety. (This occurred under Interim President Claire Shipman, shortly after Columbia’s high-profile encounter with former President Trump.)
That said, anti-Israel sentiment on campus remains visible. Some groups had promoted a “vigil” meant to coincide with the memorial, but it never materialized—likely because they failed to register it in time. Still, during our event, flyers containing inflammatory messages were thrown from building windows and scattered across campus.”
