Mission
Founded in 2023 in response to surging antisemitism on American campuses, the Brandeis University President's Initiative on Antisemitism honors Brandeis’ distinct responsibility to the Jewish community and to the ideals of higher education.
Brandeis, as a research institution, is uniquely situated to examine issues of antisemitism on campus and to develop data-driven responses. We are committed to enhancing understanding of antisemitism in all of its manifestations and to emboldening leaders to challenge antisemitism on their campuses.
We endeavor to:
- convene and support university leaders in common cause,
- raise awareness and sensitivity of antisemitism in higher education,
- partner with expert researchers and practitioners to enhance understanding,
- provide tools and resources for data-driven, action-focused practices,
- create communities of practice to share innovations and network with colleagues,
- share insights with educational leaders of middle and high schools.
Message on Initiative's Founding
From President Emeritus Ronald D. Liebowitz
Brandeis is the singular secular university in the United States founded in 1948 by the American Jewish community specifically to counter widespread antisemitism and bigotry in higher education. Though other universities opened their doors to Jews and other underrepresented groups since Brandeis’s founding, the tide has once again turned, and Jews find themselves in a more precarious situation than ever on many college and university campuses.
The Brandeis University Initiative on Antisemitism is meeting the need of educating university administrators by convening leaders to share and provide a platform for discussion of the most up-to-date and reliable research methods for recognizing and addressing campus-based antisemitism. Through various symposia and residential programming* these leaders will gain trustworthy and practical guidance on ways to engage their own students, faculty, and staff to help curtail this millennial-old scourge that has once again become prevalent in society.
The Initiative will also offer programming to K-12 educational leaders and educators. Engaging and sensitizing them to the ills, sources, and impact of antisemitic attitudes and behavior will help to address the impact of antisemitism early in our students’ personal development—before they set foot on the campus quad.
*Events for the Initiative are made possible by the generous support from the Robert Kraft Family and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS).