Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity
Guidance for Jewish Students on Campus
The following information is taken from a compilation of resources made available through Hillel International, the American Jewish Committee, and the Anti-Defamation League. These organizations, and many others, including Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, have made these resources available to anyone confronted with antisemitic or other hateful rhetoric on college campuses or in other public and academic settings. This is not a comprehensive guide, and new information, resources, and training will be updated as more information becomes available.
Antisemitism on college campuses is unfortunately not a new phenomenon. From white nationalists at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 2018 to anti-Israeli encampments today, Jewish students have been left feeling uneasy and unsafe. In publishing this information, Tau Epsilon Phi’s goals are threefold: (1) working to make students feel safe on campus or to provide guidance on what to do if they do not feel safe, (2) making sure that each student is given the tools to defend their rights to getting the full college education and experience to which they are entitled, and (3) being able to display and practice their faith and heritage openly and proudly.
What is Anti-Semitism?
Anti-Semitism is the hatred and discrimination of Jewish people. Though an extremely simplistic definition, it manifests in many ways and takes on many different forms. More comprehensive definitions can be found with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and the U.S. Department of State. The organizations provide concrete examples that are used to demean, discriminate, harm, or otherwise make Jewish people feel like outsiders.
It is imperative to not allow others to define antisemitism to you or for you.
What to do if there are protests and/or encampments on your campus
● First, prioritize your safety. Do not engage with protestors if the situation is volatile or potentially dangerous.
● If you are comfortable and safe doing so, identify yourself proudly by wearing a Magen David (Jewish star), a kippah, hostage dog tags, or yellow ribbon, etc.
● Reach out to Hillel and other Jewish campus organizations to see if there are organized responses or gatherings.
● The ADL has put together some comprehensive DO’s and DONT’s.
What to do if you experience antisemitism on campus
● Report it: If you experience antisemitism, whether generally, or specifically at the hands of fellow students or faculty, make sure to report it (every single time). Universities need to know the extent of what Jewish students are experiencing.
Who Do I Report It To:
* Call campus security or 911 immediately if there is any threat to your safety or that of your fellow students.
* Every university should have an online portal for reporting discriminatory or harassing behavior.
* Report the incident to reportcampushate.org, adl.org/report, or www.legal-protection.org, or text “CALLhelp” to 51555 to have an ADL lawyer review campus-based incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence.
● Specific issues with faculty: It is discriminatory and likely violates institutional policy if a faculty member or TA holds class in an encampment, offers extra credit to protestors, cancels class so people can participate in a protest, or engages in similar actions that threaten your safety, affect your grade, or inhibit your ability to learn. Such actions should be reported to the university, and potentially to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Education (DOE). You should also reach out to Hillel on your campus as they may have institutional memory about particular faculty members.
● Find a safe space: If you feel unsafe and/or need to just talk to and be surrounded a Jewish community, reach out to any staff or organizations that serve Jewish students on campus. (See “Where to go” below.)
Where to go
Having access to Jewish communities is so important at this moment. Jewish communal spaces provide a place where you can be joyfully and proudly Jewish, and physically comfortable at a time when you may be struggling with other spaces on campus. Campus Jewish communities are designed to be welcoming even to students who have never accessed them before.
● Jewish Greek Life: Jewish Greek Life provides a supportive and inclusive environment for Jewish students on college campuses, offering a sense of community, social networking, and opportunities for leadership development, community service, and religious observance. Your Tau Epsilon Phi brothers, whether they are Jewish or not, are a great resource for you to find safety, sanctuary, and support. Partnering with other traditionally or historically Jewish fraternities and sororities can help to cooperate on safety, appropriately respectful and nonviolent response, and campus education.
● Hillel: Hillel buildings/offices on campus function as a Jewish home away from home. They are equipped to host Jewish students, help them explore their identity, and provide a physical and emotional safe haven. If you are not sure whether your campus has a Hillel or where it is, you can find that information here.
● Chabad: Chabad on Campus is a global network of Chabad Lubavitch centers on college campuses. They offer a range of programs that engage Jewish students, foster Jewish identity and practice, and create community on campus. Chabad houses are typically run by a Chabad married couple and can feel very welcoming and homey.
● Though unlikely, if your campus does not have organized Jewish life, reach out to the nearest local Jewish organization that serves the Jewish community. (You can find a JCC near you here or a Jewish Federation near you here.)
Engaging on Social Media
It is impossible to escape from social media in today’s undergraduate experience. College students spend all day posting and scrolling through multiple platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and others. Antisemitism, like other hate, can spread incredibly fast online and can create a situation where individual students can be targeted with doxxing, threats, and potential physical violence, as well as having direct, negative consequences to their personal well-being and mental health. Considering the current social and political climate, it is essential for students to understand when and how to engage when confronted with controversial issues on social media. Responsible and thoughtful behavior in online interactions is crucial. For tips on how to engage on social media, please read this online resource from the AJC.
Additional Resources
There are plenty of additional resources for undergraduates, parents, and alumni available to help navigate hostile campus environments. This includes additional tips and recommendations for choosing a college or University to attend, how to deal with antisemitism when confronted, and actions you can take including signing petitions, contacting University administration, or joining in organized, peaceful events, or engaging in healthy debate.
CLICK HERE for a list of additional resources. The list is by no means comprehensive, and if you have additional resources you would like to see added, please email Tim Smith at tsmith@tep.org.