JEWISH FEDERATION
February 2024
Federation Star
5
73% of Jewish college students report antisemitism on campus What can you do about it? By Susan Pittelman, Event Chair
W
e have seen a dramatic increase is something that we can do. Working in antisemitism in the United through Alums for Campus Fairness States. In December alone, (ACF), we can leverage our power as hundreds of synagogues and Jewish instialumni and as concerned community tutions across the country received bomb members to help bring about change. threats. At the end of December, several Dr. Rebecca Pinchevsky, Southeast institutions in our own Jewish comRegional Assistant Director ACF, spoke munity, including Temple Shalom and at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center JCMI, received bomb threats. Fortuon Dec. 18, at a program sponsored by nately, they have been hoaxes. the Jewish Community Relations Council According to the Anti-Defamation of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, League, antisemitic acts have increased Men’s Cultural Alliance and Womover 330% since last year. Jewish college en’s Cultural Alliance. Dr. Pinchevsky students as well as Jewish professors have explained that the mission of ACF is to been the target of much of this hate. Stuharness the unique power of alumni to dents who identify as Jewish, counter antisemitism and the whether they vocally supdemonization of Israel on colport Israel or not, have been lege and university campuses harassed and even excluded across the nation. from campus organizations. ACF mobilizes alumni to Many are being bullied and address antisemitism by engagthreatened and are now afraid ing with college administration to leave their dorms. and campus leaders to promote College administrations are open dialogue, foster respectful idly standing by, or worse, debate and challenge antiseare actively condoning these mitic rhetoric and incidents Dr. Rebecca pro-Palestinian, antisemitic when they arise. Pinchevsky, actions. Many of us find Southeast What should I do? the actions — or lack of Regional action — by administra- Assistant Director Go to campusfairness.org and tors at our own alma maters for the Alums for join Alums for Campus Fairincomprehensible. But there Campus Fairness ness. There is no charge. You
is prepared to provide you with the resources you need to make a change in your campus community.
What else can I do?
• Reach out to your alma mater and let them know that you have joined ACF, the largest network of Susan Pittelman and Merel Greenfield (an avid pro-Israel alumni. proponent of ACF) with Dr. Rebecca Pinchevsky • Encourage your can then request to be connected with friends and family to sign up. ACF is your alma mater. powered by its members and is working Already 50,303 alums representing 75 to expand its network. colleges and universities have registered • Follow ACF on social media and share on the website to combat antisemitism on your story to let the world know why campus, stay current on campus news and you joined ACF. By sharing your story, network with like-minded, passionate you can continue to bring awareness and alumni. When you register, you will have support to a larger population. the option to be informed of incidents • Attend an ACF event. ACF offers happening on the campus and to receive seminars and networking opportunities. suggestions of what you can do. These events are great ways to meet other If there is not a chapter at your school, leaders from successful chapters. you can start one! Schedule a call with an You can help to make a difference! ACF staff member to learn more about I hope you do. the specific opportunities available. Staff
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