Jewish on Campus Launches Student-Led Chapters on Key Campuses, Expands Ambassador Program to 55+ Universities
NEW YORK – Jewish on Campus (JOC), a grassroots student-led movement to uplift the experiences of Jewish students on campus, is launching several new collaborations with leading Jewish organizations and expanding the reach of its Jewish Student Union to include representatives on more than 55 campuses.
To provide a vehicle for Jewish students to convene and advocate on their campus, JOC has launched its first-ever university-based chapters at New York University and Columbia University. The new chapters come amid an expansion of JOC’s Student Union – the hallmark initiative of the organization, a unique student-led body of campus leaders from around the world. Student Union members, hailing from more than 55 campuses, are tasked with organizing on their campuses and often meet to share best practices and develop bonds over their common experience as Jewish students in 2024. The Student Union convenes regularly to hear from expert speakers and strategize the best way to ensure a positive Jewish experience on their campus.
Jewish on Campus (JOC) takes pride in meeting students where they are and leverages its robust social media presence to communicate how Jewish students have experienced antisemitism in their campus communities. In just three years, JOC has collected over 3,300 individual submissions of antisemitic incidents from 505 campuses around the world. Since October 7, submissions have increased by more than 60%, and JOC’s social media following has grown by more than 50%. The result is a more informed and more engaged Jewish student community, compounded by new organizational partnerships and leadership opportunities.
Julia Jassey, co-founder and CEO of Jewish on Campus, shared, “Jewish students are sharing critical stories that demand to be heard. As antisemitism becomes a feature of daily life on too many campuses around the world, Jewish students are pushing back. Through our efforts online, on campus, and in the Jewish community, Jewish on Campus is determined to provide a voice and a platform for Jewish students.”
To better collaborate across the Jewish communal landscape, JOC has recently embarked on a range of partnerships with leading Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC). The partnerships will include new educational materials to help inform JOC student leaders, in-depth analysis of campus antisemitism trends, and an increased student presence at ADL and AJC events.
In partnership with ADL, JOC will provide top-notch educational materials to help student leaders better communicate the significance of antisemitism and work with peers across diverse communities to address hate on their campus. Working with AJC, JOC will expand its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and across the federal government. JOC met with leading White House officials ahead of the launch of the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, filed Title VI complaints with the Department of Education, and has engaged with members of Congress across the House and Senate. Partnering with AJC, this engagement will grow in the coming academic year.
Founded as an Instagram page by a group of college students at midnight in 2021, Jewish on Campus has grown into a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a full-time staff and a committed Board of Directors.
Leaders in the Jewish community and on Capitol Hill lauded Jewish on Campus’ work:
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of Anti-Defamation League (ADL), added, “ADL is pleased to be working with Jewish on Campus to empower Jewish students and lift up student voices in the critical conversation around ensuring campuses are safe and welcoming for Jewish students, faculty and staff. The energy and enthusiasm of the students of Jewish on Campus gives me hope that together we will succeed in countering the unacceptable levels of antisemitism on campus.”
Congressman Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC), said, “Jewish on Campus’ work amplifying the voices and experiences of Jewish students has never been more important, and I am exceedingly impressed by—and committed to—the resilient and proud Jewish leaders who make up Jewish on Campus. With the unprecedented challenges facing Jewish students today, the partnership between AJC and Jewish on Campus is critical as we work together to empower young Jewish leaders.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), an outspoken leader in the fight against antisemitism, has addressed the Student Union before and did so again in an Instagram Live last month. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said, “I applaud Jewish on Campus for their passionate work protecting Jewish students, and I am honored to stand with them side by side in this mission. Access to education free of intimidation and discrimination is a value I will always speak up for. Jewish on Campus stands as a model of civic engagement for the next generation of Americans, speaking up and fighting back in the face of injustice.”
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