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SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — The Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego has issued a primer for philanthropists indicating what pro-Israel organizations are involved on campuses in San Diego and across the country. It follows:
On many campuses throughout the country, activism has morphed into environments of hostility, threats, and intimidation (or worse) against Jewish students, often fomented by outside groups unaffiliated with the universities. Jewish students should feel as safe, welcome, and included on campus as every other student.
The following organizations are working to support Jewish students and combat the rising antisemitism and intolerance on college campuses.
ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT
Core Campus Organizations
Hillel International – Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative has partnered with scores of campuses to help university leaderships share information, be informed of the experiences of Jewish students, and create best practice policies to create a safe campus for Jewish students.
Hillel of San Diego – In addition to the highly publicized encampment recently cleared out at UCSD, Hillel of San Diego has been supporting Jewish students at schools across San Diego under increasingly challenging circumstances.
Chabad on Campus International – Chabad maintains a robust support system for college students across many campuses worldwide. Support can go to the international organization or Chabad SDSU.
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Educational Support Organizations
Academic Engagement Network (AEN) – AEN, founded in response to the increasingly activist environment in university academia against Israel or Zionism, creates programs and engagement to support the expression of Jewish identity and robust discourse about Israel.
Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) – Secondary education is unfortunately becoming the new battleground for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ICS provides in-depth and standards-aligned lesson plans for K-12 schools about Judaism, Israel, and antisemitism. ICS’s professional development has reached over 15,000 teachers in all 50 states.
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Confronting Antisemitism
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) – Both in San Diego and nationally, ADL collects data on threats to the Jewish community and involves law enforcement when needed. ADL has created programs to educate the public about antisemitism, including professional development for teachers, lesson plans for students, and training for youth advocacy.
American Jewish Committee (AJC) – AJC works with elected officials, universities, school administrators, media, and intergroup and interfaith partners to combat the growing threat of antisemitism, promote Israel’s place in the world, and champion the values of democracy and pluralism.
Project Shema – A newer organization, Project Shema was founded to fill a gap for progressive Jews who felt alienated from traditional Jewish spaces, but also unwelcome in progressive spaces because of their Judaism/support of Israel. Project Shema focuses on how anti-Jewish ideas can emerge in discourse around Israel and Palestine.
Israel Activism on Campus
Israel On Campus Coalition (ICC) – ICC provides strategic coordination and expertise to strengthen support for Israel, uniting and empowering pro-Israel campus organizations.
StandWithUs – StandWithUs supports Israel and fights antisemitism, empowering and energizing students and communities with leadership training and educational programs on hundreds of college campuses, as well as high schools and middle schools.
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Preceding provided by the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego
