OUR CAMPUS IMPACT NETWORK EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO STAND UP TO HATE
We closely monitor the long-term trend of many college campuses tolerating antisemitic rhetoric and behavior. This has increased exponentially since October 7th. Our Campus Impact Network (CIN) supports Jewish college students across the greater Los Angeles area facing antisemitism, empowers them to take an active role on campus, and teaches them how to use their voices to elevate the Jewish experience. In mid-January, CIN hosted the inaugural Empowering Students: Israel Leadership Forum in partnership with Hillels at USC, UCLA, and Hillel 818. Over 100 students from 10 Southern California campuses joined us for two days of intensive training for students on the front lines of campus issues around Israel and antisemitism. Speakers included leaders from our Federation, elected officials, college professors, and social media experts. Students emerged from the enlightening weekend motivated to take active roles on their campuses combating antisemitism and celebrating Jewish life.
Check out media coverage of the Israel Leadership Forum by visiting JewishLA.org/EmpoweringStudents.
ENSURING THE STATE’S CURRICULUM IS FREE FROM ANTISEMITIC MATERIALS
A semester of coursework in Ethnic Studies will be a high school graduation requirement for California students by 2029-30. The Federation is leading the way to ensure that any Ethnic Studies content accurately reflects the Jewish experience by creating a first-of-its-kind educational resource website for teachers, developed in collaboration with leading experts throughout the nation. The website provides a wide range of vetted curriculum materials, while ensuring that bias, discrimination, and antisemitic content stay out of the classroom. Our Federation is a trusted resource for educators seeking an understanding of our community – including our diversity, holidays, connection to Israel, and how rising rates of antisemitism affect us. Over 1,000 superintendents from across California will receive access to this site to disseminate to their districts as part of JFEDLA’s state-wide roll out.
Learn more about our new Ethnic Studies website and our work on the issue: JewishLA.org/EthnicStudies.
HELPING TEACHERS ROOT OUT ANTISEMITISM IN THE CLASSROOM
Our commitment to combating antisemitism touches many sectors of the education system. To meet this unique moment head on, our Community Engagement team is working to empower local educational leaders to stand up to hate in schools by hosting an Education Leaders Summit: Understanding, Embracing, and Including Jewish Students in Your School Community. The summit, to be held in early-February, will provide an understanding of the Jewish student experience, offer ways to combat antisemitism in schools, and share facts about our people’s history and Israel. Experts in the fields of education, curriculum development, and Jewish history will equip top education leaders, including heads of school and school district superintendents, with tools and resources that will make school environments more hospitable to Jewish students.
Thanks to you, we are able to help the most vulnerable and ensure the future for generations to come. That’s what makes us the heartbeat of Jewish L.A.
To make a gift, please visit JewishLA.org/Donate.