Jewish students returned to several St. Louis-area universities this month with both anticipation and concern. The past year has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses nationwide, affecting institutions like Washington University (WashU) and St. Louis University (SLU). From inflammatory protests to hostile rhetoric, Jewish students face increasing challenges. In response, universities across St. Louis, along with campus organizations like Hillel and Chabad, have acted to support Jewish students and ensure their safety.

The climate on campus: A spring of rising tensions

The spring semester of 2024 saw a rise in antisemitic activities, with campuses like WashU and SLU experiencing several incidents, including confrontational protests. Despite these challenges, Tim Mellman, a junior at WashU, remains optimistic about the upcoming year.

“At the start of summer, I was hopeful a ceasefire would be reached before we returned to campus. As time went on, it became clear that wasn’t the case, but I remained optimistic. The Jewish community at WashU is more united than ever in fighting antisemitism, and we have a strong relationship with the university administration.”

Jackie Levey, CEO of WashU Hillel, emphasized the importance of these connections: “Last year’s events underscored the need for strong relationships with campus colleagues and the administration. These ties were crucial for open communication on everything from safety to timely information sharing.”

At SLU, the administration has taken steps to address Jewish students’ concerns and enhance campus safety.

“We strive to ensure that every student, including those of Jewish faith, feels safe and that their spiritual identity is respected,” said Donney K.M. Moroney, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students. SLU’s University Counseling Center now offers “The Healing Collective,” a support group for students facing racial, political and social tensions.

At the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL), the administration has been proactive in maintaining an inclusive campus. “Fortunately, we have not seen a rise in antisemitism this past year,” said Steve Walentik, UMSL’s Director of Public Relations. “However, we continue to promote a safe and welcoming environment. At the start of the year, we reaffirmed our commitment to freedom of expression, emphasizing civility and mutual respect.”

Across town, Webster University continues to foster a welcoming environment through proactive measures and educational programs.

“Our efforts include academic programs and student-led initiatives, such as Dr. Warren Rosenblum’s course, which includes visits to the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum to deepen students’ understanding of Jewish history,” said Vincent Flewellen, Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

University responses: Policies, protections and new initiatives

In response to last year’s events and current rising tensions, WashU is taking steps to safeguard Jewish students and uphold their commitment to an inclusive campus environment.

Chancellor Andrew Martin reinforced the university’s zero-tolerance policy for hate speech, stressing that swift action will be taken against anyone disrupting the community’s ability to learn and work. In a recent email to the university community, Martin introduced Cultivating Connections, an initiative aimed at fostering meaningful learning and constructive discourse across diverse viewpoints.

“The program is a work in progress, designed to be organic and responsive to the evolving needs of our community,” said Rebecca Brown, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and University Governance at WashU. “It serves as a landing spot where we can consolidate resources and communicate the various efforts happening across campus.”

Mellman appreciates the university’s efforts, noting, “Last semester, WashU took major instances of antisemitism seriously, acting swiftly and decisively. WashU set a precedent that antisemitic rhetoric will not be tolerated, making me feel safer and more at ease.”

In addition to Cultivating Connections, WashU promotes Dialogue Across Differences, an eight-week course exploring perspectives around politics, religion, race, gender and socioeconomic identity.

“Dialogue Across Differences is about bringing together people with differing ideologies to find common ground, even if they don’t change each other’s minds,” said Brown. This program is foundational for all incoming students, setting expectations for discussing difficult topics on campus.

Moroney said SLU has strengthened efforts to prevent antisemitism, particularly during times of heightened tension following major international events.

“During these times, we intensify outreach to ensure all students, including our Jewish community, feel supported. SLU collaborates closely with students to address concerns and promote restorative practices that encourage understanding and respect,” Moroney said.

Support systems: The role of Hillel, Chabad and campus initiatives

Hillel and Chabad are key to supporting Jewish students across St. Louis-area universities, especially during crises. They’ve ramped up efforts to provide mental health resources, religious services and community-building activities while educating the broader campus on Jewish culture and the impact of antisemitism.

“Our role hasn’t changed. We’re always here to support our students and the campus Jewish community,” said Levey. “Last year’s challenges struck at our core identity as Jews, highlighting Hillel’s essential role during the crisis.”

Recently, Chabad welcomed the Class of 2028 with over 200 students and their families at a Shabbat dinner, where Chancellor Martin delivered a powerful statement against antisemitism. “If more college presidents had this level of clarity, American higher education would be much stronger,” noted Rabbi Hershey Novack, Co-Director of Chabad on Campus.

Mellman praised the support from Chabad and Hillel: “The WashU Chabad and Hillel have been our most reliable allies. After Oct. 7, they provided free mental health resources and used their platforms to support the student-led effort against the student government’s BDS campaign.”

At SLU, the Department of Campus Ministry supports Jewish students by working with Chabad on Campus, St. Louis Hillel, and the Jewish Student Association. Moroney noted that SLU is also piloting a new partial kosher meal plan in response to student requests.

Proactive measures: Preparing for the upcoming year

As the new academic year begins, St. Louis-area universities are enhancing security measures. Universities are increasing patrols at key areas, particularly where Jewish students gather, and adding resources to monitor and address hate speech and vandalism.

“Our goal is to deescalate situations through dialogue and clarify our policies. This approach allows students to express themselves while maintaining our educational environment,” said Brown.

SLU is monitoring and responding to antisemitic incidents, with the Bias Incident Reporting system in place. “We carefully review, investigate, and address all reports of discrimination, including antisemitism,” said Moroney.

Webster University and UMSL are also aiming to be proactive, regularly reviewing and updating their policies to address emerging concerns and ensure a safe, respectful environment.

Looking ahead: Building resilience and solidarity

The support from university administrations, combined with the efforts of Hillel, Chabad and other campus organizations, provides a strong foundation for Jewish students to build resilience and solidarity. Rabbi Novack noted that while students focus on adjusting to campus life, parents often have heightened safety concerns.

“The difference in anxiety levels highlights the need to address both groups’ concerns,” he said, emphasizing the importance of reassuring parents while supporting students.

Mellman expressed the importance of maintaining his Jewish identity despite the challenges: “I feel safest in the Jewish community at WashU. I spend most Fridays, Saturdays and much of my free time with them because we’re all in this together. I wear my kippah and Bring Them Home tag because I’m proud of my people and refuse to hide my identity.”