An initial summary of findings from the study of Religious Tolerance on Campus was published by the Institute for Jewish & Community Research (IJCR ) in December of 2011. The report is titled “ALONE ON THE QUAD: Understanding Jewish Student Isolation on Campus” and is based on a survey of over 1,400 students in the USA, including oversamples of minority religious groups. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive surveys of its kind.
Aryeh Weinberg of the Institute gave the major findings:
• Over 40% of students confirm Anti-Semitism on their campus
• Jewish students face Anti-Semitism alone
• Jewish students report Anti-Israelism creeping into the classroom
• Anti-Semitism is being normalized and underreported
• A significant minority of Jewish studnets say Anti-Israel protest targets Jews
• The majority of non-Jewish students do not hold opinions on Israel.
MICHAEL C. DUKE of the Houston Jewish Herald-Voice provided an overview of the findings in his article of Jan 05, 2012.
“Ample anecdotal evidence suggests that, over the last decade, Jewish college students have faced rising levels of anti-Semitism on campuses across the United States,” the report states. “[Anti-Israel] divestment campaigns, protests, rallies, guerrilla theater and inflammatory speakers have featured anti-Jewish rhetoric. With insufficient response from administrators, these events have developed into hostile environments, where Jewish students and others have been maligned and threatened.”
There is an Anti-Semitism problem
More than two in five Jewish students confirm anti-Semitism on their campuses, according to the report. The report states: “Every campus is different, but a national average of 43 percent warrants attention and demonstrates the existence of a problem.”
The study found a disparity between Jewish student perceptions of anti-Semitism on their campuses, at 43 percent, versus 11 percent of non-Jewish students who recognize the existence of anti-Jewish bigotry on campus. The disparity highlights the isolation Jewish students face in confronting anti-Semitism.
“Whether non-Jewish students don’t know anti-Semitism when they see it, disagree with Jewish students on the definition of anti-Semitism or condone it, the result is the same,” the report states. “The Jewish student community is often alone in attempting to raise awareness, spur administrative action or rally campus support.”
The number of Jewish students confirming the existence of anti-Semitism on campus is a problem that is compounded by the lack of obvious allies on campus to which students can turn for support, the report states.
Anti-Semitism is not clearly defined and therefore probably underreported
More students reported specific statements of anti-Semitism on campus than reported anti-Semitism, in general. This finding suggests that students disagree on the definition of anti-Semitism, according to the report.
“Perhaps, many do not consider rhetoric or stereotypes meaningful offensive behavior. Yet, one must consider that college campuses are particularly sensitive to issues of tolerance and whether similar rhetoric about other minority groups would be tolerated,” the report states.
This particular finding contradicts claims that Jews are quick to play the anti-Semitism card, the report notes. That Jewish and non-Jewish students, alike, dismiss a significant proportion of the anti-Semitic rhetoric they encounter suggests that anti-Jewish sentiment on campus is becoming an accepted norm.
The report states that such a trend “can quickly devolve into an environment where Jews feel unsafe and unwanted.”
“The dismissal of anti-Jewish statements is particularly troubling considering the high level of vigilance against most forms of racism and bigotry on campus,” states the report.
Anti-Israel indoctrination
Anti-Israel sentiment is creeping into the classroom, as well, the study found. Campus anti-Israel protest frequently targets Jews.
Some 41 percent of Jewish students have encountered anti-Israel remarks made in class by professors, confirming that anti-Israel activism on campus is impacting the academic experience of students, the study found.
“Faculty play a significant role in forming student opinions, especially where they cross over from instruction to indoctrination,” according to the report.
“Many students do not hold strong opinions on the Middle East conflict and are particularly susceptible to accepting faculty points of view as truth, especially when offered in class,” the report adds. Because of this, many non-Jewish students don’t recognize anti-Israel comments that are made in class. Mormon students, 25 percent of whom reported anti-Israel indoctrination in the college classroom, however, are an exception.
About a third of Jewish students agree that anti-Israel protest targets Jews, according to findings.
While the line between anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment can be blurred, anti-Israel protest lowers the norms against anti-Jewish bigotry, the report states.
Anti-Israel protest “provides a convenient venue for anti-Semitic expression and embraces anti-Semitic stereotypes, under the guise of political activism,” according to the report.
Opportunity to Educate about Israel
Despite the prevalence of Israel activism on campus, both against and in support of the Jewish state, most students do not hold opinions on Israel and the Middle East vis-à-vis the Arab-Israeli conflict.
This finding is significant, the IJCR report states, “signaling the opportunity to educate about Israel and the need to develop more engaging approaches.”
The Institute for Jewish & Community Research (IJCR)
Located in San Francisco, IJCR is an independent, non-partisan think tank that provides innovative research and pragmatic policy analysis on a broad range of issues including:
Religious Prejudice and the Security of the Jewish Community
The Institute conducts research on religious prejudice using surveys and other tools. We specifically examine anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism in America's educational systems, assessing how prejudice impacts elementary, secondary, and higher education.
Philanthropy
The Institute engages in research about megagifts in American philanthropy, giving to higher education, and philosophies of giving. We also specialize in research about Jewish philanthropy, including foundations and motivations for giving to Jewish causes.
The Growth and Vitality of the Jewish People
The Institute studies the demography of the Jewish people, looking at how Jewish identity is defined and expressed. We examine issues relating to inter-marriage, conversion and the racial and ethnic diversity of the Jewish people.
Further Reading:
Jessica Felber: Fighter against Hatred on the Campus of the University of California at Berkeley
Israel Law Center Launches Student Hotline to Combat Anti-Israel Hostilities on American Campuses
The 2011 National Jewish University Student Survey in the UK
Professor Brotchi: Don’t Stay Quiet About Campus Hate
The Campus War Against Israel and the Jews: Students For Justice in Palestine
