More than 300 Jewish students, community leaders, and activists gathered in Manhattan to address the growing crisis of antisemitism on college campuses, sharing powerful personal narratives and developing strategic responses to increasing discrimination and violence.
The Rise & Respond: Global Student Summit Against Antisemitism highlighted a disturbing trend of antisemitic incidents, with data revealing a 120.8% increase in campus-related antisemitic events from 2023 to 2024. The Antisemitism Research Center documented 742 incidents in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive intervention and awareness.
Summit participants, including students who have experienced direct harassment, discussed multifaceted approaches to confronting campus hatred. Michael Kaminsky, a DePaul University student who was physically assaulted on campus, received the Student Activist Award and emphasized the importance of speaking out against discrimination.
The event launched the FACE Antisemitism Initiative, a comprehensive program designed to unite students, faculty, and lawmakers in combating antisemitism through targeted advocacy, education, and action. Additionally, CAM introduced a HEAT Map & Advocacy Platform intended to systematically identify and expose academic figures promoting antisemitic rhetoric.
Prominent speakers, including Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and social media influencer Montana Tucker, stressed the critical importance of individual and collective action in challenging antisemitism. Sheryl Sandberg, former Meta Platforms executive, highlighted the necessity of understanding the broader context of antisemitism and its threat to democratic values.
The summit represented a significant moment of solidarity, bringing together diverse voices to address a complex and escalating challenge. By providing a platform for shared experiences and strategic planning, the event aimed to empower students and community leaders to actively resist discrimination and promote understanding.
As campus antisemitism continues to rise, the Rise & Respond summit demonstrated a commitment to education, resilience, and collective action in confronting hatred and protecting Jewish students' safety and dignity.
