Addressing Antisemitism

Addressing Antisemitism

Antisemitism is hostility towards or prejudice against Jewish people. In recent years, we have seen a rise in displays of swastikas (banners, clothing), Holocaust denials, and white supremacist bias against Jewish people. When these displays are in public places in and around Davis, they are especially disturbing. It is incumbent upon all of us to be active and not passive when we see antisemitism, disrespect, racism, or bigotry. It is important to consider that antisemitism comes from a diverse array of political perspectives — from conservative to progressive — and that the more covert forms generate deep discomfort and fear. The lessons of history are clear: ending antisemitism requires all of us to step up and stand up. 
 

White supremacy, hate and intimidation have no place here.

—Chancellor May's Statement on Aug 28, 2022

A message from UC President Drake denouncing Antisemitism, bigotry and hate

"I have been deeply disturbed by a recent wave of anti-Semitic incidents at college campuses across California — including UC Davis, Sacramento State, San Francisco State, and American River College. These events are happening in the midst of a troubling rise in anti-Semitic activity nationwide. I join leaders in California and across the nation in condemning these cowardly and hateful acts in the strongest terms." Read the full statement >

What is UC Davis doing to address hate and harassment?

Learn more about our Hate Free initiatives:

Hate Free UC Davis 

Hate Free Together

We all have a role to play in the fight against hate. —hatefreetogether.org

UC Davis Stands Up

• Checking In With Chancellor May: Standing on Our Principles | November 2023
• Chancellor May Joins President Drake and UC Chancellors in Condemning Bigotry | November 2023
• UC Davis Campus Leadership Reaffirms the Principles of Community | November 2023
• Checking in with Chancellor May: Standing With You  | October 2023
• Checking in with Chancellor May: Freedom of Expression | September 2023
• Chancellor May recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month | May 2023
• Chancell-ing: Hate is the Virus We’re Fighting Now | February 2023
• Standing Together Against Hate by Chancellor May  |  September 7, 2022
• Joint Statement From Division of Student Affairs and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by Vice Chancellors Renetta G. Tull and Pablo Reguerín  |  February 17, 2022
• UC Davis Chancellor May Condemns Antisemitic Graffiti Found in Residence Hall | October 2022
• Davis Enterprise, “Davis leaders condemn white supremacist hate incident”  |  August 29, 2022
   

“The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported earlier this year1 that antisemitic behavior has increased 34 percent from the previous year, with 2,717 incidents nationwide in 2021. These numbers are the highest the ADL has seen in nearly half a century.” —shared by Chancellor May in a statement published by the Davis Enterprise, and in his campus statement “Standing Against Hate.”

Supporting our Jewish Community

Examples of Recent UC Davis Programming

• Diversity in the Jewish Community (2023 Principles of Community Week, "Connecting as a Community.")
• "Between Race and Religion: Reflections on Jews, Race, and Antisemitism" (Sociologist Professor Bruce Haynes held a lunchtime conversation about the shifting relationship between racism and antisemitism in American culture and why it matters.)
• Dialogue Series | UC Davis Health (Webinar Series on Antisemitism) 
  • Generational Effects of the Holocaust
  • Antisemitism in the United States
• “Recovered Voices,” James Conlon, Artistic Director and Conductor (Mondavi Center Program; a unique Colburn School of Music program that encourages greater awareness and more frequent performances of music by composers whose careers and lives were disrupted—or worse—during the years of the Nazi regime in Europe.)
• International Holocaust Remembrance Day blog featuring the director at Hillel House commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day.  
• Additional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming and resources
• Additional Student Affairs programming and resources
• Examples of additional Strategic Communications content

External Resources

• Antisemitism in our Midst: Past and Present - UC Berkeley Video charts the history of Antisemitism from its origins to today.
• Antisemitism Spikes, And Many Jews Wonder: Where Are Our Allies? (All Things Considered | June 7, 2021)
• Far more unites Black and Jewish Americans than divides them (CNN)
• Simon Wiesenthal Center
• Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco
• United States Holocaust Museum
• Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
• ​Jews Don’t Count by David Baddiel (YouTube video introduction of the book)

Thank you for removing the hyphen in antisemitism! See why here.

The UC Davis Advisory Council on Jewish Life meets quarterly with the Chancellor. 

We are grateful for the collaborative input on this page from:

Sheri Atkinson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Campus Community and Retention Services, UC Davis
Rachel Darling, Executive Director of the Hillel at Davis and Sacramento
Naomi Greenspan, Director, Improving the Campus Climate Initiative, Academic Engagement Network
Rivka Keith, President, Student Board, Hillel at Davis and Sacramento
Ari Kelman, Professor, Department of History, UC Davis
Carly Klinger, Student and member of Aggies for Israel, UC Davis
Dylan Marks, Graduate Student, UC Davis School of Law and member of Jewish Law Student Association
Arina Nisanova, Graduate Student, UC Davis School of Medicine and member of Jewish Medical Student Association