On many college campuses, Jewish student spaces have increasingly become targets for ideological confrontation when associated with Israel. The issue is no longer just political disagreement over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but a growing expectation that Jewish students must distance themselves from mainstream Jewish organizations in order to comfortably participate in campus life. The recent controversy surrounding Hillel at The New School is a clear example of this trend and raises a larger question: when does “criticism of Israel” begin to undermine Jewish communal life itself?
On May 1st, The New School’s student senate voted to place the local Hillel “not in good standing” and attempted to pull funding, supposedly because of Hillel International’s relationship to programs such as Birthright and other Israel engagement initiatives. They alleged that “extensive ties to violations of international law by Hillel International,” including that it “sent students to logistically support over 700 soldiers.” They demanded that for Hillel to continue enjoying an official membership in the academic community, their leadership would have to cut ties with Hillel International and disavow all offered trips to Israel.
But this demand goes far beyond criticism of Israel. Hillel’s primary role on campus is not partisan politics. It is one of the primary spaces for Jewish students to gather, celebrate holidays, and build community on campus. Likewise, Birthright is an educational and cultural program that exists to connect young Jewish adults to their heritage and culture – not a military initiative.
Even the volunteer trips referenced by the student senate mainly involve civilian support efforts like packing food and helping affected communities during wartime. Treating these experiences as “unacceptable” for some vague reason about weakening the influence of a Palestinian anti-Zionist narrative sends the message that Jewish students are only welcome on campus if they distance themselves from mainstream Jewish life and any connection to Israel.
The university administration rejected the vote. Associate Director of University Communications, Merrie Snead, said in a statement that the student senate lacks the authority to make such changes and reaffirmed that “our Hillel chapter remains, as it always has been, in good standing, eligible for funding, and supporting Jewish life at The New School.” This statement fell short of directly condemning the student government’s thinly veiled attack on all Zionist students.
This was not lost on the Hillel leaders, who responded by accurately labeling the move as “a deeply painful and antisemitic act, one that attempts to isolate Jewish students from a global community they have every right to belong to.” Unsurprisingly, the vote itself left many Jewish students shaken and unsettled.
What makes this episode all the more disappointing is that it’s not the first time this Hillel has been targeted nor Hillels in general. In September 2024 pro-Palestine student protesters gathered outside a Hillel welcome-back dinner at a local restaurant, chanting slogans like “All Zionists are racists” and “CUNY, CUNY, you can’t hide, you support genocide,” along with taunts referencing Israeli hostages.
What was intended as a student community event instead became a charged scene of harassment directed at Jewish students. Following the incident, Félix V. Matos Rodríguez issued a statement condemning the disruption of the Hillel welcome dinner, describing it as a “hate-filled display” that had no place in the city. Rodríguez also noted that he was investigating the incident and CUNY would enforce disciplinary action against any demonstrators that were a part of the CUNY community.
I find this case particularly interesting given the New School’s rich history. The university once stood as a refuge for Jewish and anti-Nazi scholars fleeing persecution in Europe. It makes the student senate’s attempt to marginalize mainstream Jewish campus organizations feel especially ironic and honestly, disappointing.
Removing Hillel on campus would not punish a government or change foreign policy. It would eliminate one of the few broadly accessible Jewish communal spaces on campus. When Jewish students can’t gather, celebrate, or simply exist in community without it becoming a political act, that’s not activism. That’s exclusion.
If schools are serious about upholding their inclusive values, then that must include Jewish students as well. Administrations should be willing to clearly call out attempts to isolate or delegitimize Jewish campus organizations under the guise of activism, instead of responding with vague statements and procedural clarifications. Supporting Hillel’s right to exist proudly on campus, without having to renounce ties to Israel, should not be controversial. It should be the bare minimum.
This article was originally published in The Times of Israel Blogs. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CAMERA.
