USC Report Addresses Antisemitism on Campus

The Advisory Committee on Jewish Life at USC released a report on August 23 addressing antisemitism on campus, and USC President Carol Folt endorsed its findings.

The committee chair, Dean of Religious Life at USC Varun Soni, wrote that the need to fight antisemitism on campus is “urgent and ongoing … As a result, the committee recommends the establishment of a standing Advisory Committee on Jewish Life that continues to meet regularly to discuss critical issues regarding Jewish life, oversee the implementation and assessment of this report’s recommendations, and offer additional suggestions to promote and support Jewish life at USC,” Soni continued. “The committee’s remit, term limits, and scope will be more specifically detailed upon implementation, in consultation with the current members of the advisory committee.”

The committee could not reach an agreement on endorsing a specific definition of antisemitism, so the matter is being punted to the future standing committee, Soni stated. But the committee did agree that “that anti-Zionist rhetoric sometimes employs antisemitic tropes, stereotypes, and caricatures, including Holocaust denial and inversion.” “Such rhetoric might also argue against the existence of a Jewish homeland or the right of Jewish self-determination,” the dean added. “As a result, many Zionist students, faculty, and staff feel attacked, targeted, and dehumanized on the basis of religion as their view of Israel as the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people is inextricably linked to their Jewish religious identity. Additionally, students report that they have been excluded from student government leadership and social justice opportunities on campus because of their Zionist identities, and that they have been bullied and doxxed online because of their Israel advocacy.” Consequently, the committee recommended that the university issue a statement acknowledging that anti-Zionism can sometimes be antisemitism.

Other recommendations from the committee included a fast public response from the university when antisemitic incidents occur, continuously declare the university’s opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, establish a kosher station on campus, and ensure that Jews are represented in the university’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programming.

“We are so grateful to you for convening us and giving us the opportunity to present recommendations for your consideration,” Soni wrote to Folt. “We also very much appreciate the chance to work at a university that has so many resources, programs, and opportunities for Jewish students, faculty, and staff, as well as strong existing relationships with external partners.”

Folt tweeted that the recommendations put forth by the committee “provide great direction in a number of areas. I look forward to working with them on the next important phase – implementation.”

Folt tweeted that the recommendations put forth by the committee “provide great direction in a number of areas. I look forward to working with them on the next important phase – implementation.”

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Los Angeles Deputy Director Ariella Loewenstein, who serves on the committee, said in a statement: “I am honored to serve and be ADL’s voice on the Advisory Committee on Jewish Life (JLAC). The release of this committee’s recommendations and President Folt’s acceptance of the final report is a strong first step toward ensuring the safety and well-being of Jewish life at USC. Now the hard work of implementation begins.”

She added: “We look forward to continuing to serve on JLAC, as a standing committee, to make certain that the recommendations are executed swiftly and effectively. Jewish and Zionist students, faculty, and staff need to be protected from bullying, harassment and intimidation on campus. We must ensure that the campus and broader community understand that denying the right of Israel to exist is negating a core part of many Jews’ identities and is antisemitic at its core. We also look forward to helping integrate Jewish culture and identity into university programs, as well as making sure future DEI initiatives include Jewish voices and perspectives.”

Judea Pearl, chancellor professor of computer science at UCLA, National Academy of Sciences member and Daniel Pearl Foundation president, tweeted that the report’s recommendations are “better than expected, for it mentions anti-Zionism 12 times.” However, he lamented that “instead [of] declaring anti-Zionism an unacceptable form of hate, it recommends: ‘Acknowledge explicitly that anti-Zionism can sometimes be experienced as antisemitism in responding to issues and incidents.’ In other words, the committee acknowledges explicitly its commitment to remaining as vague and inexplicit as possible in order to keep the ‘committee’ in session, and resist defining anti-Zionism as an assault of one’s identity. Sad.”