Guidance for Prospective Jewish College Students Amid Rising Antisemitism

Picture this: a Florida high school senior, suitcase half-packed, college brochures scattered across the kitchen table, and parents anxiously scrolling through headlines.

Suddenly, the excitement of campus visits and acceptance letters is tangled with worry. Because this year, a new question overshadows the usual concerns about dorms and dining halls: “Will my child feel safe being Jewish on campus?”

Following the October 7 Hamas attacks that sparked the Israel-Hamas war, reports of antisemitism at colleges nationwide have surged, shaking the sense of security for countless Jewish students. 

In Florida, where Jewish life is woven into the fabric of so many communities, these headlines feel especially personal. For families weighing college choices, the stakes are as emotional as they are academic.

A student's choice of college means a path of building friendships, finding belonging, and feeling at home.

With campus safety and inclusion in the spotlight, Jewish families are confronting new and complicated questions: Where will my child genuinely be supported? How do we separate real risk from rumor?

Today’s search for the “right” college demands thoughtful research, honest conversations, and a willingness to look beneath the surface. This guide distills the latest trends, offers practical strategies, and highlights college and university campuses making proactive change.

The goal is to help families cut through the confusion and discover where Jewish students' experiences can truly thrive, because no one should feel alone in making this decision.

What the Data Shows: Campus Climate by the Numbers

“We know that things have shifted since October 7th. Many Jewish students on campuses are not comfortable letting people know they’re Jewish,” said Rabbi Daniel Brenner, vice president of Education for the non-profit organization Moving Traditions, during a recent webinar hosted by the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA).

“That’s a big change. It used to be just a minority who felt that way.”

That shift has also created changes in the way many Jewish families with prospective college students are thinking about what universities they want to attend.

“Families want to know what college campuses provide a safe environment for students and they want to know which schools are doing a good job at handling the situation,” Brenner said. “Some families are considering schools they never thought they would look at.”

Brenner pointed to a recent study by Brandeis University, entitled "In the Shadow of War: Hotspots of Antisemitism on US College Campuses,” that looked at the perceptions of enrolled Jewish students to classify a number of popular universities into four categories: highest antisemitic hostility, above average antisemitic hostility, below average antisemitic hostility, and lowest hostility. 

According to Brenner, educational institutions in the study were assigned to the “highest antisemitic hostility” group if:

• 24% or more Jewish students said they had experienced harassment or hostility on campus  

• 30% or more Jewish students said they had seen antisemitic imagery on campus

• 30% or more Jewish students said they had experienced hostility from faculty

At the schools with the “lowest antisemitic hostility,” the numbers in the above categories were less than 15%.

Among the “highest antisemitic hostility” universities were prestigious schools such as Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, Boston University, New York University, and others.

Those rated as having the lowest hostility included several Florida schools — the University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, and the University of Miami. Others on the list include Tulane University, Duke University, University of Colorado-Boulder, Washington University at St. Louis, and others.

Don’t Rely on Rankings. Ask Real Students Instead.

National lists and campus rankings offer a starting point, but they rarely capture the daily reality for Jewish college students. Brenner emphasizes that families should reach out directly to campus Hillel or Chabad organizations and request one-on-one conversations with students.

This step gives families honest, up-to-date insight into campus climate that numbers alone cannot provide.

To help protect Jewish students, ask students the following questions:

• What does community look like here for Jewish undergraduates?

• Have you ever felt uncomfortable or unsafe?

• What support do you receive when Jewish students feel unsafe or uncomfortable?

Reliable college guidance for Jewish families involves prioritizing firsthand perspectives over glossy brochures or third-party rankings. A short phone call or virtual chat with current students can reveal more about inclusion, campus security, academic respect, and the openness of administration than any published guide.

Especially for students from strong Jewish communities in Florida, these personal accounts help distinguish between real support and token efforts.

What to Look for in a Supportive Campus Environment

Not all Jewish people operate the same on every campus, and numbers alone do not tell the full story.

Here are several key elements to assess when weighing your college options:

Student Support Networks:

Quality matters more than quantity. Are there engaged, welcoming Jewish peers on campus, not just a large enrollment count? 

Events, student-led gatherings, and social groups signal an active support network where new students find friendship and shared experience.

Jewish Community Presence:

Consider the strength and character of local Hillel, Chabad, or other groups. Are activities frequent and varied? Do they welcome a range of Jewish backgrounds, beliefs, and Jewish education? 

A small, tight-knit community can sometimes offer richer support for a Jewish future than a larger but less active one.

Leadership and Relationships:

Strong Jewish campus communities often center around trusted leaders. Are Hillel or Jewish Life directors respected and accessible? Are they experienced in supporting Jewish college students, especially during challenging times? 

Their relationships with university leaders and faculty also matter. Look for evidence of their influence and advocacy.

Academic Engagement:

Is there a Jewish Studies program or respected courses on Jewish history, religion, or culture? Faculty involvement signals institutional support. 

If Jewish Studies is popular and well-funded, it often reflects a broader culture of inclusion.

Local Jewish Life:

Proximity to a synagogue, Jewish Community Center, or other Jewish organizations deepens a sense of belonging. Check if Shabbat services, holiday events, and kosher dining options are available on or near campus. 

These amenities bridge the profound difference between campus life and the local community.

Variety of Organizations:

A healthy ecosystem includes multiple avenues for engagement, such as cultural clubs, Israeli advocacy groups, or interfaith initiatives. Consider if students have choices so they can participate in the activities or causes that reflect their values.

Probing in these areas, families move beyond surface-level assessments to find environments where Jewish students can thrive both academically and personally.

It’s Not All Bad: Examples of Bridge-Building Campuses

Keep in mind that while the rise in antisemitism is real, some campuses are responding proactively and creatively.

At Brown University and the University of Maryland, for example, students and administrators have launched interfaith dialogues and expanded diversity and inclusion (DEI) training. They have also established advisory groups to ensure Jewish voices are heard at every level. 

On these campuses, leadership encourages collaboration across communities and quick responses to incidents of bias. Jewish college students report feeling supported not just by Jewish groups but by their non-Jewish students and campus leaders as well. 

These stories underscore that "safe colleges for Jewish students" are not an exception, but an achievable goal, when vigilance and bridge-building go hand in hand.

If you’re researching colleges in Florida, look for campus news about recent DEI efforts, student-led interfaith programs, and statements from university leadership. These signals suggest a willingness to listen, support, and improve, even as challenges persist.

Tackling the College Search With Purpose and Confidence

These days, as Jewish students and their families confront the modern campus climate, the college search is an act of self-advocacy and hope. Choosing a college is about finding a place where students can grow intellectually, forge lasting connections, and engage proudly with their Jewish identity.

Headlines can amplify fears, but remember the agency families hold: the power to ask questions, seek authentic voices, and insist on environments that foster both safety and belonging.

With the stakes so personal, no family should have to walk this path alone. Thoughtful guidance, rooted in firsthand knowledge and genuine care, can transform uncertainty into clarity. 

If you’re ready to move forward, sifting through choices, reaching out to campus communities, or simply seeking a steady hand, our team is here to help. 

For personalized support designed for your family’s unique path, contact JRA today!