Supporting A Thriving Campus

Human pyramid

Credit: Berkeley Hillel

Jewish Community On Campus

Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to learn more about antisemitism and invest in Jewish community, belonging, and inclusion by getting involved with campus-based groups. 

UC Berkeley has a variety of groups that promote Jewish life and wellbeing and provide education about Jewish history and culture. 

Academic Units

Social Groups

Academic and Research Collections

People in a Jewish Museum

Credit: Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life

Providing Antisemitism Education For All Students

The Antisemitism Education Initiative serves the entire student body of UC Berkeley and beyond. Whether Jewish or allies, we help individuals to develop deeper understanding of antisemitism and to access support to address incidents of antisemitism on campus.

Support for Students Directly Impacted by Antisemitism

  • Students are encouraged to report all concerns and incidents to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment & Discrimination. Our campus is committed to thoroughly investigating incidents of hate, bias, and discrimination and taking appropriate actions to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone. Students at a training
  • Antisemitism is not easy to experience, witness, or even learn about. The campus offers emotional and mental health support to all students. Resources specifically for Jewish students can be found here.  For urgent concerns,  counselors are available for drop-in appointments. Call (510) 642-9494 to speak with a counselor from Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. When the Tang Center is closed, call the after hours counseling line at (855) 817-5667. 
  • The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students’ Well Being webpage provides information for allies and bystanders.
  • The Restorative Justice Hub offers facilitation and trainings in conflict resolution and harm prevention
  • The Ombuds Office provides assistance for sorting through campus-related conflicts or concerns through listening, offering a sounding board, and discussing possible options.
  • If you have questions, Dr. Gregg Drinkwater and Rabbi Rory Katz are available to consult. We encourage students to report concerns to campus officials and can talk through that process with you. We can also help you navigate and connect  to other support resources on campus and in the community. Reach out to us at aei@berkeley.edu 

Academic Accommodations For Religious Commitments

It is the official policy of the University of California at Berkeley to permit any student to undergo a test or examination, without penalty, at a time when that activity would not violate the student’s religious creed unless administering the examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship which could not reasonably have been avoided. More information can be found here.

Principles of Community At UC Berkeley

Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment. In order to articulate a shared vision, students, faculty, staff, and alumni worked collaboratively with the Chancellor to develop Seven Principles of Community. The Divison of Student Affairs created this webpage to elaborate on these shared values and to explain thier relationship to the  the rights, responsibilities, and policies regarding free speech and the right to protest. 

UC Berkeley makes a concerted effort to support the university’s Jewish students, faculty and staff. The Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Jewish Student Life and Campus Climate meets to coordinate and work together to support the following goals:

  1.  To maintain the strength and unity of the campus Jewish community;

  2. To promote Jewish belonging and inclusion on campus;

  3. To provide educational content and discussion forums to process and learn about developments in Israel and the surrounding region. 

When major issues connected to antisemitism happen on campus, the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Jewish Student Life and Campus Climate discusses such incidents and shares their questions and concerns with the campus administration. The AEI can serve as a resource to help stakeholders understand and better identify campus incidents that involve antisemitism.

A university must be a home for all seekers of truth, or it fails in its purpose.
Judah Magnes, address to the Menorah Society, Columbia University, 1915