Hillel, STOP Bias Partner for Pilot Training on Addressing Anti-Semitism

Working collectively to address concerns raised by Jewish students last spring, Syracuse Hillel and the STOP Bias program have partnered to develop an anti-Semitism education and prevention training that will be piloted this fall with undergraduate students. The training is part of a larger effort being developed by members of Hendricks Chapel, the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to educate the campus community about and raise awareness of the impact of anti-Semitism.

“In the wake of the hate crimes last November, our students made it clear that anti-Semitism training for the broader campus community is a top priority. We are grateful to bring this important work to fruition in partnership with STOP Bias and Hendricks Chapel,” says Jillian Juni, executive director of Syracuse Hillel.

Facilitated by Rabbi Joel Goldstein, Bias Education and Response Manager Deka Dancil and a student representative from Hillel, the training will be a 90-minute informative and interactive session where students can engage in a safe space and learning opportunity to gain understanding of anti-Semitism, its impact on our campus and the ways in which we can all foster a more inclusive campus culture. By participating, students will critically analyze incidents and images to understand how anti-Semitism has persisted and is perpetuated in society, the harm it causes and how to help build a more just community.

“Over the last few months, a cross-campus team has worked together to design a training program that will help students recognize anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions, encourage appropriate action when intervening if they witness this behavior and provide resources for support,” says Dancil. “The training also incorporates the feedback and suggestions we received from students with Syracuse Hillel who reviewed the training structure and content to make it relevant to students today.”

Hendricks Chapel Associate Dean Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, who is leading the group working on these efforts broadly, says the training is just one piece of the collaborative effort to address anti-Semitism and support a welcoming, inclusive campus for all.

“I am grateful for the expertise, experience and passion of those who have developed this pilot. Their good work will allow us to offer a dynamic training and make an important and needed impact on the University community and beyond,” says Kantrowitz.

The pilot training is scheduled for Oct. 21 from 2-3:30 p.m. ET and is limited to 25 registrants. Students can register now for the training. The training will provide an introduction to the topic and students of varying awareness levels, background and experiences are welcome to participate. The learning outcomes, feedback and experience from those who participate in the pilot will help inform the training program moving forward.