Campus administrators will receive training and resources to counter antisemitism and create an inclusive and safe environment for Jewish students

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – As Jewish college students across North America experience unprecedented levels of antisemitism on campus, the University of Virginia (UVA) has joined Hillel International’s flagship Campus Climate Initiative (CCI) program. Hillel’s CCI program is the nation’s leading training and engagement program for college and university administrators to address the alarming rise in antisemitism on campus.

In a unique effort to strengthen ties among university leaders, Hillel International, and the Brody Jewish Center (Hillel at UVA), CCI will provide tools to address the challenge of antisemitism on Grounds and to ensure a safe climate for UVA’s Jewish students where they can feel safe and confident expressing their identity and values across Grounds.

Annie Weinberg, Executive Director of the Brody Jewish Center, said, “Over the last year and a half we have identified significant areas of growth for the University of Virginia when it comes to supporting a sense of belonging and respect for our students in the community. These growth opportunities include more training for leadership on Jewish identity and experience as well as ensuring that Jewish students are a respected voice in the UVA community and among their peers. I’m grateful to be working in partnership with key UVA administrators over the next ten months, with a constant focus on our goal of establishing tangible ways to improve the campus climate for Jewish students and all students in the coming years.

With the addition of the 18 participants in the latest cohort, more than 102 schools across the United States and Canada have now participated in the CCI program. We are proud that the University of Virginia has decided to be a part of the 102 schools on the frontier of combating antisemitism on campus.

As part of CCI, University of Virginia officials will create a meaningful action plan to combat antisemitism on campus. It is structured to align with the University of Virginia’s longstanding commitment to creating welcoming campus environments for all students in order to ensure that Jewish students and their needs are integrated into any broader university efforts to combat bias and discrimination.

More information about CCI and participating universities can be found on the website.

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The UJCVP is proud to be a partner of Hillel at UVA and support them with an annual allocation from the Annual Campaign. This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of the Jewish community.

The Brody Jewish Center, Hillel at the University of Virginia, is the focal point of Jewish life for the estimated 1,000 Jewish undergraduates on Grounds. Building upon UVa’s strong tradition of student leadership, the Brody Jewish Center actively and successfully empowers Jewish students to create relevant and meaningful Jewish experiences focused on education, empowerment, and community.

The University of Virginia is an iconic public institution of higher education, boasting nationally ranked schools and programs, diverse and distinguished faculty, a major academic medical center, and a proud history as a renowned research university. The community and culture of the University are enriched by active student self-governance, sustained commitment to the arts, and a robust NCAA Division I Athletics program.