Board of Deputies highlights work in supporting Jewish staff and students on campus at summit examining university antisemitism

Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman and Director of Education and Community Engagement Dawn Waterman have attended a summit held by Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi looking at antisemitism on university campuses.

University Vice Chancellors were joined by the Union of Jewish Students, the Community Security Trust, University Jewish Chaplaincy and other Jewish organisations to explore the steps institutions were taking to counter antisemitism and what they might do in the future.

Amanda highlighted the work of the Board in supporting Jewish staff, as well as students on campus to ensure that both Jewish students and staff can enjoy all aspects of university life without fear of antisemitism or restrictions to their religious freedoms.

She said: “It’s no coincidence that this Antisemitism Summit was held the day before Holocaust Memorial Day and we thank Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi and Higher Education Minister Michelle Donelan for their strong support to pursuing this agenda to both share what is working in terms of tackling antisemitism and in improving data collection and reporting so that it can be monitored more effectively.  Tackling antisemitism and protecting Jewish students and Jewish staff on campus has been highlighted as a priority by our 300 Deputies. Towards this, we have been working with UJS and the University Jewish Chaplaincy to support their work in both tackling antisemitic abuse and any systems or processes that prevent the full inclusion of Jewish students and staff in all aspects of university life. The Summit provided a great opportunity to hear more about some of the great work that is going on in this area and the recognition and understanding of the pain and damage that antisemitism is doing to Jewish students and Jewish staff on campuses around the UK”.