Study: Over 50% Of Jewish College Students Reported Anti-Semitism On Campus!

By | February 24, 2015

While not a ‘business’ story in the purest sense of the word, Jewish businessmen and women who are paying the high price of a college education for their children may be surprised by the findings in this study!

While the purpose of the articles posted here is to try and provide some business information that may be of use or interest to the majority (or maybe only a few), sometimes a story that might not exactly fit the business mold is important to share none-the-less.

The reason is that it serves as a stark reminder that the more things change, unfortunately the more that they often stay the same!

The results presented in this article also certainly do not preclude the fact that other religions and/or ethnicities face some of the same issues on college campuses but, given the stark nature of the statistics in this case along with the fact that I happen to be Jewish, I felt it was important to share.

Survey: more than half of Jewish college students report anti-Semitism on campus

More than half of American Jewish college students surveyed in a new national study said they have been subjected to or have witnessed anti-Semitism on their campuses.

The National Demographic Survey of American Jewish College Students—jointly conducted by Trinity College and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB)—found that among 1,157 self-identified Jewish students at 55 campuses nationwide, 54 percent reported instances of anti-Semitism on campus during the first six months of the 2013-2014 academic year.

The survey revealed that high rates of anti-Semitism extended beyond both schools with a history of that sentiment and students such as Orthodox Jewish men, who are more easily identifiable as Jewish.

“The patterns and high rates of anti-Semitism that were reported were surprising,” said Dr. Barry Kosmin, a professor of public policy at Trinity College. “Rather than being localized to a few campuses or restricted to politically active or religious students, this problem is widespread. Jewish students are subjected to both traditional prejudice and the new political anti-Semitism.”

Additionally, the survey found that female students are more likely than males to report anti-Semitism.

“We hear frequently from college students who find that their experiences of anti-Semitism are not taken seriously,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, LDB’s president and former head of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. “A decade ago, Jewish college students spoke of the vindication that they felt when the U.S. Civil Rights Commission gave voice to their concerns. … This report should provide a similar vindication, since it indicates that the scope of this problem is greater than most observers had realized.” (Source)

The actual study can be viewed here.

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Written by Michael Haltman, President of Hallmark Abstract Service, New York.

HAS is a provider of title insurance in New York State for residential and commercial real estate transactions.

And, for anyone either buying a property or refinancing, remember that although your attorney will likely recommend a title insurance provider you always have the right to choose your own (click here to learn more)!

If you have any questions you can reach Michael by email at mhaltman@hallmarkabstractllc.com.

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