College campuses nationwide faced a surge in antisemitism following the October 7 attacks, with incidents increasing by 84 percent between 2023 and 2024, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Yet, at several colleges in the Greater Hartford area, Jewish campus life is not merely surviving but thriving through innovative approaches and strong support systems.
"All too often, headlines about Jewish life on campus come through the lens of antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric," says Edina Oestreicher, UConn Hillel Executive Director. "I don't want to minimize that—but Jewish life is thriving at UConn. Our campus is welcoming and safe, and our Jewish students speak very positively about their experience."
Oestreicher acknowledges that anti-Zionist views have increased, sometimes leaving Jewish students reluctant to reveal their identity in classroom settings. However, she emphasizes that administrative support has been critical in combating a culture of fear. "From the president down, institutional leadership has been incredibly supportive," says Oestreicher. "And where we've had reason for concern, policies have changed or been strengthened as a result of our feedback." When students voiced concerns about insufficient action against hate speech, the university responded by forming an antisemitism action committee. UConn President Radenka Maric, herself Jewish, also shows meaningful support by participating in Shabbat dinners and other Hillel events.
According to Rabbi Levi Schectman, Co-Director of Chabad at Wesleyan University, Jewish students have responded to the national increase in antisemitism by asserting their Jewish identity. “[Our] students have actively started to network with one another to build their community and create a pro-Israel group on campus,” he explained.
At the University of Hartford, Director of Jewish Student Life Lisa Langsner describes a student-led approach to maintaining a culture of safety and civility. "On our campus, it's not just the faculty who put the kibosh on some of these things; the students often police themselves to make sure their peers feel safe."
Langsner and her staff support students’ organic efforts through dialogue-based programming, including "Is Peace Possible?" an event featuring scholars David Makovsky and Ghaith al-Omari, who offered competing perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. "They showed on stage how to have a conversation where you disagree respectfully," Langsner explains. "If we model how to talk to someone with differing views, our students will be able to have those conversations with their peers."
Both the UConn and UHart Hillels emphasize student wellness in their programming, working closely with Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford to provide counseling and outreach services. UConn Hillel also offers "Coffee and Comfort" each Monday morning, an event that allows Hillel staff to check in with the 30-50 students who drop in each week.
All three colleges report a significant increase in student engagement over recent years. Rabbi Schectman reports a surge in attendance at Chabad events and UConn has seen a 30 percent increase in students participation. At UHart, Langsner has deliberately fostered connections across the entire student body. The result is that nearly one-third of UHart Hillel participants are non-Jewish students. "It absolutely serves our Jewish community to create connections with non-Jews," she emphasizes. "When non-Jewish students come to our events, we build allies who understand our experiences. That makes the entire campus safer for Jewish students."
Both Langsner and Oestreicher emphasize how partnerships with Jewish organizations have strengthened their campus programs. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has provided UConn students with education on how to recognize and respond to antisemitism, while Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford has delivered crucial backing to both campuses. "Without the Jewish Federation, we would cease to exist," says Langsner, noting that Federation's financial support has been integral to expanding UHart Hillel's campus impact.
Oestreicher explains that Federation's impact extends far beyond financial assistance. When the Connecticut legislature considered an anti-hate rule for college campuses, Federation’s leadership provided crucial advocacy support for nearly a dozen UConn students who wanted to testify. "[JFGH President and CEO] David Waren and [JFGH Vice President of Impact and Strategy] Heather Fiedler were incredibly helpful in providing our students with talking points and guidance," she notes.
Despite challenges, these Connecticut campuses demonstrate that with thoughtful leadership, collaborative programming, and strategic partnerships, Jewish student life can adapt and flourish. As Langsner puts it, "There are models that work and our campus is evidence of that."
For Rabbi Schectman, the key to combating antisemitism on campus lies in “focusing inward as a community and strengthening Jewish pride,” he says, “showing that we have our own voice, we won’t be cowed, and will walk with our heads held high.”
Above: UConn Hillel students at a campus event