On July 29, 2015, ADL New York and Hofstra University Hillel hosted Words to Action: Empowering Jewish Students to Address Bias on Campus, an interactive workshop that provides students with effective responses to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias.

Students from several colleges and universities attended the program, including Hofstra, Cornell, Skidmore, SUNY Buffalo and Brandeis. Discussions concentrated on defining anti-Semitism, anti-Israel bias, and anti-Zionism, and how these terms are distinct and interrelated. The group analyzed realistic scenarios, identified which forms of bias are portrayed, and discussed how this might affect possible responses. Next, students spent a large portion of the workshop developing strategic responses utilizing information from ADL’s handbook, ‘Israel: A Guide for Activists.’

Throughout the Words to Action program, students were afforded the opportunity to share their experiences and exchange ideas with students from different campuses. A discussion about why it is critical to be a positive voice for Israel on campus developed and students walked away with effective strategies to respond to biased inaccuracies.
If you would like to learn more about Words to Action or schedule a program in your community, contact Stephanie Merkrebs at Smerkrebs@adl.org.