Pictured: The Omega Chapter at Missouri participated in the Combatting Campus Antisemitism workshop late in the spring 2025 semester.

 

Zeta Beta Tau continues to be a leading educational organization responding to the rising tide of antisemitism and hate crimes on college campuses. The years following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and subsequent Israel-Hamas war are among the most difficult campus climates for Jewish students in U.S. history.

Brothers and friends will be aware of rising concerns from past academic years. Unfortunately this fall has been no different for Jewish students.

• ZBT brothers at the Omicron Chapter at Syracuse were celebrating Rosh Hashanah at the chapter house when a fellow student entered the house and threw a bag of pork into the facility. That student, as well as the driver of the car who drove him away, were charged with a hate crime. This incident made national news.
• A No Kings protest at San Diego State University ended in a verbal attack on the Beta Lambda Chapter brothers. A student, holding a sign with hateful language, left the protest and entered the chapter property, shouting slurs at brothers before he was arrested.

We estimate three-quarters of campuses where ZBT currently has a chapter saw a major antisemitic incident or protest encampment since Fall 2023 school year.

Education a priority

The Fraternity’s first priority continues to be to support and secure undergraduate chapters and brothers. But our long-term strategy includes an important educational aspect.

Heritage programming – the term the Fraternity uses to encompass any education surrounding Jewish culture and religion, Zionism, Israel and antisemitism – is the most important educational area offered within ZBT, reaching collegiate and alumni brothers, as well as their fellow students, campus partners and communities. ZBT’s leadership believes offering more antisemitism awareness and heritage programming is an incredibly powerful educational opportunity in this climate.

“In light of the current campus climate and the world today, we believe these programs are more important and relevant than ever,” said Chief Executive Officer Libby Anderson, CAE.

The Fraternity was honored for our work in antisemitism education and prevention recently.

Combatting Campus Antisemitism

The Combatting Campus Antisemitism (CCAS) educational workshop was developed exclusively by Zeta Beta Tau. The presentation explores the history of antisemitism to build context for the ways it still exists today, encouraging students to think critically about their own assumptions, beliefs, biases and values in order to address inequalities. CCAS is delivered by volunteer facilitators on dozens of campuses, as an interactive training.

Of the nearly 500 brothers who  took part in 2024, just 46% felt they have a strong understanding of what is antisemitism before the session. After engaging in this program, 75% said they have a full understanding, and 98% can explain how Zeta Beta Tau combats antisemitism. This 28% increase in understanding shows the important impact of this program in being a leader on campus in hate prevention.

“I have observed the CCAS program’s tangible benefits: it not only educates but also cultivates empathy, understanding, and proactive allyship among students. Its innovative approach and measurable impact” make CCAS stand out among workshops for students, said Laurence A. Bolotin, Ph.D, CAE, Alpha Zeta (University of Florida) 2001, the International Vice President of the Fraternity.

Due to its crucial impact, CCAS was named a 2025 recipient of the North American Interfraternity Conference’s Laurel Wreath Award, which is presented to individuals or groups in recognition of their unique programs, community outreach or influence within the fraternal world. This is the seventh Laurel Wreath Award earned by ZBT since 2014.

Hate prevention education is among the most important educational areas which most directly represent the founding history and deep-rooted values of ZBT. We are proud to provide programming for a variety of college students that supports inclusion.

Other programs

Zeta Beta Tau continues to adapt and grow our selection of educational opportunities for undergraduate brothers. Educational programs continue to advance the ways in which the Fraternity connects with brothers at all levels. Popular historic programs like James E. Greer, Jr. Presidents’ Leadership Academy and Dover Days (formerly Regional Officer Institute) are continuing this year.

Zeta Beta Tau Foundation underwrites the cost of many undergraduate educational leadership programs that allows ZBT brothers to maximize their personal development opportunities in the Fraternity and prepares them to be leaders of society.

We are thankful for the generous support of donors to the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation who make programs like these possible. To learn more about your Foundation, please visit zbtfoundation.org.

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