For Immediate Release
October 26, 2023

Washington D.C. — Today, The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (Orthodox Union), the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, applauds the U.S. Senate’s passage of a resolution condemning antisemitism on American college campuses. The resolution was sponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), James Lankford (R-OK), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

We are immensely thankful to Senators Rosen and Blackburn for spearheading this critical legislation and to every U.S. Senator for unanimously and swiftly passing the resolution at this crucial hour. 

Jewish college students are being harassed and physically assaulted. They do not feel safe, let alone confident, to voice their beliefs. The bipartisan support shown by the United States Senate tells Jewish students that they are not alone and that our leaders will not stand by while antisemitism runs rampant across American universities. 

The Orthodox Union is thankful to our partners in the Jewish community for working with us to advance this legislation and have it passed. America must be a welcoming and safe place for all students, including Jewish students. Together, we will continue fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel. 

Nathan Diament, Orthodox Union Executive Director for Public Policy, said: 

“We are greatly encouraged by Senators Rosen and Blackburn’s leadership in introducing this important resolution. We also thank the Senate for swiftly and unanimously passing the resolution during this crucial hour. America’s college campuses must remain a safe and welcoming space for Jewish students. The support of our leaders will provide a tangible way to address the antisemitic threats our students are experiencing. We will continue working with all parties to combat the dramatic rise in antisemitism since Hamas’ barbaric attack on Oct. 7.”

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Orthodox Union Executive Vice President, said: 

“The Jewish community is grateful for the moral clarity shared unanimously by members of the U.S. Senate as they confront the aftermath of the horrific massacre perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Sadly, that same moral clarity is sorely absent from our educational spaces, leaving Jewish students presently unsafe and creating genuine concern for the future of religious freedom in our  country. We hope this legislation will enable the government to ensure those schools and universities perform the most basic task of education, teaching right from wrong.”

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