Brown University alumni, students, faculty and guests gathered to celebrate “130 Years of Jewish Life at Brown,” following recent scrutiny over campus antisemitism and Israel-related issues at the private university in Providence, R.I.
The alumni-led weekend event, held from Nov. 7 to 9, featured several social events, panels, performances and a timeline exhibition.
“In elevating this history, we are enriching the diverse intellectual and cultural landscape at Brown,” said Christina Paxson, president of the university, to a sold-out gala in the Lindemann Performing Arts Center.
In 2023, StopAntisemitism gave Brown an F on its annual antisemitism report card.
On Sep. 10, 2024, Brown trustee Joseph Edelman announced his resignation in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, citing the university’s scheduled vote on whether to divest from companies doing business with Israel.
A month later, Brown’s board rejected the proposed divestment, stating that “Brown’s mission doesn’t encompass resolving or adjudicating global conflict.”
In July 2024, Brown reached a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to close Title VI investigations, pledging to ensure Jewish students have access to university programs and to take proactive steps against antisemitism.
Brian Clark, vice president for news and strategic campus communications for Brown, told JNS that the school “has worked over the past several years to strengthen its support for Jewish students through multiple initiatives.”
These efforts, Clark said, include “maintaining robust Judaic studies offerings, outreach to Jewish day-school students, sustaining academic collaborations with Israeli scholars and Jewish organizations and supporting religious observance through kosher kitchens and the extension of the Providence eruv.”
Brown has “taken significant, proactive, effective steps to combat antisemitism,” he told JNS, citing enhancements to Title VI compliance policies, reporting and complaint procedures and community training.
“We dedicate ourselves to ensuring an environment that is free of all forms of harassment and discrimination,” Clark said. “In doing so, we cultivate the conditions necessary for fulfilling our mission of education and research.”
