Footage from ‘ Crossing the Line 2 .’

Anti-Israel activism continues to rise on college campuses across North America. Chicago has seen its share of action with student governments at two premiere Chicago universities voting to divest from Israel. The divestment votes were followed by anti-Semitic attacks, some of which are being investigated by the FBI. The rise in anti-Israel vitriol is intimidating Jewish students and “crossing the line” into anti-Semitism.

Two upcoming events, sponsored by JUF’s Israel Education Center, will address the current climate on campus and prepare students and their families for the upcoming year.

On Aug. 12 from 7-9 p.m. Congregation Solel and will host Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions: A Movement Against Israel on Campuses. Participants will hear from a panel of expert campus professionals and students to learn effective advocacy skills and how they can support Israel both on campus and off. The event will take place at Congregation Solel, 1301 Clavey Road, Highland Park. The program is cosponsored by Am Shalom and North Shore Congregation Israel. For more information please contact www.solel.org.

On Aug. 16, AMC Theatre in Northbrook Court will screen Jerusalem U’s new film, Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus, and afterward, hear from a panel of activists and experts. During the afternoon, college students will participate in a special “Back to School Survival Training Workshop” at the Bernard Weinger JCC. Here they will interact with panel guests and other local experts.

Two of the special guests include Muslim born Kassim Hafeez, former anti-Israel activist, who became pro-Israel after reading The Case for Israel, by Alan Dershowitz, and, former University of New Orleans student activist, Chloe Valdry, now a Fellow at the Wall Street Journal. Chloe has been widely recognized for her pro-Israel work as an African-American and her work with the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel.

These events are being co-sponsored by variety of community synagogues and organizations. To register visit www.StepUpForIsrael.com/Chicago .

“We need to awaken the larger community to the seriousness of the problem, but more importantly, to give college students-both new and old-the opportunity to prepare for what they may face on college campus and how to foster a positive Jewish pro-Israel community, “ said David Coleman, Senior Producer with Jerusalem U, the creators of Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus.