A proactive—not reactive—approach to BDS on campus

The first cohort of the Civic Engagement Fellowship at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ended their 8-weeks together in the late fall. The fellowship is an initiative created by JUF’s Israel Education Center to proactively combat rising trends of antisemitism, by bringing together a diverse cohort to build strong relationships and work together on campus issues. The fellowship focuses on leadership through action with a hands-on approach to learning institutional advocacy and making a real impact on their campus communities.

Fourteen student leaders from diverse backgrounds, both Jewish and non-Jewish, met weekly to learn best practices for building coalitions, joining student government and campus committees, developing leaders to join the movement, and creating systematic change that will continue to help students years after they have finished the fellowship. Through collaborative activities, speakers, and lessons crafted by the Israel Education Center, this fellowship has forged strong lasting connections between the Jewish community, including Hillel and JUF, and emerging Jewish leaders on campus.

“I knew about student government but didn’t know it was that easy to get involved and join committees to address different problems,” one anonymous fellow said. “The fellowship made me want to get more involved on campus.”

Fellows identify an issue on campus they want to address and use the lessons, activities, and one-on-one support from staff, to build momentum and work toward a solution. Through their projects, they gain firsthand experience as to how decisions are made at the university level. Successes from the fellowship include a new campus food pantry, a textbook exchange for low-income students, and a body positivity workshop for Greek life members.

The fellows also have gotten involved in the campus decision making process, with over half the fellows joining campus committees that decide everything from academic programs to dining hall oversight. Other fellows have joined together to form and run on an anti-BDS (Boycott, divestment, and sanctions) slate for student government, choosing to use their progressive and activist interests for the good of students rather than to bolster a BDS platform. Several fellows have signed up to go to Israel with Hillel and have attended Jewish and Israel programming throughout the semester.

This new initiative is the first of its kind, a proactive approach using progressive values to fight BDS rather than just react to it. Jewish students have often felt excluded from the progressive activist circles, yearning to make a difference but not knowing where to start. Through the fellowship, Jewish students and their allies have understood step-by-step how to advocate for issues, join other movements through personal relationships, and become part of the decision-making process.

The successes of the first cohort have inspired several next steps including the following: A second cohort of the fellowship, a potential rollout to campuses nationwide, and a new civic engagement workshop for students interested in starting their campus leadership journeys. The workshop is modeled on the full fellowship and offers an entry point for campus leadership.

The fellowship is breaking new ground by inspired young leaders to enact lasting change in their communities, and give students the tools to stand up for justice.

JUF’s Civic Engagement Fellowship was made possible by a generous donation by Steve Sarowitz.

Yogev Ben-Yitschak is the Engagement Director of JUF’s Israel Education Center.