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Introduction
College students typically engage in a lot of political activity , and you may wish to get involved by advocating for Jewish causes on your campus . Your engagement might include advocacy for Israel , raising awareness about antisemitism , or even opposing instances of antisemitism on your own campus . This guide aims to provide you with a clear , accessible overview of your rights — and the rights of others — as you engage in Jewish activism on campus
Knowing your rights is important not because legal solutions are always — or even usually — the best solutions . Often , other forms of engagement , argument and persuasion will serve you better . But awareness of your rights and the rights of others can help you decide when and how to pursue your goals . Knowledge of your rights can inform what advocacy strategies you use ; help you distinguish between conduct that is illegal , inappropriate , or simply a reflection of legitimate disagreement ; and provide a framework for arguments you might make to your peers , your professors , or your university administrators .
ANTISEMITISM TODAY
Today , American Jews are witnessing rising national rates of antisemitic activity , and Jewish students are confronting an increasingly toxic campus environment for discussion of Israel . For the most part , you can expect your university to handle episodes of overt , traditional antisemitism effectively . But more subtle forms of antisemitism , particularly relating to Israel , can present more complicated situations . While many of your peers and teachers will be generous , thoughtful , and fair-minded , some may be poorly informed , unsympathetic , or even hostile toward the Jewish state .