The Anti–Defamation League, a civil rights organization focused on combatting anti-Jewish hate, released its 2026 report card on March 26 and awarded the University an “A” for its efforts to combat campus antisemitism. 

The ADL evaluates universities based on three factors: “Publicly Disclosed Administrative Actions,” “Jewish life on Campus” and “Campus Conduct and Climate Concerns.” It rated Brandeis Jewish life as “excellent,” considering the numerous campus initiatives including Brandeis Hillel, Chabad Club, Jewish Greek life organizations and the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies as per the official report. The ADL also reported campus conduct and climate concerns as “low to none” due to Brandeis’ prompt response in revoking its recognition for the Students for Justice in Palestine group after the club used the phrase “from the river to the sea”  during a protest on Nov. 10, 2023. 

As an institution with a 35% Jewish student population, the University is invested in protecting the Jewish community. In April 2023, Brandeis University launched the Presidential Initiative to Counter Antisemitism in Higher Education, which informed administrators and the broader Brandeis community about the harmful effects of antisemitism. In addition to this effort, the Cohen Center for Religious Studies published a report in December 2023 about the hotspots of antisemitism on college campuses which describes Jewish perceptions of antisemitism in 51 colleges since the beginning of the Israel-Palestine conflict in fall 2023. It delves into the different types of antisemitism that Jewish students experience and explains how this hostility affects Jewish individuals’ sense of belonging at higher institutions.

Additionally, plans to renovate Kutz Hall, a former administrative building, are in progress so that it may become the University’s Center for Jewish Life. Brandeis has also extended the deadline for transfer applications for Jewish students and the ADL reported that these efforts have been highly successful in addressing antisemitism alongside promoting Jewish life on campus.

While Brandeis has remained committed in its efforts to preserve a pro–Jewish environment on campus, the University has only increased its free speech score to 56.8 out of 100 by 2.8 points since 2024. Brandeis has received a ranking of 149 out of 257 U.S. colleges and universities and an “F” in its free speech efforts, according to a report from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. This score represents the tension between protecting the safety of minorities and preserving the student body’s right to free speech. The report states that once Brandeis adopts institutional neutrality and is more willing to discuss controversial political ideas without censorship, the University will improve its score. Students report that administrative support is greatly needed so students do not have to self–censor controversial ideas.

The American Jewish community founded Brandeis as a safe space for Jewish students and other marginalized groups in 1948, and as such, the University has remained committed to protecting its Jewish students. Brandeis’ “yellow light” designation means that it  does not always promote free speech on campus when sensitive issues are involved. Therefore, students should proceed with caution when speaking about controversial ideas. According to some observers, institutional focus on combating antisemitism and limited tolerance for opposing political beliefs has made it challenging to have an environment that truly protects free speech.

Overall, Brandeis has remained committed to protecting Jewish culture and life on campus. While its initiatives have successfully created a safe space for Jewish students, the University continues to struggle with balancing free speech with protecting Jewish individuals from antisemitism at a time of high polarization and political tension.