Addressing Antisemitism

We recognize that Jewish communities have many different experiences, beliefs, and traditions, adding value to our UCSF community. We work to build community and fight antisemitism on campus by starting programs and taking action to heal its effects while promoting understanding among all cultures. Here is a brief summary of our resources and recent efforts.

On This Page

Community and Respect
Understanding Antisemitism
Education and Training
Support and Resources
Safety and Security: Responding to Threats and Harassment

Community and Respect

"At UCSF, one of our fundamental priorities is to ensure that all members of our community, regardless of background or identity, feel safe, seen, and heard… Let us work together to embrace a culture of empathy and true inclusivity in which every member of our community can join in productive dialogue in service of our shared public mission to advance health for all without fear, discrimination, or bias." — Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS

Understanding Antisemitism

The definitions of antisemitism listed below encompass a range of perspectives, each offering a deeper insight into the concept:

Education and Training

Leadership Workshop Series

Designed to educate leaders and others about shared ancestry, including combatting Antisemitism and Islamophobia. UCSF’s ongoing commitment is to advance equity and inclusion for our entire diverse community. Lead by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Office and the Office of Diversity and Outreach and in partnership with the Academic Engagement Network, whose mission is to mobilize networks of university faculty and administrators to counter antisemitism, oppose the denigration of Jewish and Zionist identities, promote academic freedom, and advance education about Israel.

Leadership Workshop: Jewish Identity and Antisemitism on Campus
Antisemitism is rising across the United States and on college campuses. This professional development workshop for university and college administrators provides an overview of Jewish identity, the diversity of Jewish experience, historical and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism, and how to address antisemitism within the context of free speech and academic freedom. It will delve into themes such as Jews, race, whiteness; the intersection between racism and antisemitism; understanding the relationship between anti-Zionism and antisemitism; and how antisemitism plays out on college campuses today. Participants will come away with an increased knowledge and awareness of antisemitism and their role in creating an inclusive campus environment.

Academic offerings: 27 leadership workshops offered from 10/1/24 to 5/29/25.

Other Examples of Recent Programming

  • Breathing Room for Graduate Division Students (November 17, 2023)
  • Supporting Each Other In Community for Learners, Faculty, and Staff (December 5, 2023)
  • Inaugural Jewish American Heritage Month (May 2024)
  • Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day (May 6, 2024)
  • Rosh Chodesh (May 9, 2024)
  • Shabbat dinner (May 10, 2024)
  • Antisemitism and Resilience in Academia webinar (May 21, 2024)
  • A Conversation with Ron Hassner webinar (May 24, 2024)
  • Jewish History 101 webinar (May 29, 2024)
  • Shabbat dinner with UC Law and SF Hillel (September 27, 2024)

Leadership Messages

Support and Resources

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
Invites UCSF faculty, staff, residents, postdocs and clinical fellows to use our free and confidential employee counseling services. FSAP is dedicated to supporting the mental and emotional health of our community, enhancing both individual growth and collective strength.

Multicultural Resource Center
Aims to nurture our diverse body of learners, faculty, and staff through programmatic efforts in community building and education.

Office of the Ombuds
Offers a safe, confidential place to discuss UCSF-related issues and explore possible solutions and resources. The ombuds will listen; help identify options; make inquiries and referrals as appropriate; and/or facilitate resolutions in an impartial manner.

Restorative Justice Practices
Offers a wide application of services that are proactive approaches to building and strengthening trust and a responsive approach that focuses on responding to relational harm by centering the individual and community needs.

UCSF Spiritual Care Services
Offers spiritual and emotional support, and listens with Openness and understanding. Patients, families and staff are encouraged to call a chaplain when experiencing fear, anger, loneliness, helplessness, anxiety, grief or loss or when they just need someone to talk to. Chaplains with Spiritual Care Services provide support to patients, families, friends and staff members at UCSF Health's Parnassus Heights, Mount Zion and Mission Bay campuses.

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing
Provides high quality, culturally responsive, holistic mental health care and wellbeing services to assist learners in achieving academic and professional success as well as lifelong health.

Wellness
Provides resources and support centered around seven Pillars of Wellness: emotional, physical, social, financial, environmental, career, and spiritual. Visit My Wellness for events and resources.

Safety and Security: Responding to Threats and Harassment

UCSF is committed to providing a safe and welcoming working and learning environment free from bullying, intimidation, threats and/or acts of violence. If you have experienced an incident of bias, discrimination, or harassment, please reach out to options below as a next step. UCSF will take prompt steps to assess, investigate, and/or take remedial actions as appropriate.

Immediate Threats of Harm or Violence

Contact law enforcement directly if you experience physical harm, direct threats, or emergency situations. If you need help, dial 911. For on-campus emergencies, call 9-911 from a campus phone or (415) 476-6911 from a non-campus phone.

Reporting Harassment and Discrimination

If you would like to report unwelcome conduct, discrimination, or harassment related to antisemitism, anti-Jew or Israeli hate, please contact the UCSF Office of Ethics and Compliance, Investigations Unit (IU): [email protected].