New School Votes to Cut Funding for Hillel Chapters
At New York City’s New School, students have made the controversial decision to withdraw funding from Hillel chapters on campus. Critics are calling this a “sneaky” tactic aimed at diminishing Jewish life within the university.
Greenwich Village University is now the first institution in the U.S. to sever financial relationships with Hillel, citing unproven allegations regarding the organization’s involvement in “serious violations of international law.”
The 22-member student senate reached this conclusion by majority vote on Friday, heralding it as a “landmark decision” that deems Hillel “not in good standing” due to its connections with the Israel Defense Forces through student trips to Israel.
Hillel, which serves as a vital resource for Jewish students, has chapters at around 850 universities across the country, offering a space for social events, worship, and religious observance.
In a lengthy report, the student government argued that Hillel’s involvement in a program that organizes student volunteering at military sites in Israel implicates the entire student body. They claimed that part of the tuition fees collected are used to support all student organizations.
“By continuing to fund Hillel at The New School, your student fees could support violations of international law,” the organization stated. “We must uphold our values and enforce policies until Hillel comes into compliance with these laws.”
City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, the chair of the Higher Education Caucus, criticized Friday’s vote, labeling it “despicable.”
“This is an outright attack on Jewish life on campus,” he asserted in a post on X. “The New School must not allow its student senate to be used as a weapon against Jews.”
Jewish alumni expressed shock upon learning of the decision.
“As a Jewish grad, I’m embarrassed to have been associated with your school,” Nicole Malka commented on Instagram. “Universities should champion all student communities equally. It’s apparent they don’t. I’ve heard schools are struggling to attract new students…I wonder why. Good luck with your donations and enrollment. Just kidding.”
The report further criticized Hillel’s participation in the Birthright Israel program, which it claims allows students to engage in tourism activities in occupied areas, including off-road rides in the Golan Heights.
Although the private university has taken the unprecedented step of cutting ties, other institutions have faced similar calls for disinvestment since the attack on October 7, 2023.
In 2024, there was a protest against Hillel at Baruch College, where demonstrators echoed leftist sentiments declaring “Hillel supports genocide.”
Students from various campuses, including Hunter College, the University of Pittsburgh, and Drexel University, have made similar demands to boycott Hillel.
Neither Hillel nor The New School has responded to requests for comments.
