Columbia University

Columbia’s Hillel director: What do we do about antisemitism on campus?

A Jewish student’s experience on campus should not be defined by antisemitism, but rather by the support they receive when such incidents occur.

|ByBRIAN S. COHEN/JTA
One demonstrator fixes another head scarf outside the pro-Palestine encampment on the Columbia University campus on April 29, 2024 in New York City.
Columbia students, professors, gather in front of the University to rally in support of Mahmoud Khalil, Leqaa Kordia, and the numerous other community members who have been unlawfully detained by ICE, in New York City, United States, on March 09, 2026.

Palestinian activist Leqaa Kordia released on $100K bond from Texas detention

Immigration authorities say they detained her in 2025 for overstaying her expired student visa, though her attorney said she was in the process of securing legal residence.

|ByREUTERS
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji react as confetti falls during his inauguration ceremony in New York City, US, January 1, 2026.

Mamdani hosting Mahmoud Khalil at iftar sends ‘troubling message,’ NYC Jewish officials say

Controversy erupts after NYC Mayor Mamdani hosts radical activist Mahmoud Khalil for iftar, drawing criticism from Jewish leaders over his stance on Israel.

|ByMATHILDA HELLER
A group of young Austrian immigrants wave to the Statue of Liberty upon their arrival in America aboard the S.S. Harding. The 50 Jewish children, who were greeted by their new adoptive families, were fleeing Nazi persecution in their homeland.

Meet the Jews who played pivotal roles in American history

Jews have played pivotal roles throughout key moments in American history. Throughout 2026, monthly online conversations with Jewish historians will journey across American and Jewish history.

|ByJTA STAFF

US education secretary praises Columbia's reforms to unlock $400 million

Columbia University enacts reforms to regain $400M in federal funding after the Trump administration cited concerns over antisemitism on campus.

MARCH 23, 2025ByREUTERS
People take part in a rally held by Jewish activists for freedom and democracy and against the detention by ICE agents of Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil in New York City, March 20, 2025.

Columbia bans face masks in protests and acquiesces to other Trump administration demands

“This is a huge win for Jewish safety at Columbia,” tweeted Eliana Goldin, who is enrolled in Columbia’s joint program with the Jewish Theological Seminary.

MARCH 21, 2025ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
A demonstrator wears a protective mask as protestors gather at the gates of Columbia University, in support of student protesters who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, despite orders from university officials to disband or face suspension during the Israel-Hamas war, in NYC, April 30, 2024.

Trump administration abused immigration laws with Khalil's arrest, Democratic senators say

"We urge you to abandon this pretextual abuse of our nation's immigration laws against Mr. Khalil and others for expressing political views that you dislike," the senators wrote.

MARCH 21, 2025ByREUTERS
Muslim protestors pray outside the main campus of Columbia University during a demonstration to denounce the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead protests against Israel at the university, in New York City, U.S., March 14, 2025.

Trump's assault on academic antisemitism is appalling – but it works - opinion

Even for many of us disgusted by Columbia’s decades-long epidemic of educational malpractice, Donald Trump’s sledgehammer governance again goes too far – yet yields results.

MARCH 19, 2025ByGIL TROY
Demonstrators attend a protest, following the arrest by US immigration agents of Palestinian student protester Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University, in New York City, US, March 15, 2025.

Mahmoud Khalil calls himself 'political prisoner' after US immigration arrest

Khalil was arrested March 9 by ICE and has been threatened with deportation for leading activities that the Trump administration says were “aligned to Hamas.”

MARCH 19, 2025ByBEN SALES/JTA
Protestors gather to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil at Foley Square on March 10, 2025 in New York City. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist arrested Saturday, received a temporary reprieve from deportation.

Defending the rights of Mahmoud Khalil, even when we disagree with him - opinion

American Jews should ensure that Khalil is given full protection of the law, ensuring that their future rights under that law are protected, too.

MARCH 17, 2025BySHERWIN POMERANTZ
A PROTEST takes place following the arrest by US immigration agents of Mahmoud Khalil, at Columbia University, in New York City.

US antisemitism task force to meet leadership of four major cities

The US Antisemitism Task Force is pressing city leaders to address discrimination in schools, as federal scrutiny over rising antisemitism intensifies.

MARCH 16, 2025ByMICHAEL STARR
The seal of the US Justice Department is seen on the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023.

Rights group files lawsuit to block Trump deportations of pro-Palestinian protesters

Lawsuit challenges Trump’s orders to deport international students who protest for Palestine.

MARCH 16, 2025ByREUTERS
APRIL 29: Demonstrators from the pro-Palestine encampment on Columbia's Campus show a banner as they barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall, they barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall, an academic building which has been occupied in past student movements.

To some, Jews just don't have a right to live - opinion

Mahmoud Khalil’s lofty goal of liberation is two-fold – replacing Israel with Palestine and returning America to the indigenous people

MARCH 16, 2025ByCOOKIE SCHWAEBER-ISSAN
A PROTEST takes place following the arrest by US immigration agents of Mahmoud Khalil, at Columbia University, in New York City.

Indian doctoral candidate leaves US after student visa revoked over alleged pro-Hamas activities

The Department of Homeland Security also announced the arrest of a Palestinian student.

MARCH 14, 2025ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Police officers detain a protester inside Trump Tower during a rally against the ICE detention of Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, in New York City, U.S., March 13, 2025.