Campus Climate Update

CAMPUS CLIMATE UPDATE #6
March 13, 2025

Dear Maryland Hillel Community, 

There has been much joy on campus this semester and our students are awaiting the start of Purim tonight and Spring Break next week. Jewish Life has been thriving, with 120 prospective students visiting Maryland Hillel last Shabbat, an impactful challah bake in memory of the Bibas family who were murdered in Gaza, and 200+ people in attendance and 4,000 views online for the inaugural Northeast Hillel A Cappella Competition hosted at UMD, with both Kol Sasson and Rak Shalom accepted into the elite experience and Rak Shalom winning overall. We also had our most successful Giving Day yet, raising over $1 million thanks to the generosity of parents and community supporters. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to strengthening Jewish life at UMD and combating antisemitism. 

Despite our attempts to educate and share the destructive nature of the BDS movement, a small group of SGA students have once again brought an interest in divestment to the larger campus population; this time as a referendum question to be a part of the SGA elections April 1-3, 2025. Jewish students and staff are working tirelessly to fight this again and have created an action plan to defeat a divestment referendum at UMD.  

Our priority is to mobilize students and say Terps Vote No on the referendum question. Spreading the word to as many UMD students as possible is how we will beat BDS.  

• Students and staff will be tabling on campus during the week of April 1, distributing information about the harms of BDS and to vote NO on the ballot.  

• Maryland Hillel will work with other student organizations to promote voting NO on their social media platforms leading up to and during April 1-3.  

• Students are collaborating with organization leaders, including Jewish and non-Jewish organizations and Greek Life, to speak out against the referendum during their events and promote voting NO.  

• We will be printing and distribute QR codes across campus to provide students with quick and easy access to the voting platform.  

• We will continue to coordinate efforts with campus partners, including Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC), to strengthen strategy, communication, and resources.  

While this continues to not be what we had hoped for this Spring semester, the strength of our pro-Israel community will continue to shine. Ensure your student is aware of the vote and that TERPS VOTE NO, April 1-3, on the divestment question on the SGA elections ballot.  

When faced with annihilation in Shushan, it was Queen Esther’s charge to “go, assemble all the Jews” that brought about our people’s salvation.  As Hillel’s core mission is strengthening Jewish community, we pray for a time ahead when our people can continue to gather for only more joy and celebration. 

Happy Purim!