Since Oct. 7, 2023, antisemitism in the United States is rising to levels that are unprecedented since the Anti-Defamation League started tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago.
The ADL reported that from Oct. 7, 2023, to September 2024, there was a 200% increase in reported incidents compared to the same window of time the year before. The ADL also released findings that in 2023 63% of American Jews said the status of Jews in this country was less safe than it was the year prior.
At synagogues across the country, armed guards, police officers, security cameras and fences are becoming as ubiquitous as prayer books and mezuzahs. Some Jewish day schools have metal detectors and most have steep security protocols. However, another kind of Jewish institution has unique challenges that require their own set of solutions.
At Jewish fraternities, where dozens or even hundreds of people can move in and out on a weekly basis with little more than a stamp being placed on their hand or a nod from a brother with a list, safety is of the utmost importance.
This is especially true considering that many college campuses have seen dramatic rises in antisemitism, even more dramatic than those in the general public.
The ADL reports that about one in four Jewish college students say they feel uncomfortable or unsafe at a campus event because they are Jewish or say they have avoided wearing, carrying or displaying things that would identify them as Jewish.
Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, a Jewish fraternity created in the early 1900s after an already-established house declined to let a group of Jewish students join the fraternity, recognized these challenges and decided to offer brothers the chance to learn how to better secure and protect themselves at last July’s annual international convention.
Former president of Temple University AEPi, senior Sam Fogel, said the presentation was eye-opening.
“We just started to become aware. After that training, I just realized that I have been walking around and not knowing what was going on around me. As a group we’re much more diligent now, if we are throwing a party we know [everyone who is there] and we’re [aware of] every entrance and exit,” he said. “We have a heightened sense of awareness, and we are thinking about time and place.”
Fogel said they offered examples that anyone could understand of this type of analysis.
“If it’s 80 degrees out and you see someone standing outside your house wearing sweatpants and a puffer coat, [you should] be extra aware of that. Even down to counting trash cans outside. We only have one trash can right out front, so if one day we had four or five [we would] take note of that,” he said.
The presentation was headed by Community Security Service, a national nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding Jewish communities. Representatives from CSS reached out to the Temple AEPi chapter in advance to tell them that they wanted to speak to them immediately.
“CSS reached out to AEPi and said that they would love to give us one of the first training sessions and make sure that you guys feel comfortable on your own,” Fogel said.
Three times from May to the end of July last summer, the Temple AEPi house near the university campus in North Philly was vandalized and trespassed on.
“That kind of [encouraged] us to want to seek out some more safety resources and maybe get some training or something along those lines,” Fogel said.
The training was necessary not just because of incidents in Philadelphia but because of rising antisemitism in general, said Rob Derdiger, CEO of Alpha Epsilon Pi International.
“We are immensely proud that AEPi brothers are often leading the Israel advocacy and Jewish pride events on their campuses, and we want to make sure we are providing them with all of the training and skills necessary to protect themselves and others in the Jewish campus community,” said Derdiger. “We’re thrilled to partner with our friends at CSS to provide these lessons and skills to our undergraduates to help protect themselves, their houses and the entire Jewish community.”
Unfortunately, these kinds of training sessions will only become more relevant unless trends begin to change. At CSS, they are preparing for a world where Jews, and Jewish college students especially, need to be aware of everything all the time.
“We are excited to partner with AEPi to bring our community-based security and safety training programs to their members and facilities nationwide. While we would have hoped that such a partnership would not be necessary, the current threat landscape makes it essential,” said CSS Chief Executive Officer Richard Priem. “We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the safety of Jewish students and ensure that AEPi can continue to thrive, providing meaningful Jewish experiences on campus.”
Fogel said he and his brothers embraced the experience.
“I think one of the great things about the training was that it wasn’t just someone standing up front and telling you, ‘This is what you need to do.’ It wasn’t just a lecture. It was very interactive,” he said. “All of us were eager to learn.”