Students find strength and support through Hillel’s programs as they confront ongoing hate and experience related mental health decline in the aftermath of the October 2023 attacks.
TORONTO, ON – Hillel Ontario today released the results of a province-wide survey of Jewish university students, revealing the persistent challenges they face in the wake of the October 2023 terror attacks and the global surge in antisemitism. The findings highlight both the severity of the crisis and the critical role Hillel plays in supporting students through it.
The survey, conducted across nine universities, underscores the widespread concern among Jewish students and the toll antisemitism is taking on their sense of safety and mental health:
- 86% of respondents said they are concerned about antisemitism on their campus.
- 54% report feeling less safe on campus since October 2023.
- 77% said the rise in antisemitism since the October attacks has negatively affected their mental health.
“This snapshot confirms that there is a normalization of antisemitism on campus, and that Jewish students have lived through it – to their detriment – for over sixteen months,” shared CEO Rabbi Seth Goren. “Hillel Ontario is determined to meet this ‘new normal’ head-on, and uplift Jewish students with the care and support they deserve.”
Despite these ongoing challenges, the survey results demonstrate that students are turning to Hillel for strength, community, and support:
- 95% of respondents said their Jewish identity is important to them.
- 70% stated that Hillel has taken on even greater significance in their lives since October 2023.
- 78% agree that Hillel is central or important to their campus life.
- 76% reported feeling safer in confronting antisemitism due to Hillel’s presence on campus, with 94% saying they feel supported in doing so.
“Students needed our support immediately after October 7, and they haven’t stopped turning to us,” said Jay Solomon, Chief Advancement Officer. “At Hillel, they’ve found a community they trust—one that makes them feel safer. This moment of crisis, while incredibly challenging, presents an opportunity for us to reach even more students as we build the next generation of strong, proud, and joyous Jews.”
Overall, the results reinforce Hillel’s role as the central hub for Jewish life on campus, highlighting the power of community in strengthening and empowering students. Notably, 73% of surveyed students want Hillel to maintain a high priority on combating antisemitism. This reflects how the support and opportunities for Jewish joy provided by Hillel are crucial for students to navigate and push back against this challenging climate.
About Hillel Ontario
Hillel Ontario is the largest regional Hillel in the world, supporting more than 14,000 Jewish students across nine universities. Hillel’s mission is to ensure every Jewish student can engage in vibrant Jewish life, learning, and Israel experiences so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.
Contact
Sarah Raizel Avalis
Development & Communications Officer, Hillel Ontario
sarah.avalis@hillelontario.org
