Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has a campus Hillel and Chabad, as well as Jewish Greek life organizations.

Litigation & Investigations

In February 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced that it had opened a Title VI investigation into the University.

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights entered into a resolution agreement with JHU, outlining a series of steps that the University must take to address antisemitism on campus. In its statement, the OCR wrote: ‘In addition to specific proactive outreach to support an inclusive educational environment following the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, the University has comprehensive policies that cover its Title VI obligations to the campus community.’

What’s Happening on Campus?

In recent years, JHU has had antisemitic incidents reported on campus.

In February 2023, a mezuzah was reportedly torn from the doorframe of a dorm room. Since October 7, 2023, Jewish students have said they have been targeted with verbal attacks.

In May 2024, a student reported being physically and verbally assaulted by an individual holding a Palestinian flag. The same student reported seeing a protestor holding a sign on campus reading “Zionism upholds Nazi ideology + white supremacy."

In September 2024, anti-Israel protestors organized by Students for Justice in Palestine and Hopkins Justice Collective demonstrated outside of the Johns Hopkins University Hillel, attempting to disrupt an event that featured an Israeli soldier speaking about his role in a unit that searches for and recovers the bodies of dead Israeli soldiers from Gaza for a proper Jewish burial. The demonstration occurred on a public city street outside of Hopkins Hillel, across from Johns Hopkins campus. Johns Hopkins University Public Safety, Baltimore City Police, and Johns Hopkins Student Affairs and University leadership were on hand to monitor and provide support so all audience members and participants could safely participate in the event.

University Policies and Responsive Action

The President released a statement in October 2023 condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel offered support for affected members of the campus community.

The University has launched a working group to support Jewish, Muslim and Arab members of the community and is providing mandatory antisemitism education to its campus community.

In May 2024, following a 2-week encampment, the University reached an agreement with anti-Israel student protestors, with the protestors promising to dismantle the encampment in exchange for a “a timely review of the protesters' key question of divestment, using the university's existing process...[and a conclusion of some] student conduct proceedings arising out of the encampment, provided the protesters agree not to engage in further disruptions of university activities, including Commencement."

The institution joined Hillel International's Campus Climate Initiative, which has resulted in strengthened policies and programs to support Jewish life.

JHU partners closely with Hopkins Hillel to enhance campus education about Jewish identity and the Jewish community and has collaborated with Interfaith America to offer an educational series about religious pluralism for JHU employees, including a session on antisemitism.

In September 2024, JHU hosted a two-day College and University Presidents Summit on Campus Antisemitism, convened by American Jewish Committee, Hillel International, and the American Council on Education.

In October 2024, JHU leadership, student affairs, and public safety supported Hopkins Hillel and local Jewish religious leaders and community members to host an outdoor vigil on campus, which occurred peacefully and without incident. 

*Following the submission of new information, JHU’s 2025 grade was revised from a C to a B on April 4, 2025. 

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has a campus Hillel and Chabad, as well as Jewish Greek life organizations.

Litigation & Investigations

In February 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced that it had opened a Title VI investigation into the University.

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights entered into a resolution agreement with JHU, outlining a series of steps that the University must take to address antisemitism on campus. In its statement, the OCR wrote: ‘In addition to specific proactive outreach to support an inclusive educational environment following the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, the University has comprehensive policies that cover its Title VI obligations to the campus community.’

What’s Happening on Campus?

In recent years, JHU has had antisemitic incidents reported on campus.

In February 2023, a mezuzah was reportedly torn from the doorframe of a dorm room. Since October 7, 2023, Jewish students have said they have been targeted with verbal attacks.

In May 2024, a student reported being physically and verbally assaulted by an individual holding a Palestinian flag. The same student reported seeing a protestor holding a sign on campus reading “Zionism upholds Nazi ideology + white supremacy."

In September 2024, anti-Israel protestors organized by Students for Justice in Palestine and Hopkins Justice Collective demonstrated outside of the Johns Hopkins University Hillel, attempting to disrupt an event that featured an Israeli soldier speaking about his role in a unit that searches for and recovers the bodies of dead Israeli soldiers from Gaza for a proper Jewish burial. The demonstration occurred on a public city street outside of Hopkins Hillel, across from Johns Hopkins campus. Johns Hopkins University Public Safety, Baltimore City Police, and Johns Hopkins Student Affairs and University leadership were on hand to monitor and provide support so all audience members and participants could safely participate in the event.

University Policies and Responsive Action

The President released a statement in October 2023 condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel offered support for affected members of the campus community.

The University has launched a working group to support Jewish, Muslim and Arab members of the community and is providing mandatory antisemitism education to its campus community.

In May 2024, following a 2-week encampment, the University reached an agreement with anti-Israel student protestors, with the protestors promising to dismantle the encampment in exchange for a “a timely review of the protesters' key question of divestment, using the university's existing process...[and a conclusion of some] student conduct proceedings arising out of the encampment, provided the protesters agree not to engage in further disruptions of university activities, including Commencement."

The institution joined Hillel International's Campus Climate Initiative, which has resulted in strengthened policies and programs to support Jewish life.

JHU partners closely with Hopkins Hillel to enhance campus education about Jewish identity and the Jewish community and has collaborated with Interfaith America to offer an educational series about religious pluralism for JHU employees, including a session on antisemitism.

In September 2024, JHU hosted a two-day College and University Presidents Summit on Campus Antisemitism, convened by American Jewish Committee, Hillel International, and the American Council on Education.

In October 2024, JHU leadership, student affairs, and public safety supported Hopkins Hillel and local Jewish religious leaders and community members to host an outdoor vigil on campus, which occurred peacefully and without incident. 

*Following the submission of new information, JHU’s 2025 grade was revised from a C to a B on April 4, 2025.