Joint Advisory Council on Jewish Life & Antisemitism

The Joint Advisory Council on Jewish Life and Antisemitism at the University of Arizona will support and advise the University President, leadership, and UAPD in identifying opportunities to improve the campus environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The Council’s mission includes promoting inclusivity, understanding, and respect for Jewish students, thereby advancing the University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.

History
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Professor Thomas Meixner in fall 2022, the charter and principles of this council were established. In January 2024, the first meeting took place. We hope to make recommendations to President Robbins office by beginning of the new academic year.

 

Membership in the Council:

At any time, this advisory council should be made up of 11-13 people, as follows:

*The appropriate University administrator - Dr. Jennifer Hatcher, Vice Provost Diversity & Inclusion, Cheif Inclusion Officer
*The two directors of UArizona Hillel - Elie Dvorin and David Hameroff
*Two Jewish or Jewish-adjacent undergraduate students - Lilith Clark and Zoe Saltz
*One Jewish or Jewish-adjacent graduate students - Adam Gelman
*One Jewish or Jewish-adjacent faculty member - pending Stephanie Stern
*A representative from the University’s Judaic Studies Department - David Graizbord
*A representative from each Chabad and Olami (campus Orthodox groups), if they decide to opt-in - Rabbi Shmulie Sanowicz
*One Jewish alumni - Lynn Davis
*One local Jewish leader or clergy member - Hava Leipzig Holzhauer
*A member of the local Jewish security team - Paul Patterson and Chelsea Guttierez
*An additional member, as decided by the University, either from the UAPD or the University’s internal security team. - Steve Patterson and Eric Kazmeirczack

Joint Advisory Council on Jewish Life & Antisemitism Officer Information

Elie Dvorin, JD, MBA Executive Director, Hillel Foundation, execdir@uahillel.org, Elie@UAHillel.org

Hava Leipzig Holzhauer, CEO, Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona, hholzhauer@jparizona.org

David Hameroff, Hillel Board Member, dhameroff@hamerlaw.com

Council Initiatives

Objectives of the Council: 

  • Communications & Reporting Create a protocol for responding to antisemitism on campus. 
  • Create a communications and action protocol to improve crisis communications and function integration between campus law enforcement and Hillel and other Jewish entities. 
  • Implement a marketing strategy to spread awareness of reporting protocols to the entire campus community.
  • Education & Training Adopt a plan to continue existing training at the administrative level and across UAPD to increase knowledge and skill to address antisemitism and other types of hate.
  •  Assess and reimagine student and faculty/staff training and DEI office resources on antisemitism in connection with training materials created by Hillel as part of student orientation and faculty/staff onboarding.
  • Improving Campus Culture for Jewish Students Increase awareness of campus-wide events that promote learning about Jewish culture, history, and diversity, including the annual multifaith Shabbat. 
  • Partner on Hillel’s annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day program. Strengthen relationships between Jewish students and other marginalized communities on campus. 
  • Identify opportunities to improve campus climate, and assess University policies around identity, key holidays, food/meal plan options, etc. Welcome the University President and other key administrators at Jewish events each year.

Upcoming Calendar Events