Bringing BDS to Court
May 2016

Despite disgusting anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses in the last few months, there have been significant strides forward in the battle against anti-Semitism and BDS. In a major development, the Brandeis Center filed a suit against the American Studies Association for its unlawful anti-Israel boycott on behalf of a distinguished group of American Studies scholars. This landmark case combats the blatant politicization of this scholarly organization contrary to its true mission. At the same time, the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism issued an important letter from 38 Members of Congress to Secretary of Education John King, Jr., urging the Department of Education to distinguish when criticism of Israel crosses the line into Semitism. Meanwhile, our eighteen Law student chapters have been busy, hosting eleven events in the past four weeks alone. This month's issue of the Brandeis Brief includes fascinating perspectives on the legality of boycotts against Israel, the condition of anti-Semitism on college campuses, and compelling reactions to fight against it. Once again, we thank you for your tax deductible donationswithout you our work could not be done.

Articles 
Jewish Rights Advocate: "BDS Making a Laughing Stock out of the American Studies Association"
Lea Speyer, Algemeiner


The Brandeis Center and other lawyers have brought an anti-BDS lawsuit against the American Studies Association (ASA) on behalf of some of the ASA's most distinguished scholars. The lawsuit charges the ASA with a violation of Washington D.C. non-profit law due to the politicizing of the association. The ASA's stated commitment to being "devoted to the interdisciplinary study of American culture and history" is being violated by the organization's adoption of a boycott against Israel.

Brandeiscenter.com

Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism Meeting
The Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism in the House of Representatives issued an important letter from 38 Members of Congress to Secretary of Education John King, Jr. The letter calls for the Education Department to "identify and distinguish when speech and activity that are critical of Israeli policies become anti-Semitic harassment and intimidation."

As BDS Opponents Move From Campuses to State Capitols, California is up Next
Eitan Arom, JNS.org

California State Capitol
Close observers of the BDS movement have long kept a weather eye on California. Starting with anti-Israel boycotts on the campuses University of California schools, the action has now moved into the California State Capitol building with newly proposed bills and policies.


West Coast LDB law students have been influential in fighting against anti-Semitism and representing LDB's beliefs and values. Students at UCLA stood up against BDS while students at UC Berkeley responded to a trend in anti-Semitic incidents on campus.

 
Professor William Jacobson of Cornell University spoke to a room packed with law students at the University of Chicago, on the topic of "When Does Anti-Israelism Turn Into Anti-Semitism?" 

Open Letter to the Edinburgh University Students' Association
Dr. Denis MacEoin, Gatestone Institute

Relying on the work and research of the Brandeis Center, the letter written by Dr. Denis MacEoin objects to the anti-Israel boycotts that have taken place on campus this year, and justifies his support of Israel rather than Palestine using current events and historical evidence. 

Selective, Biased and Discriminatory: The American Anthropological Association Task Force Report On Israel-Palestine
Elihu Richter, Brandeis Blog
Meeting for American Anthropological Association

This document addresses the selective, biased and discriminatory nature of the American Anthropological Association (AAA) Task Force Report (TFR) in respect to Public Health, the ethics of Operation Protective Edge and the effects of cradle-to-grave incitement in Palestinian society. The working paper recommends retraction of the TFR.

Hate Crime Handbook Highlights Kenneth Marcus' Civil Rights Work
Brandeiscenter.com
LDB President Kenneth Marcus

Donald Altschiller of Boston University, editor of the Hate Crimes handbook, features LDB's Kenneth L. Marcus among the "notable experts on hate crimes, racial and religious bigotry, and political extremists," featured in the new edition of the Handbook, acknowledging Marcus's "excellent advice and support."

In This Issue:
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The Louis D. Brandeis Center is a nonprofit organization supported by individuals, groups and foundations that share our concern about Jewish college students.  Contributions are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  To support our efforts to combat campus anti-Semitism, please contact us at [email protected].
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Kenneth L. Marcus

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The Louis D. Brandeis Center stands ready if we can help you to combat anti-Semitism in higher education. Please contact us if you are a student or professor who needs our help.  We are also available to provide technical assistance to university administrators who are interested in achieving legal compliance and best practices for eliminating campus anti-Semitism.
 
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