The UW Jewish Alumni Association was formed in the aftermath of the horrific October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel that took the lives of more than 1,200 innocent people, including Israeli UW alum Dr. Hayim Katsman z”l. Unfortunately, that day triggered an avalanche of Jew hatred and anti-Israel activity on campus that had quietly accumulated for years, bursting into the open during the 2023-2024 academic year.

As alumni and parents of current students, we could not sit by and let our children, alongside brave faculty and staff, to stand up to antisemitism on campus alone. Today, the UWJAA is dedicated to making Jewish life on campus great for everyone. We believe every member of the UW community - including pro-Israel Jews and Israelis - deserves a welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually honest environment.

But, our mission goes beyond campus, because what happens at UW doesn’t stay at UW. As Washington state’s flagship public university, the UW sets the tone for higher education universities from Bellingham to Pullman to Vancouver. It influences our K-12 schools, cultural institutions, and even the decisions of our elected leaders.

This is why our work matters. We are committed to ensuring UW remains a premier public university—one that upholds American values, such as academic excellence, open inquiry, and civility and respect for all. By standing against antisemitism and advocating for a vibrant Jewish presence, we’re building a stronger UW and a better future for our state.