Campus Speech, Antisemitism, and the Law

Since October 7, unrest on college campuses has caused many Jews, Israelis, and Zionists to feel uncomfortable, unsupported, and at times, unsafe. This feeling has led to a number of lawsuits, as well as investigations by both Congress and several executive departments. But what does the law say about such issues? When are protests protected speech, and when do they become unlawful discrimination? Does it matter if the discrimination is antisemitic or antizionist? And what responsibility do universities have to students for the conduct of their classmates? In this class we will look at the how U.S. law approaches these difficult questions, and will practice "thinking like a lawyer" to understand this hot-button issue in a careful and nuanced way.

Joshua J. Freundel is an attorney who works on religious discrimination and free exercise matters. A graduate of Harvard Law School, where he was a Fellow at the Julis Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law, he has studied Talmud and Halakha at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi, and Drisha. He lives in Cambridge and has spent many co-working hours at Lehrhaus.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.