The New School Investigates Student Leaders After Vote to Defund Hillel

Students at The New School in New York City voted to cut funding for Hillel after a report alleged the organization supported Israel’s military actions in Gaza, prompting the university to investigate the student leaders. The move has sparked debates over free speech, institutional accountability, and the role of student governance in addressing ethical concerns.

What Happened at The New School?

The New School’s Student Senate, led by chair Ryder Glickman, voted to terminate funding for the campus chapter of Hillel International after a report detailed the organization’s ties to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The report, produced by the Registered Student Organizations (RSO) Compliance Committee, highlighted students’ participation in Hillel’s “Hillel on Base” program, which includes volunteering at Israeli military bases. One such trip in 2024 involved packing rations for soldiers at the Hatzerim Air Force Base, which has been linked to airstrikes in Gaza. The university’s administration later launched an investigation into the student senators, citing potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Why Is This Controversial?

The controversy centers on conflicting claims of institutional complicity and free speech. Glickman accused the university of sidelining student-led accountability efforts, stating, “We were hoping the university would act on the evidence, but instead, they’re investigating us.” Pro-Israel groups, including Hillel at Baruch College, condemned the vote as antisemitic, with Ilya Bratman, Hillel’s executive director, calling it a “direct attack on Jewish students.” The administration defended its stance, asserting that the Student Senate lacked authority to determine funding eligibility and that the vote risked targeting Jewish students. The dispute has drawn national attention, with elected officials like Rep. Dan Goldman and Rep. Ritchie Torres criticizing the report as “antisemitic” and “discriminatory.”

How Did the University Respond?

Following the vote, The New School’s leadership sent a universitywide email stating that Hillel remained in “good standing” and that the Student Senate’s actions “distorted a qualified student organization.” The email, signed by President Joel Towers and other administrators, framed the vote as an attempt to “hold students responsible for the acts of governments.” Days later, the university’s Office of Student Equity, Accessibility & Title IX opened an investigation into Glickman and other student senators, alleging potential violations of Title VI. The administration later clarified that all student senators involved in the vote were under scrutiny, though no formal charges have been filed.

What Role Do Hillel Programs Play?

The RSO Compliance Committee’s 38-page report detailed Hillel’s collaboration with Israeli military programs, including the “Hillel on Base” initiative and the Volunteers for Israel (VFI) program. These programs, organized by Hillel International and its partners, involve students volunteering at military bases, packing supplies, and assisting with logistical tasks. The report cited specific examples, such as a 2024 Instagram post from Hillel at Baruch showing students preparing meals for soldiers at the Tze’elim Army Base. The Golani Brigade, linked to this base, was implicated in the March 2025 killing of 15 Palestinian emergency responders, according to Haaretz. The VFI program, managed by Sar-El, a nonprofit under the Israeli Logistics Corps, further ties Hillel to the Israeli military,