More than two centuries ago, Virginia helped establish religious liberty as a foundational American principle. Yet today, the Old Dominion is struggling to confront rising antisemitism at its universities.
Virginia’s role in establishing religious liberty as a cornerstone of American public life was foundational and transformative, elevating religious freedom from a matter of governmental tolerance to an individual right.
On June 12, 1776, Virginia adopted its Declaration of Rights, drafted by George Mason. Its Section 16 recognized religious freedom as a natural right. A year later, Thomas Jefferson drafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which protected individual religious beliefs and worship from government interference. These principles were later enshrined in the First Amendment’s religion clauses.
Despite its long tradition of defending religious liberty, Virginia now faces a troubling reality: Jewish students face harassment, threats, and intimidation on college campuses. These incidents are not isolated to one particular institution but extend across the state’s public universities. The sheer number of antisemitic incidents raises a pressing question: Are Virginia’s universities and state leaders doing enough to protect Jewish students?
These incidents of antisemitism on campus reflect a broader pattern. In 2024, the Anti-Defamation League recorded 266 antisemitic incidents across the Old Dominion, a 19 percent increase from 2023. Incidents in educational settings (K–12 schools and institutions of higher education) rose from 11 in 2022 to 55 in 2024. These numbers reveal a growing problem in Virginia’s schools and should alarm state leaders.
Are Virginia’s universities and state leaders doing enough to protect Jewish students?
Antisemitic incidents have been recorded at major public universities across Virginia, including the University of Virginia, George Mason University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, among others. Jewish students at these institutions have reportedly felt compelled to hide visible symbols of their religious identity.
Matan Goldstein, an Israeli-American student at the University of Virginia, is among those who have faced harassment and intimidation because of their identity. In the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist attacks, pro-Hamas protesters reportedly shoved and slapped him simply because he “dared” to wear a yarmulke and proudly carry an Israeli flag.
Testimony from Mackenzie Liu, a Jewish student at George Mason University, reveals how deeply antisemitism has taken root in Virginia’s campus culture. In February 2025, she testified before the university’s Board of Visitors, recounting how half a dozen individuals surrounded and verbally abused her after she painted a Star of David on a wall the university had designated for painting. According to reports, George Mason University failed to respond adequately to this and other antisemitic incidents.
Under former Governor Glenn Youngkin, Virginia was among the leading states in fighting antisemitism, establishing a framework to confront it. In 2022, Governor Youngkin created the Commission to Combat Antisemitism, tasked with studying antisemitism, recommending policies to reduce incidents, and helping higher education institutions address antisemitism and strengthen Holocaust education.
Following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, Youngkin directed Virginia universities to strengthen campus safety measures. In his final year as governor, he signed Executive Order 48, directing state officials to develop mechanisms to identify, report, and track antisemitic incidents in public schools and institutions of higher education.
Since taking office in January 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger has pledged to combat antisemitism. Yet her actions have not matched her words. Rather than prioritizing the measures established under Youngkin, Spanberger’s higher education agenda has focused on restructuring university governing boards through new appointments and reviews of existing ones. Little public information is available about whether her administration is implementing the recommendations and mechanisms established during Youngkin’s tenure.
His successor has yet to demonstrate the same commitment—a troubling shift, as antisemitic incidents on college campuses have become increasingly common.
Youngkin made combating antisemitism a top priority. His successor has yet to demonstrate the same commitment—a troubling shift, as antisemitic incidents on college campuses have become increasingly common.
Virginia established religious liberty as an American ideal and a constitutional principle. Its public universities and state leaders must uphold that legacy and defend religious liberty. Jewish students should not have to hide their identity or fear attending class. Governor Spanberger and university administrators must move beyond promises and act to protect Jewish students.
Jovan Tripkovic is the founder and managing editor of From the Academy and communications manager at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.