‘UC Irvine letter urges chancellor to battle campus anti-Semitism. Students outraged by programs such as ‘Israel: The 4th Reich’’ (Jerusalem Post)

'Fresh Muslim-Jewish Discord on Campus' (LA Times)

'California Campuses Gain a Reputation as Hotbeds of Anti-Israel Rhetoric (Forward)'

Headlines like these have appeared in the media with increasing frequency over the past few years.  As much as they signal a crisis, they also provide an opportunity to address the problem. 

The Rose Project was developed by Jewish Federation Orange County to address the challenging issues at UC Irvine and on other university campuses in Orange County. 

The purpose of The Rose Project is to ensure that students on Orange County university campuses and community leaders are informed about issues of Jewish life and Israel, that they are deeply educated on the facts and the myths, and that they are fully engaged in positive advocacy for Israel and in dealing with challenges that emerge.  The Rose Project also seeks to facilitate respectful dialogue and shared learning amongst different constituents on campus and in the community.

In the last several months, The Rose Project has invested in opportunities to educate and engage Jewish students on Orange County college campuses with programming that addresses Jewish life and Israel and promotes student leadership development and self-sufficiency.  Project-supported initiatives include:

• i-Fest at UCI - a week-long event that brings thousands of students and community members together to celebrate Israel, and to educate others about all the positive aspects of Israel.
• The Olive Tree Initiative - a program through which 14 students (4 Jews, 4 Muslims, 4 Christians & 2 Druse) went to Israel & the West Bank last September.  They heard both sides of this confrontation from the people who are living it.  Everyone came back changed and with a better understanding of the other side’s concerns.  These students are still working together as a group.  Where there was none before, now there is dialogue, better understanding and friendships.  Eight other UC campuses came to UCI early in May to learn about how to replicate OTI on their campuses.
• The ISREALITY lecture series
• UCI campus visits with Ruth Lande, senior advisor to the President of Israel, Shimon Peres; and with Arab-Israeli journalist, Khaled Abu Toameh
• UCI student delegation at the 2009 AIPAC Policy Conference
• Israel education and advocacy training retreats for Anteaters for Israel students
• Jewish Student Leadership Initiative for the Hillel Foundation of Orange County
• Israel education presentations at the UCI Interfaith Center and at Chapman University
• Hasbara Fellowships Israel activism training program in Jerusalem for UCI student delegation

Future endeavors of The Rose Project are anticipated to include the development of a high-level special guest lecture series and bridge-building programs with the Muslim and Christian communities of Orange County.

The Rose Project works closely with our local partners such as the Hillel Foundation of Orange County and the Anti-Defamation League to monitor campus events and provide support to the Jewish students of Orange County college campuses.  Supported by The Rose Project, student leaders of Anteaters for Israel, Hillel:Jewish Student Union, Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, and Alpha Epsilon Phi take advantage of many leadership development and Israel education opportunitites throughout the year.

The Rose Project has been made possible by a pacesetting grant from The Ernest and Irma Rose Foundation, and the support of generous community members.