Sigma Alpha Mu Stands With Israel

Sigma Alpha Mu stands with Israel.

As we pray for peace and for the people of Israel following the ongoing terrorist attacks that began this weekend, we ask that you take a moment to show your support to your Jewish and Israeli friends.

Sigma Alpha Mu has many Israeli-American alumni and undergraduate members. Thousands of undergraduate fratres and alumni have traveled to Israel on Taglit-Birthright programs. Sigma Alpha Mu believes Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state and supports the U.S.-Israel relationship because Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East. We will not sit idly as anti-Israel speech permeates across American college campuses and we officially oppose the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel.

Sigma Alpha Mu will do everything in our power to strengthen ties between our undergraduate members, living alumni, and the State of Israel.

This statement was published on October 10th with an image of our Sammy/Israel Flag Pin. The pin is now available online with proceeds to benefit Israel causes.

Additional Updates Follow Below

Update from Executive Director Andy Huston:

Sigma Alpha Mu seems to shine brighter in these dark days. Sigma Alpha Mu has been a safe space to gather, mourn, rally, make statements, demonstrate pride, learn, and take action. The spirit of fraternity and mutual moral aid and support could not be more important or more necessary on campuses today. 

The fraternity’s staff and volunteers have been a trusted resource for our undergraduates as they navigate the complex challenges following the terrorist attacks in Israel. Sigma Alpha Mu has provided tremendous education, resources, and support to chapters following the terrorist attacks in Israel.

Our students have expressed fears about campus safety, protests, and university support. Chapters worked with our staff to secure additional security for their facilities before the International Day of Resistance or Day of Jihad. While no Sammy chapter facilities have been directly targeted at this time, we have seen a significant uptick in antisemitic activities on college campuses.

We hosted a webinar with ADL on October 12th for 200+ attendees about the War in Israel and its Impact on College Campuses in partnership with Alpha Epsilon Phi, Sigma Delta Tau, and Zeta Beta Tau.

Many chapters have shared statements supporting Israel that mirror the fraternity’s statement on their social media platforms. Several students used sample messaging we provided to write their university administrations or have spoken out against antisemitic student government resolutions.

Sammy chapters have raised over $7500 for the American Friends of Magen David Adom. We have some great photos of our members at pro-Israel rallies on campus, with the Israel flag hung from chapter facilities, and demonstrating pride in the face of the challenging environment on college campuses.

Do you want to support the growth of Sigma Alpha Mu? Please consider a non-tax deductible contribution to our Bridge Builder Fund at sam.org/bridge. 

Do you want to support the Jewish Endeavors Initiative Grants? Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation at sam-fdn.org/donate. 

Letter Writing Campaign

The atrocities of 10/7 and continued antisemitic statements on campus cannot be ignored. All university stakeholders should condemn these without equivocation. Please consider sharing this Sample Message for University Administrators that can be adapted with your members, alumni, and parents. This important advocacy effort could create a safer campus culture.

#BlueRibbonsforIsrael

Sigma Alpha Mu has joined the #BlueRibbonsforIsrael Campaign. This will give members actionable steps to take during the continued hostage crisis. https://www.blueribbonsforisrael.org/

Resources about antisemitism and Anti-Zionism (produced by ADL)

• 10 Ways to Have Conscientious Conversations on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• Tips for Engaging and Disengaging on Social Media
• Antisemitism Uncovered/Anti-Zionism
• Think. Plan. Act. Tools for Dealing with Antisemitic and anti-Israel Incidents on Campus
• Antisemitism Today
• Antisemitic Incidents: Being an Ally, Advocate and Activist

Sigma Alpha Mu Pro-Israel Resolution

This resolution was adopted in 2015 by the Octagon.

Sigma Alpha Mu Adopted the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

Adopted in 2022.

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

To guide IHRA in its work, the following examples may serve as illustrations:

Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.

Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

• Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
• Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
• Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
• Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
• Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
• Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
• Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
• Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
• Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.
• Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of antisemitic materials in some countries).

Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews.

Antisemitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in many countries.