LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The state of Kentucky is working to find a solution and to address antisemitism and discrimination on college campuses.

Data from the Anti-Defamation League show that in 2023, the agency documented 47 incidents of antisemitism and six were college-based in Kentucky. Across the nation, however, protests have spread on college campuses including a recent protest earlier this month at the University of Kentucky’s campus.

In a virtual meeting of the Kentucky Antisemitism Task Force on May 15, UK Dean of Students Trisha Clement-Montgomery explained some of the safety and security initiatives at the school. She said their office hosts monthly interfaith discussions, a new initiative launched this year.

“He has conversations with them, about just ways that we can all be supportive of our students and also hearing from them what they may be hearing from our students as they enter some of their religious spaces,” Clement-Montgomery said.

Adam Lehman is the president and CEO of Hillel International, a Jewish student organization. He shared his insights to confront antisemitism on campuses across the nation.

“Education and relationship building will be the paths forward. We do need to win hearts and minds. That can begin with having frameworks for life on campus that do begin with administrative action, but that it’s necessary but not sufficient,” Lehman said.

He said progress needs to be more than enforcing rules.

“The issues we’ve been concerned about are not about free speech, both because they’re conduct based, and because in almost all these cases, there have been reasonable time, place and manner, restrictions, that are content neutral that people are running roughshod over,” Lehman said.

The Kentucky Antisemitism Task Force also voted on establishing a Task Force subcommittee on antisemitism education.