Creating Connection and Community

Creating a Community of Care

As a university, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a culture of respect, celebrating the diverse perspectives and strengths of each Triton. As part of the university’s commitment to the Jewish community’s sense of belonging, Khosla created and charged a workgroup focused on addressing antisemitism.

The workgroup is dedicated to fostering a safer, more inclusive and equitable environment for Jewish community members, and is convened by leaders across campus, including UC San Diego Health and Health Sciences. The workgroup will actively seek community feedback, including input from subject matter experts, and remain responsive to any community concerns. Patty Maysent, UC San Diego Health CEO and one of the conveners, noted that across UC San Diego, well-being is deeply connected to belonging.

“When people feel valued and supported, their health—whether physical, mental or spiritual—flourishes,” she said. “As a university and health system serving our region, we have seen firsthand how our Jewish community members enrich our culture. We are proud to foster an environment where every individual can access the world-class care they deserve, and where everyone feels cared for and belongs.”

Building a Sense of Belonging

That sense of care and belonging, of community and “kehillah,” is deeply woven into the lived experiences of Jewish students and their allies. Through organizations and academic programs, students, faculty and staff find connection, belonging and support that honors the richness of the Jewish diaspora.

Across campus, Jewish students and those who support them can participate in multiple officially recognized Jewish-based organizations. From Chabad at UC San Diego and Tritons for Israel to Persian Community at Hillel, students find a shared sense of fellowship through similar traditions and cultures. Jewish Greek life is also a strong presence, with Alpha Epsilon Pi, Sigma Alpha Mu and Alpha Epsilon Phi fostering close-knit communities rooted in Jewish heritage. Additionally, professional student organizations like Olami JHealth, for Jewish undergraduates interested in medicine, or TAMID, which prepares students for careers in business and finance, provide mentorship and career pathways.

Jewish identity is also reflected in UC San Diego’s commitment to inclusive dining options. The university’s certified kosher kitchen, Spice, is located at Thurgood Marshall College and the result of a joint effort by the UC San Diego Union of Jewish Students and the UC San Diego Muslim Student Association.

For Jewish faculty and staff members, there is the newly formed Jewish Staff and Faculty Tritons Association (JSAFTA), an affinity space that honors the richness and uniqueness of the Jewish lived experience through connection and community. Through the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, employees can also take advantage of the Jewish Wellness Forum, which provides an opportunity for shared expression and listening through compassionate conversations about Jewish identity.

Academically, UC San Diego’s Jewish Studies program has championed Jewish scholarship for more than 50 years, offering courses, mentorship and funding opportunities that explore Jewish history, culture and Hebrew language. Alongside Geisel Library, the program hosts the Holocaust Living History Workshop, preserving the voices and stories of Holocaust victims and survivors.

“It has been a true honor to uplift the work of our faculty members in our celebrated Jewish Studies program and the visiting scholars from Israel who bring with them diverse perspectives and lived experiences that enrich the educational experiences of all of our students,” shared UC San Diego Executive Vice Chancellor Elizabeth H. Simmons.

Maintaining Momentum

UC San Diego has made significant strides in enhancing its support for all Jewish Tritons, but there is still important work ahead.

“Staff-, faculty- and student-led programs like Jewish American Heritage Month, JSAFTA, our Jewish student organizations and the university’s partnership with Hillel shine a light on the contributions, resilience and joy of our Jewish community,” said JSAFTA co-chair and Department of Education Studies Continuing Lecturer Alison Black. “When we openly embrace our identities, we inspire others to do the same, which inspires more kindness and understanding.”

To continue promoting inclusion, the university is committed to maintaining its positive, long standing relationships with Jewish community leaders and organizations both on and off campus. The university partners with ADL San Diego to provide training and publicly available resources, in addition to fellowships that center peacemaking and restorative justice frameworks. UC San Diego also addresses antisemitism and encourages the campus community to engage in compassionate dialogue across differences through the Tritons Belong initiative, launched in 2024. All of these programs and initiatives are bolstered by our Principles of Community, which guide UC San Diego’s climate of belonging, respect for others and inclusivity.

“UC San Diego is deeply committed to shaping a world that embodies the principles we strive to uphold,” said Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Becky R. Petitt. “We endeavor to be a place where all students, faculty, and staff have access to the opportunities and resources needed to reach their fullest potential. Achieving this vision is only possible through our intentional partnerships across our entire enterprise, including our health system. I am very grateful for our shared commitment to advancing this mission.”