The Jewish Student Unity is reshaping the fight against campus hate

by Junna Base November 12, 2024

Pro-Palestinian protesters were recently arrested at the University of Minnesota after occupying and damaging a campus building as an expression of aggressive anti-Semitism.

The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on hate, including recent sanctions against Samidoun, the fake charity group linked to the terrorist organization Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and behind many campus protests over the last year.

These actions follow other recent advances in the fight against campus anti-Semitism, including the resignation of four Ivy League university presidents and the fact that anti-Semitic camps have largely disappeared.

Many measures against anti-Semitism are also significant in that they are likely to have far-reaching effects. For example, a Cornell University student was sentenced to 21 months in prison for making online death threats against Jewish students, showing that threats and hate speech will no longer be tolerated.

In California, a court ruled against UCLA for allowing protesters to ban Jewish students from certain campus areas. This decision not only made clear that discrimination against Jewish students will not be tolerated, but also set an important legal precedent and reinforced the need for universities to protect the rights of all minority groups on campus.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators march past a Star of David made of Israeli flags on the Columbia University campus during a march in support of a protest camp supporting Palestinians, despite a 2 p.m. deadline set by university officials to disperse or face suspension to be expected. (Source: David Dee Delgado/Reuters)

There are victories on many fronts

Although challenges remain, it is important to recognize that in many ways we are in a better position as we reach the midpoint of the first semester. The elimination of anti-Semitic camps and the legal victories that protected Jewish students were made possible because our community refused to accept the status quo.

Jewish students mobilized alongside their allies, organized peaceful protests, and worked with lawyers to ensure that anti-Semitism did not go unchecked. Their persistence disrupted the platforms that allowed anti-Semitism to thrive on campus, proving that anti-Semitism can be combated.

However, the victories are not limited to trials and court rulings. Over the past year, Jewish students have dedicated their energy to strengthening Jewish life on campus. Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, cultural events and educational initiatives all saw record attendance.

For example, at the Jewish Resource Center (JRC), an Olami affiliate at the University of Michigan, Rabbi Fully Eisenberger said attendance at Shabbat meals has nearly doubled and requests for one-on-one meetings are increasing so quickly that they want to hire more staff to handle them to be able to keep up.

The explosion in participation in Jewish activities has fostered a sense of belonging and pride, empowering Jewish people to openly express their identities and stand together against hatred.

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By creating strong communities rooted in shared values, Jewish students have created vibrant, thriving spaces that enrich campus life. Their efforts focused on building bridges, educating others, and demonstrating the values of peace, love, and justice that are central to our Jewish identity.

This renewed commitment is not limited to students. Since October 7, more than 40% of American Jews have increased their involvement in Jewish life, with about a third becoming involved for the first time.

We should not underestimate the power that lies within. When Jewish students show up and connect with Jewish values, when they take a stand for what is right, the world stands with them. When we come together as a community and channel our energy into positive action, it is our unity for good that leads to political change against anti-Semitism.

The reason we are making progress on critical issues facing Jews on campus is because we stand together for what is right and just. It is the Jewish people who stand up for Jewish values, resonate in the world and bring about the changes we desperately need. That is our mission.

Our voice and commitment to our values make a difference, but the work is far from finished. Confrontational, anti-Semitic behavior is still very present.

Most recently, on the anniversary of October 7, student groups on over 100 U.S. campuses held events glorifying the Hamas attack. Jewish institutions on campus, such as Hillel and AEPi Houses, remain targets. These incidents show that while some platforms for anti-Semitism have been restricted, the threat remains significant and continued vigilance is essential.

However, these challenges should not discourage us. Rather, they should inspire us to keep fighting by uniting around our Jewish values. Now is the time to do good with renewed commitment.

We cannot win the fight against anti-Semitism overnight. Making meaningful progress requires persistence, love, and a commitment to justice. But recent events show that the world is ready and waiting for us to stand up for what is right. Now it’s up to us to build on this momentum – and we’re just getting started.

The author, a rabbi, is executive vice president and managing director of vision and partnerships at Olami.

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