Don’t Be Surprised by Antisemitism
6 min read
I was a Jewish activist on campus who stood up to anti-Israel protesters. Here are a few essential points Jewish students should keep in mind.
In the past two weeks, university campuses all over the U.S. have seen the rise of anti-Israel protests and “encampments” by students. Unfortunately, many of these protests have involved antisemitic chants, flags, outspoken support of Hamas, Hezbollah and other radical terrorist groups, and sometimes even violence against Jewish students.
I graduated from New York University last semester in the winter of 2024. I was involved with several Jewish and pro-Israel organizations on campus and saw the outbreak of these anti-Israel protests when the Israel-Hamas war started after October 7th. I was appalled by my school’s lack of response to the antisemitism at these protests and tried to stand up to it on my own. Protestors spat on me, called me Jewish slurs and other names, and attempted to assault me. I was forced to defend myself against a protester who tried to steal my Israeli flag. They falsely accused me of intimidation and harassment, and as a result I had to attend student conduct meetings and faced potential sanctions from the school, until video evidence clearly proved I had done nothing wrong.
A calm moment at NYU
I am very fortunate to now be in Israel and away from all of that. But reading the news about the current situation on university campuses in the U.S. makes me worried that many Jewish students are currently experiencing what I went through or worse. Here are a few essential points Jewish students should keep in mind as the college semester wraps up:
It’s easy to feel like you are alone and unwelcome when facing such an environment on campus, but you are not. Finding and getting involved with Jewish and pro-Israel communities on campus such as SSI (Students Supporting Israel), Olami, Meor, Hillel, etc. will give you social and emotional support during difficult times. These programs have chapters in schools all over the country. They run events discussing the current political situation and providing opportunities to help support Israel through fundraisers, volunteering, outreach, and other means. If you are interested in counter-protesting the antisemitism on your campus, doing so in an organized group through these communities is a much safer and more productive way to do so.
With the crisis at Columbia that has taken over the news in recent weeks, some Jewish leaders have come out urging all Jewish students to stay off the campus. I disagree. I believe cowering to extremists and conceding control of the narrative is how we have gotten to this point. Continuing to do so will only embolden them further.
It may be hard to believe, but the majority of students do not oppose the existence of Israel. The perception exists because the extreme minority is the most vocal. We need to have those of us on the side of humanity pushing back against them to prevent the window from shifting further. Of course, all Jewish students should protect their own safety and not put themselves in situations where they can be harmed. At the same time, I would argue for all Jewish students to do whatever they can to speak out publicly in support of Israel. This can be through social media, participating in volunteering and fundraisers, or attending organized counter-protests.
In my experiences participating in counter-protests, I’ve seen Jewish students be verbally abused and taunted by their classmates and outside agitators. Seeing this, it’s easy to let anger control you and pull you into shouting matches and name-calling, or even situations that can escalate into violence. These types of encounters only serve to help the antisemites who would love nothing more than to shout insults without having to ponder their own indefensible ideology.
Instead, we should fight darkness with light. One of my favorite moments was when we played songs of peace and unity over the shouts from the anti-Israel crowd. You will never change the mind of those extreme enough to attend protests with chants calling for Israel’s complete destruction, but those watching from a third-person perspective can see the difference between those guided by humanity and those by hate.
Ari Joseph Khaytser
During the start of the Israel-Hamas war, after seeing the rise of anti-Israel protests at my school, I found myself constantly reading the news about it and engaging with antisemitic activists on social media and in person at my campus. While it may be disheartening to see antisemitism spreading on your campus, it’s important to not let this deteriorate your mental and emotional well-being. This is not to say you shouldn’t be informed on the matters happening at your campus, as resigning in the fight for student life is not an option. However, there are often more productive ways to stand up to antisemitism with less exposure to it which can leave you feeling overwhelmed or powerless. A lot of Jews disconnect from the craziness of the external world every Shabbat and let God run the world for a day. I suggest keeping this principle in mind next time you feel the need to read about the latest developments.
Keep a record of any antisemitic activity on your campus. Take videos when you see an incident and try to identify anyone in the videos who is participating in the activity. For university administrations to take allegations of antisemitism on their campuses seriously, we need a compilation of evidence to show a repeated pattern of student actions targeting Jewish students. Report any incidents to the anti-bias or student conduct lines at your school. If the event crosses into any potential criminal activity like battery, theft, or harassment, report the incident to law enforcement as well.
It may feel useless, but administrations do respond to pressure. Working to document and report antisemitic behavior with a pro-Israel group at my school, we were able to create cases against dozens of students who faced sanctions, including multiple who were suspended from the university.
Just now, a week after Passover, yeshivas around the world commenced the summer semester. I commented to some students at a yeshiva in my neighborhood that at least we know there will not be any Pro-Hamas protests here!:)
Strong appreciation for this well founded, very good advice. Follow it. Forward it on.
Anti-semites only understand strength.
We must celebrate the Jewish heroes of UCLA.
Maybe it’s because we are closer to the holocaust. Maybe it’s because, in my baby boom generation you were either a Zionist or an assimilated non Jew. Maybe it’s because at 19 I was an early volunteer in the Yom Kippur war. Maybe it’s because my dad fought in the war for independence. But what I know is when those UCLA guys showed up to bang heads, all of a sudden those milk toast college administrators started to consider the consequences of leaving these pencil necked radicals in charge. The writer is correct in advising the way he does. He is a very mature young man. But if I was 19, I would have played the Jew Bear at ucla or any other place with no no apologies.
At first I thought this was hard to believe, but then I realised this sort of behaviour has been happening for centuries.
The best advice for students is to leave these universities and enroll in a yeshiva or seminary. Becoming more Jewish with the knowledge of what that means is the way to combat antisemitism.
Assimilation always leads to antisemitism
Such wise and amazing advice. (And from such a young person.) Thank you, Ari. And keep writing.
Your article is full of wisdom and measured thought. You have encouraged me to try far harder to bring light into dark places here in the UK. My mother lived and worked in Israel with the Olim - we are Christians who stand with you all. There are many like us in the UK - believe me! We are praying for your protection and believe what the scriptures say.
Psalm 20: some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of G-d
Thank you, Ari Joseph Khaytser, for your beautiful, deep, thoughtful, inspiring article. You have a true Yiddishe neshumeh. Am Yisrael Chai.
Well put. Don’t yield any ground. Be open to compromise from a place of peace and love. Don’t turn the other cheek. It’s 1932 in Germany. 2nd chance. Don’t blow it. Don’t hide. We know who is on the right side of history. No question. ✌️🇮🇱✌️
I stand with God and Israel.. #Jesus was a Jew #CUFI (Christians United For Israel) #Black PeopleLoveJews
And arm yourself with the facts.
Prepare a counter argument that changes the narrative to something similar but from the other side.
e.g. Poster content:
Thank you Saudi Arabia for helping Israel
Hello Ari, I am an American Christian citizen and I may not have a right to comment here, but I do want you and your readers and Jewish friends to know that it is appalling to my family, friends and me to see what our American universities are allowing. I am so sorry that this is happening, we are working on our end through various avenues to stop this, but I believe the Biden regime is going to hinder our efforts in every way possible. The majority of Americans are pro-Israel, pro-Jewish friends, we want you all to be here, to live here and thrive here and feel welcomed and it is excruciatingly shameful to see what is happening. I stand by your article, keep standing for your rights, and I pray that my country wins this fight and ends this disgrace on our nation.
You DO have the right. And GOD BLESS YOU!
I concur!
Great advice. G-d bless you and keep you safe.
Ari, you failed to mention the political factor in your article. American Jews have been one of the Democrats most solid bastions and now they're getting knifed in the back. The riots and illegal protests could have been ended weeks, if not months ago on campus. Instead the protesters have been coddled.
You've been throw under the bus so Biden can win the Muslim vote in Michigan.
the article should be distributed to as many as possible -
Kol Hackavod
It's very very upsetting and infuriating what is going on at American universities. You must have forgotten to mention Chabad Houses on campuses as havens of safety and activity against antisemitism. I know NYU has a very active Chabad House where all Jewish students are welcome.
God Bless, all of the Jewish Students
And may those who don't yet realize it, begin to feel how privileged we are to be Jews: Consider the modern-day great miracle Israel experienced during the Iranian attack, or the just as wondrous nes of the attempted pre-Pesach terrorist rampage that b"H also completely failed.
Naysayers will point out situations when Jews were unfortunately hurt or killed al Kiddush Hashem, but that in no way lessens the miraculous ways we have been saved throughout history.
As slaves in Egypt for 210 years before redemption, that generation undoubtedly couldn't even imagine an alternate state of being until the unimaginable happened.
Likewise, after some 34 hundred years, it's difficult to envision the ultimate Redemption ... but it will happen, hopefully soon, because Hashem keeps His promises!
Jewish students fighting back at UCLA!
i agree 100% with what the author from this article is doing
From "In His Hands" by Yaakov Salomon
Reb Yosef: Know that life is in the exclusive hands of the Almighty. It is He and He only who determines the fate of we, who are but flesh and blood. No matter what happens here today, you must continue your vital work. You have been given extraordinary talents and you must use them without hesitation, remorse, or vacillation. For it will not have been you that failed, [if unsuccessful,] but rather the will of the Creator that has spoken. I hope you understand."
I feel sad that no one sees this as the long range goal that it is: To destroy higher education in America; to reduce intelligence; to increase ignorance and the ability to control and manipulate the population; and, through fear, and, intimidation.
People continue to fail to accept that the enemies of their soul are capable, and engaging in long term, long range goals to bring elevated countries down to the gutter level in order to implement their program of power and control and diminishment of the human life and spirit.
Their hoped for outcome is no different than as it is in Afghanistan. To reduce the human population to misery, confinement by forced imprisonment, depravity, and profound poverty and ignorance.
After all, miles of tunnel and October 7 were made years ago.
I hate to say it, but it seems consistent with many bad actors under the guise of muslim theocracy. Shame on these evil actors. Shame on hate!!
I believe you are correct. And interestingly enough, there are quite a number of "newcomers" to our country. Mostly single males, military age. I wonder what role they will play. What jobs are they being expected to fill?
Unfortunately, only time will tell and the next election.
One can only hope and pray the police, military, and government are already diligently on the situation, despite the contrary appearance.
This is excellent!