An Open Letter from Jewish Students at Columbia
4 min read
A Jewish student faces palpable fear of campus. How did we get here?
"Do you think they can tell that I’m Jewish?" a young 19-year-old asked her mother, her voice strained with fear.
This conversation took place in 2024, not 1944.
It's a question that carries with it the weight of Jewish history, a history punctuated by persecution and pogroms. The mother, a dear friend of ours, could hardly believe the scenario her daughter was describing. The fears born from the darkest chapters of human history still resonate in the lives of Jews today.
Like many of the demonstrations taking place on campuses throughout the country that are supposedly pro-Palestinian, the atmosphere she described wasn’t pro anything. These students were not demonstrating to help provide food to those in need in Gaza, nor were they working to ensure independence for the Palestinian people.
Chants of "Death to Jews" and "Death to Israel" pierced the air making their intentions clear and transparent. Understandably, this young Jewish student was terrified. What if they find out that she is a Jew?
As I listened to this mother sharing her daughter’s terrifying moment, it reminded me of the scene from “A Small Light “where Margot Frank was trying to join her family in hiding passing the checkpoint undetected by the Nazi guards. The fear lingering that they will see through her confidence and trying to fit in and find out the truth about who she is.
How are we, as a society, allowing history to repeat itself, causing our children to hide their Jewish identity for fear of being assaulted?
Why are universities across the country allowing these encampments turn their campuses into breeding grounds of hate?
This particular campus called in the police since their own security department couldn’t contain the vile “protests” yet they haven’t done anything to prevent or stop them from taking place in the first place. Jewish students still need to pass through areas where their fellow students hurl hateful messages at them.
Campuses and communities must foster environments where political discourse does not devolve into hate speech or fearmongering. Educational institutions, communities, and individuals must work together to uphold principles of respect and understanding. Only through such efforts can we hope to prevent history's darkest days from casting their long shadows over our present and future.
The timing of this incident during the Passover holiday—a time when Jews commemorate their liberation from slavery and oppression—adds a layer of historical irony and pain. Particularly during the second half of the holiday, which celebrates the splitting of the Red Sea, a symbol of overcoming insurmountable barriers and the pursuit of freedom, the contrast between the themes of Passover and the messages at the protest could not be more pronounced.
The distressing experiences of Jewish students on campuses need immediate attention and action. It is unacceptable that educational institutions, places meant for learning and growth, become arenas where students fear for their safety based on their identity. The rise of such incidents not only threatens the well-being of Jewish students but also undermines the integrity of our educational systems.
The echoes of history should serve as a stark reminder. We must take decisive steps to ensure our campuses are safe havens for all students, regardless of their background. The commitment to combatting antisemitism and all forms of hate must be unequivocal and manifest in proactive measures, not just after-the-fact responses.
In this moment, we are called upon not only to reflect but to act, to ensure that no student ever has to whisper in fear about their identity is a fundamental responsibility of our society. As we continue to confront these challenges, let us be guided not by fear, but by the courage to stand up for what is right and just.
Wise, cogent comments by the Rabbi.
Schoo administrators are clearly failing their Jewish students.
A ‘Warren’ type congressional investigation into the obvious, blatant failings of these schools must be conducted. Federal funds must be withheld or accreditation withdrawn.
WHERE ARE THE NATIONAL GUARD? ARE THESE STUDENTS HERE ON A VISA? IF YES SEND THEM HOME OR TAKE THEM SOMEWHERE & TEACH THEM ABOUT WHY THEY ARE PROTESTING FOR TERRORISTS. WHAT ARE THEY GETTING PAID TO DO THIS & FROM WHOM????
Jews have never been "liked". The so called Palistinian protests which are really Muslim protests against Jews just gives the antisemites more powder for their attacks on Jews. True many Christains realize that these protesters hate Christains just as much as they hate Jews and the Christains are not safe either. However, many Christains hatred of Jews overcomes their own safety self interest. One day though they will regret their foolishness. Big Time.
My past family would never believe it and it is happening here in UK. We lived in peace for many years. Going to Shul every Shabbat, celebrate every festival peacefully. We kept things to ourselves our synagogue was plain and nondescript. We made friends with the outside world. Fast forward look at what’s happened, marches full of hate against us Jewish people.
Acquiesence in the face of bullying only invites more bullying.
American Jews must embrace the Second Amendment.
Every Jew must be physically fit.
Yes.
The true Jewish weapon is NOT the gun / sword; that is Eisav's approach to the world. We 'fight' by bringing more light to the world, the light of Torah.
Don't let them win by abandoning what it means to be Jewish.
Kol ha-kavod for your suggestion. However, Jews who don't or can't fight back have not generally survived physical attacks. It's a problem: descend to the level of our attackers and "survive" as somewhat diminished Jews, or stay at a higher "Jewish" level and risk death.
Outside atrocities like the one in Pittsburgh, fortunately, large scale physical attacks on Jews in North America don't seem to have happened yet.
I completely disagree. Defending ourselves is not "descend(ing) to the level of our attackers". Israelis are not kidnapping, raping and beheading Palestinians in Gaza. They are going after Hamas, and proving to do it in more moral ways than any other army in the world or in history. There is morality in strength
No, that's not true. Nowhere are we told to "turn the other cheek", as Xtians are told. We are taught to rise up against those who want to kill us and defend ourselves. If we all embraced the "peace at all costs" philosophy, there would be no Israel today - and pretty soon, as we can clearly see, no more Jewish people.
It is horrifing to hear that in 2024 is like Germany in the 1930s/1940s when there were Nazis(may there name be erased), it is sad to say that at least my mother(obm) a Holocaust Survivor from Auschwitz-Birneau is not alive to see this happening again in America and all around the world