An Open Letter to University Presidents
5 min read
And their support makes a world of difference to me during these difficult times.
Since the October 7th attack by Hamas, like millions of other Jews around the globe, I’ve been living in a different world from the one we inhabited on October 6th. Our sense of safety and well-being has been ripped away by the ugly truth of a raging antisemitism that exists all around us.
For those of us with family members living in Israel, like our newly married son and daughter-in-law, and those of us with family and friends who were activated by the IDF, our day-to-day lives are filled with fear for their safety. Every time we hang up the phone we wonder when we will hear their voices again. Was this the last conversation, God forbid? These thoughts invade my consciousness; fear has become my constant companion.
As a US Army spouse of nearly 30 years, our family has lived through a war and multiple deployments. We experienced this type of fear many times for my husband and countless other soldiers’ safety, but this time is different. This time my previous defense mechanisms, such as avoiding watching the news 24/7, aren’t enough to help me navigate the day in a calm state of mind. The fear for loved ones’ safety is compounded by the inescapable horror of being surrounded by unrelenting demonstrations of hatred for Jews and Israel, many times in our very own communities, as many of those around us justify the savage murder, butchery and rape of our people. The fear is in the knowledge that yes, it can happen again, if we do not stand together as a people and call out this evil.
In her recent, excellent op-ed in USA Today, American Jewish actress Julianna Margulies gently calls-out most of her non-Jewish friends for remaining silent regarding the Hamas attack and subsequent anti-Israel, antisemitic demonstrations taking place around the country and world, pleading with them to understand our fears.
Julianna Margulies
As I read her words, I could feel a helplessness that has been building since October 7th begin to overwhelm me and this time, I felt powerless to resist it. Jew hatred continues to live and flourish, I thought to myself, and people happily revel in it—or remain indifferent to it.
Over the next several days, these thoughts continued to plague me, even as I readied myself for an event that my husband and I were attending one afternoon. As we walked inside the building, we spied one of my husband’s non-Jewish co-workers and his wife standing several feet away. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the man was wearing an American/Israeli flag pin on his jacket lapel.
As we approached them, his wife asked how our children were and held my hand as I spoke about them. Their love and concern for us was evident and it was at that moment that my feelings of helplessness finally began to dissipate. Others attending also asked about our children and let us know that they are praying for the safe return of all the hostages. Within the space of thirty minutes, I realized that I am surrounded by non-Jewish co-workers, friends and neighbors who care about what is happening to Israel and the Jewish People. And, more importantly, who are not silent about it.
As we live with the painful knowledge that Jew hatred is alive and well, we are not alone.
On the drive home that afternoon, I thought about how unlike Ms. Margulies, nearly all my non-Jewish friends reached out since October 7th to ask about our children, express their shock and outrage over the savage attack, and tell us that they are praying for the hostages and all of Israel. Many continue to do so on a weekly basis. They understand our fear and are standing with us against those who seek to destroy us.
Their outpouring of love, prayers and support serve as a constant reminder that as we live with the painful knowledge that Jew hatred is alive and well, we are not alone. There is something much more powerful than hate: truth. We all must fight the lies that our enemies lob at us daily, and remember that we have many wonderful non-Jewish people in our neighborhoods, communities and countries who are fighting alongside us. Every. Single. Day.
From my husband’s co-worker’s American/Israeli lapel pin to our friend in DC who attended the rally for Israel a few weeks ago and sent us photos and videos with the tag “Am Yisrael Chai.” From my friend in Texas who worried when a Jewish neighbor’s porch no longer had any Jewish memorabilia on it a few weeks ago and inquired why (thankfully it was due to storm-damage and not an antisemitic attack) to our friends and neighbors here with us in Louisiana who wait every morning for me to text them a Jewish star emoji indicating that our children have ‘checked in’ from Israel and are safe, thank God.
I know fear and helplessness will try to rear their ugly heads again as I watch the news (just once a day) and read about the relentless attacks and false accusations made against the Jewish People and the Jewish state. But I will continue to look around at the good people in my life who are lifting me up with their love, support and prayers. We are grateful for every single one of you.
Am Yisrael Chai!
The overwhelming Hatred of the Jews worldwide is being fueled by irresponsible anti-Jewish lies and discriminatory statements — which include embracing a call for the violent destruction of Israel and concomitant genocide of Israelis, as well as reckless false accusations of genocide against Palestinians by Israel through many media outlets around the world.
I'm an African from Kenya in the East African region and I tell you it's an uphill task to educate people see around the waves of disinformation coming through popular media here like the BBC and Al-Jazeera. This is together with other age long misconceptions about Jewish people.
The 7th Oct. horrendous, abhorrent, appalling, and atrocious crime of the Palestinians people against Israelis is a call for aliyah to Jews.
i am glad people who are not Jewish, are supportive of Jews. My heart goes out to Jews, my own people, who were kidnapped by Hamas, murdered and tortured. Murder is not the way, and rape is not the way, and I am very glad some of the hostages have been reunited with and pray all of them return safely and heal.
And I hold we can care for both, Israeli Jews who were murdered and assaulted and for the thousands of Palestinians, equally hueman who are dying in droves, that the murder of Jews counts and does not justify leaving a people with no food no water no electricity no functioning hospitals and countless children dead, killed, They too have been murdered, tortured and jailed for decades. There is a better way. And we together have to find it.
For every kind voice that we hear, there are ten that are indifferent or hostile. I applaud Ms Margulies for calling out those who are on the sidelines. There are good people in the world, but there are more who are tearing down posters, blocking Jewish students from entering classrooms, and calling for the destruction of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. More of us need to speak up. Rose colored glasses should only be for decoration, not for wearing.
It is indeed heartening; thanks to all who love justice and truth!
I forecasted many years ago and continued to state mu opinion, for which Ive been called a Nazi etc. What a difference to when I was younger being called Christ killer.
The more Moslems that enter the democratic and not so democratic countries the worse it will be for Jews, as they with their malicious lies will be applauded bu many. The far left is much worse than the dismal far right. Just look to see the effect in the colleges and universities news media etc. Just happy and confident to take up the Islamic cause to encourage Jew-hate.
Thankfully, one of my two closest non-Jewish friends has kept in contact and become a member of the National Jewish Assembly. This particular friend had been busy placing Kidnapped posters up in London. Bless him
Steve, I know the feeling, being 82 and a very proud Zionist and Jew. All I have been able to do is watch and listen to the media and keep contact with my friends in Israel. In addition to donating monies to various Israeli charities (including Aish)
May the Almighty bless you and others who offer they love and support to the Jewish nation and Israel.
I am a Christian pastor in the States who has no ulterior motive of conversion of the Jewish people but I would give my life to help save one child of Abraham, be they secular or religious, if I could. At age 72 I can't join the military, but believe me, I would if I could. Our congregation sends money to help the poor of Israel, we support homes and institutions for the survivors of the Holocaust and we visit Israel every other year to spread the word of freedom and opportunity that Israel extends to ALL who live there, if they will but reject the 3 NO's of the Arab world and choose to live in peace and prosper. WE LOVE AND STAND WITH YOU!
Thanks for sharing your story. We stand with you and Isreal before and after October 7th and will continue to work to stamp out hatred.
The truth is being heard. Please continue from many sources for many to hear, hearts are listening.
There are so many non Jews like me that love and support the Jewish Nation. Look around you, we are here beside you and will stamp out Jew Hatred. I pray everyday for all of you.
Virginia, we appreciate this so much! May G-d reward you and your family for standing up for truth and justice!