Confronting Anti-Semitism on CampusFighting the Good Fight, Together – The Jewish Voice
Posted By admin on October 14, 2020
By Judy Fleischer
Three years ago, Ofir Dayan, an Israeli student at Columbia University, was on her way to a math class. It was her first semester at Columbia and she ran into a Jewish American friend who was leaving the building as she was entering. The two exchanged greetings and small talk in Hebrew.
The next thing Ms. Dayan knew, a woman sitting on a bench near the door, who had heard the two friends speaking in Hebrew, called out the words baby killers.
Ms. Dayan tried to ignore her, but the young woman continued to berate her, screaming at her to Stop killing Muslim babies.
Ms. Dayan asked, Do I know you? The young womans response: No, but youre Israeli. You kill Muslim babies.
Adding insult to injury, said Ms. Dayan, the security guard sitting nearby did and said nothing.
Scenes like that have become all too familiar for Jewish students on American college and university campuses. As anti-Zionist organizations get increasingly vocal in their denunciation of Israel, they are more and more using tactics including harassment, protest, disruption of campus events and even the threat of vandalism to make their point. Last month, Chabad at University of Delaware was burned down and in August the vice president of the student government at USC was forced to step down solely because she is a supporter of Israel.
Indeed, since 2015, there have been more than 3,000 antisemitic events at American colleges and universities, according to AMCHA, a non-profit organization that combats campus antisemitism.
What weve seen over the past few years is a real concentrated effort among student groups, professors and others to isolate pro-Israel students on campus, whether Jewish or non-Jewish, with anti-Israel events, BDS campaigns, harassment in classrooms, even refusing to write recommendations for students to study abroad in Israel, said Rena Nasar First, executive director of campus affairs for StandWithUs, an organization that fights antisemitism and educates about Israel throughout the globe.
Indeed, groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement (BDS) are now recruiting other campus social justice groups to their cause, said Ms. Dayan, including the Black Students Association at Columbia, LBGTQ groups and even the hip hop club.
At Columbia, it was the first time in my life that Israels existence was challenged, said Ms. Dayan. I was shocked, but at Columbia its a legitimate position to hold. Its the cool kids position. Everyone wants to be in that camp.
Ms. Dayans experiences at Columbia and those of other Jewish students on campuses in the United States and abroad will be the subject of an online panel discussion, Making a Commitment: the Fight Against Global Campus Antisemitism, scheduled for October 18 and sponsored by six non-profit organizations, including Hidden Light Institute (HLI), StandWithUs, Menachem Begin Heritage Center, Combat Anti-Semitism, Fuente Latina and OpenDor Media.
The organizer, Tamara Berens, an HLI board member, is a graduate of Kings College London and a Krauthammer fellow at Mosaic magazine. For Ms. Berens, the goal of the upcoming panel session, which will feature speakers from the United States, Britain and Argentina, is to focus on campus antisemitism as a global problem.
We want to rally around the idea that more needs to be done globally, said Berens. Jews need to come together and take a no tolerance approach to antisemitism.
Indeed, Ms. Berens is a living witness to the fact that antisemitism is not confined to American campuses. At Kings College, she said, Jews are often targeted. She recalled that a male friend was beaten up when someone made a comment about his kippah and an argument ensued. As worrisome, several years ago, after a violent protest of a Shin Bet speaker, according to Ms. Berens, the college administration ruled that speakers invited by the Israel Club had to pass muster with the Palestinian Club before being allowed on campus. Importantly, no such restriction was placed on speakers invited by the Palestinian group.
As for reasoned debate among the groups, thats never been possible, said Esther Walker, another Kings College graduate, a former Tikvah Fund fellow and a speaker at the October 18 panel. While some people from the Palestinian Society are open to private, even heated debate, she said, none of them will debate publicly even though the Israel Society has often asked them to.
They refuse because they say that would be recognizing our society, said Ms. Walker.
It doesnt help that technology has made it a lot easier for such groups to promulgate their message to tens of thousands of others via online sites and social media. Ms. Nasar First of StandWithUs said, Online access and social media have emboldened anti-Israel groups and, far from slowing down their mission, has made it easier to accomplish.
People who have, at best, been misguided and, at worst, are motivated by hate, are feeling even more emboldened behind a screen to bully and harass pro-Israel students, said Nasar First.
For their part, college and university administrators may opt to hang back, often issuing blanket statements of criticism or support, but are leery of bad publicity or riling up more disruption. Frequently, said Nasar First, administrators dont know what to do.
Its really easy for an administration to send a mass email saying they dont support an anti-Israel program or that they stand with Jewish students and leave it at that, but that is just not enough, said Ms. Nasar First. We want to see more than lip service, but in the meantime, we are actively taking steps so that pro-Israel students feel protected on campus.
StandWithUs, said Ms. Nasar First, provides resources for administrators (aside from students) and, in the past few months, has seen a few administrations who have stood up and done the right thing. We hope to see this momentum build from here.
The upcoming panel discussion will not only delve into the campus experiences of Jewish students but also will highlight the no-nonsense approach to antisemitism of the late Israeli prime minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner Menachem Begin who himself experienced antisemitism at the University of Warsaw in the 1930s. This program is part of a larger initiative for HLI, the leading sponsor of the event, to introduce, or in some cases reintroduce, Menachem Begin to the world.
On campuses, the Jewish community is often fractured, holding different views about Israel and its place in the world of nations. In the face of that divisiveness and the onslaught of antisemitism, HLI believes Begin can be a role model for young people as they fight harassment and work to support Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. Students today have little knowledge of Begins life or the risks he took to secure Israels birth and his defense of and fight for the survival of the Jewish people.
At the center of HLIs efforts is the production of a documentary on Menachem Begin, to be released in 2021, which will both educate and galvanize, showcasing a strong and principled leader who never compromised when the dignity of the Jewish people was at stake.
For Esther Walker, the relevance of Menachem Begin to her experience and that of Jewish students on college campuses throughout the world is clear.
To me, Menachem Begin is an extremely inspiring leader, said Walker. He was unapologetic and had a humongous commitment to the unity of the Jewish people.
Ms. Walker sees the upcoming panel as an opportunity to refresh her knowledge of Begin and draw inspiration: It reminds me of how truly great he was and that he must definitely not be forgotten.
Like the other panelists who will be speaking about their experiences with antisemitism, Ms. Walker has made a commitment to fight for the Jewish people. To learn about their fight and how to counter anti-Jewish prejudice and discrimination at your college or university, sign up here: https://bit.ly/36R5Mhs.
Making a Commitment: The Fight Against Global Campus Antisemitism is a virtual event that will be held October 18 at 1:00 pm EST. Four student leaders from the US, the UK, and Argentina, through storytelling of their own experiences, will share how Menachem Begins values and legacy inspire them to respond to antisemitism on their campuses.
Read the rest here:
Confronting Anti-Semitism on CampusFighting the Good Fight, Together - The Jewish Voice
- 64 Hours In An Ice Cube [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2010]
- Jewish Rabbi admits Islam is the oldest religion - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2010]
- Israel investigation [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2010]
- EU-Egypt meet on Israel settlement [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2010]
- Dogs Do Amazing Tricks [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2010]
- Israel approves 100 Jerusalem homes [Last Updated On: March 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 24th, 2010]
- Israel closes West Bank for Passover [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2010]
- Legless Dog [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2010]
- Fiddler On the Roof Interviews [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- Fiddler on the Roof Interview: Part Two - Deborah Grausman [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- Obama Oil Spill press conference - Cable Network Production audio feed accidentally picked up [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2010]
- Israel rejects NPT resolution [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2010]
- Axelrod and the jews behind Obama [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2010]
- Israel condemned over ship action [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2010]
- Israel perpetró agresiones contra Flotillas de ayuda humanitaria propalestina [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2010]
- Hace un año que NN.UU. exige desbloqueo y retiro de tropas de Gaza. Israel hace [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2010]
- Liga Árabe denuncia actitud desafiante de Israel [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2010]
- Activistas propalestina proponen boicot contra Israel [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2010]
- Primer Ministro turco califica a Israel como Estado terrorista [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2010]
- Consejo de Seguridad ONU repudió agresión a Flotilla pero no condenó a Israel [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2010]
- Analista peruano opina que el tema de Israel gravitará en la reunión entre [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2010]
- Ian Bremmer "Vastly More Concerned About North Korea" vs. Israel-Gaza [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2010]
- Israel reitera que no permitirá que ningún barco llegue a Gaza [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Raw Video: Israel seizes new Gaza-bound aid ship [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Rachel Corrie flotilla: Israel releases new images [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Legendary White House reporter's Israel gaffe [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2010]
- Helen Thomas, a Hero for Telling the Truth [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2010]
- Israel Soldiers are random shooting to civils on aid ship mavi marmara [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- Find Israel t-shirts, funny Jewish t-shirts and Krav Maga T-shirts [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Israel t-shirts, funny Jewish t-shirts and Krav Maga T-shirts [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- A Day in the Life of Israel Miller – Turning Dreams to Reality [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2010]
- Ofensiva de EE.UU. e Israel contra Irán detonará pronto guerra nuclear: Fidel [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2010]
- Dancing soldiers video goes viral in Israel [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2010]
- Should Israel Apologize for Flotilla Raid? [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- We Love You Israel! [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2010]
- San Remo's Mandate: Israel's 'Magna Carta' - CBN.com [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2010]
- Israel anuncia que devolverá, con condiciones, barcos de la flotilla humanitaria [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Ahmadinejad says US, Israel to attack [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- Meshaal rechaza cualquier diálogo directo o indirecto con Israel [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2010]
- Israel mata a tres soldados libaneses y a periodista durante ataque en frontera [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2010]
- Continúa tensión tras enfrentamientos de tropas en frontera entre Israel y [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2010]
- Trouble Brewing for Israel? [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2010]
- Marquis Laughlin Travels to Israel, The Holy Land [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2010]
- Nasrallah presents Israel 'evidence' [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2010]
- Travel To Israel [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2010]
- Israel's Top Cities [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2010]
- Israel's Top Attractions [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2010]
- Will Israel Launch Strike Against Iran Nuclear Plant? [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 18th, 2010]
- Negociaciones de paz entre Palestina e Israel generan reacciones en distintos [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2010]
- Inicia segunda ronda de negociaciones de paz entre Israel y Palestina [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2010]
- Barry Segal: Vision for Israel - CBN.com [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2010]
- World's Biggest Rocking Horse [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2010]
- Israel reanuda construcción de asentamientos en territorio palestino [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2010]
- Sirios víctimas de minas antipersonas que Israel dejó en el Golán [Last Updated On: November 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2010]
- The Samson Option explodes one of the world’s most closely guarded secrets—the secret of Israel’s atomic arsenal. [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2010]
- Brush Fires Rage on in Israel [Last Updated On: December 4th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 4th, 2010]
- Robot Surgeon Comes to Israel [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2010]
- Jewish Professor: Israel is a client state to the US in the region [Last Updated On: January 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2011]
- Jewish American Heritage Month » B'nai B'rith International ... [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2011]
- Rep. Wasserman Schultz Recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month 2009 [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Why I Left Judaism [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- DEFAMATION - Theatrical Trailer [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Cast of "House" visits Israel [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Surviving the Holocaust: Zanne Farbstein's Story [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League ADL Part 2 [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- JAKE TAPPER on Washington's "Middle East Week." [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Elie Wiesel honored with first US Holocaust award [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League ADL Part 1 [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Marking Jewish American Heritage Month [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Arab Spring not good for Israel [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Eye for Eye? Gazans 'blackmailed' to spy for Israel [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Ann Coulter Insults Judaism [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- The Holocaust that changed the world [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Christian Anti-Defamation League: "Bashing" [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Cool Facts about Israel [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Gaza: The Killing Zone - Israel/Palestine [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Hatikva-The National Anthem of Israel [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Harel Skaat - Milim (Israel) [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Canadian PM: I Will Defend Israel 'whatever the cost' [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
Comments