I had this very experience myself, when a non-Jewish former friend started arguing vehemently with me about what was or wasn't antisemitic. It ended with them telling me that they were more representative of mainstream Jewish thought than I was (the subject was Israel, of course).
Oh, and the story about Hillel is absolutely true. The Hate Israel crowd has in many cases turned joining Hillel or even going there into the equivalent of joining the KKK.
I would impart to them: chazak, chazak …be strong, be strong and let us strengthen one another. There’s likely a local synagogue or temple near them. There may be a diversity of Jewish opinion there, but there will be space made and community. Young adults usually can affiliate for zero dues…and they could benefit from access to Jewish educators, Rabbis and lay leaders. And sadly, out of need, most of these have security. All are welcome. No one would be turned away.
If one cannot go through, it sometimes makes sense to double down and go around. Find another way. Hillel would be welcome to meet in many communal places, far from campus.
Then there is the network of Moishe Houses across the country. These are private homes, where young Jews are invited to build community, share Shabbat and just kick back.
On Chabad - at least on my daughter’s campus, they were most accepting and non-judgemental, classes open to everyone. Men are invited to wear tefillin but women study, and have community as well. Moreover, they are not affiliated with campus infrastructure in the same way as some Hillels and are not on campus. The chabad Rabbi there has been a rock for the students, available 24/7…
One young lady at a campus just started a Students in Support of Israel. She had to fight to find a campus rep to be a sponsor. But she used the university’s process and finally succeeded, with support from community…
College isn’t about how things are or the obstacles or fitting in, it’s about learning to lead, finding a way. Our forebears faced terrible anti-semitism, yet they built Zionist institutions in campuses, joined Jews fraternal or sorority life, and made their community a part of who they were, and would become…There’s a gorgeous world of Jewish life and community around the world - encourage them to take a bite and to create new ways of being together. Haters are gonna hate, but building strength, welcoming one another, finding yourself and your people can begin now, and that can happen despite those opposed to us, and the only way we reach and teach others is by getting stronger and closer ourselves….all in time…
For the non Jew, they are welcome
in many Jewish places, for who they are and can learn alongside their friends.
Hearing this out of the mouths of students living this (and not just from the activist student voices) really really broke my heart and it is so discouraging. I was really hoping we were starting to see a reversal as I've been getting inklings of people waking up, but seeing this so deeply entrenched in academia is even more disturbing to me now more than before.
I had this very experience myself, when a non-Jewish former friend started arguing vehemently with me about what was or wasn't antisemitic. It ended with them telling me that they were more representative of mainstream Jewish thought than I was (the subject was Israel, of course).
Oh, and the story about Hillel is absolutely true. The Hate Israel crowd has in many cases turned joining Hillel or even going there into the equivalent of joining the KKK.
So, yeah, my heart hurts as well. A LOT.
I would impart to them: chazak, chazak …be strong, be strong and let us strengthen one another. There’s likely a local synagogue or temple near them. There may be a diversity of Jewish opinion there, but there will be space made and community. Young adults usually can affiliate for zero dues…and they could benefit from access to Jewish educators, Rabbis and lay leaders. And sadly, out of need, most of these have security. All are welcome. No one would be turned away.
If one cannot go through, it sometimes makes sense to double down and go around. Find another way. Hillel would be welcome to meet in many communal places, far from campus.
Then there is the network of Moishe Houses across the country. These are private homes, where young Jews are invited to build community, share Shabbat and just kick back.
On Chabad - at least on my daughter’s campus, they were most accepting and non-judgemental, classes open to everyone. Men are invited to wear tefillin but women study, and have community as well. Moreover, they are not affiliated with campus infrastructure in the same way as some Hillels and are not on campus. The chabad Rabbi there has been a rock for the students, available 24/7…
One young lady at a campus just started a Students in Support of Israel. She had to fight to find a campus rep to be a sponsor. But she used the university’s process and finally succeeded, with support from community…
College isn’t about how things are or the obstacles or fitting in, it’s about learning to lead, finding a way. Our forebears faced terrible anti-semitism, yet they built Zionist institutions in campuses, joined Jews fraternal or sorority life, and made their community a part of who they were, and would become…There’s a gorgeous world of Jewish life and community around the world - encourage them to take a bite and to create new ways of being together. Haters are gonna hate, but building strength, welcoming one another, finding yourself and your people can begin now, and that can happen despite those opposed to us, and the only way we reach and teach others is by getting stronger and closer ourselves….all in time…
For the non Jew, they are welcome
in many Jewish places, for who they are and can learn alongside their friends.
My late father was a Hillel director and later in national Hillel. I’m glad he never lived to see this moral rot.
Hearing this out of the mouths of students living this (and not just from the activist student voices) really really broke my heart and it is so discouraging. I was really hoping we were starting to see a reversal as I've been getting inklings of people waking up, but seeing this so deeply entrenched in academia is even more disturbing to me now more than before.
My heart hurts.
Mine too.