The 2024-25 academic year brings added anxiety for Jewish college students, faculty, and staff after anti-Israel hostility spilled into the collective and individual targeting of Jews across U.S. campuses in 2023-24.
“I feel very nervous about being on campus after last year,” said one University of Minnesota alum and employee, as well as parent to two undergraduate students, who was granted anonymity due to concerns about harassment. “[It] was difficult for me as both an employee and a parent.”
Fall semester starts after eleven wrenching months since Oct. 7 – and on top of fresh grief.
“I am gutted and devastated by the news of the execution of the hostages,” they said, voicing what is a widespread sentiment in the community after Hamas killed six hostages in late August, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. “I’m incredibly sad and angry. I am disgusted by the social media I see of the students planning events around 10/7.”
A New World
Before last year, due diligence for a Jewish family researching colleges might have included perusing Hillel International’s lists of institutions by Jewish student population.
More than ever, size isn’t everything.
Columbia University ranks 15th among the Top 60 Private Universities by Jewish Population, but it earned a “D” on ADL’s Campus Antisemitism Report Card.
ADL weighs the good, the bad, and the ugly, from active Jewish life and kosher dining, to antisemitic speakers, and antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents.
Columbia’s own Task Force on Antisemitism report reflects a hotbed of Jew hate. “The problems we found are serious and pervasive,” the executive summary stated.
Jews on campus faced virulent verbal abuse, threats, ridicule, physical attacks, and academic and social exclusion, tacit and explicit. Israelis received “especially terrible treatment,” according to the task force.
Reports of antisemitic incidents on U.S. college campuses increased 700% in 2023-24 over the previous year.
With the return of students to campus for fall semester come more hateful acts, from stolen mezuzahs to groups of “protestors,” their faces covered, chanting “Dogs off campus” and “All Zionists are terrorists.”
Two University of Pittsburgh students wearing kippot were assaulted on campus last week by a keffiyeh-wearing assailant who attacked from behind, smashing a glass bottle on one student’s head and cutting the other’s face. The students fought back and restrained the man until police arrived and arrested him. The FBI is investigating the potential hate crime.
While Minnesota campuses have not been as toxic as others, they are not immune, and the climate is worrisome.
Within weeks of Oct. 7, antisemitism erupted on campuses across the state, including at Macalester College, Carleton College, and Mitchell Hamline School of Law. With nearly 55,000 students, the U has been the epicenter of local campus antisemitism, prompting a Minnesota Senate hearing on the topic.
“It is hard to witness the mob mentality of what is happening,” said the anonymous U employee.
School functions have been disrupted by protestors who, they said, “don’t really seem to understand the situation. For them, it’s a simple dichotomy and they are on the wrong side of history to be choosing the side of a terror group. Do they really know what they are saying when they chant ‘From the River to the Sea’? If so, what is their solution?”
Navigating the new (ab)normal
Michelle Gilats is a St. Paul resident who just helped her oldest child move to an out-of-state college, which meant going through the application process amid the spike of antisemitism.
“We didn’t guide our daughter to make her college choice based on events that happened at specific universities,” she said. “We didn’t want her to be limited, and there is always going to be hate. She actually wrote her main application essay on what Judaism means to her, which she started long before 10/7/23.”
Gilats supported her daughter with pragmatism and calm. “I was really proud of her for that and took some comfort in that if the school had an issue with her being Jewish and didn’t accept her, it wasn’t a place we’d want her to be anyway!” she said.
Launching a child to college still involves what one would ordinarily expect – emotions galore.
“Leading up to the move, I had a lot of sadness about her leaving, and a little bit of worry about how she would do in this new setting, but was also really excited for her,” she said. “We really feel like the school she’s at is the right place for her, so that helps! At drop off the excitement really outweighed the sadness, and there were far fewer tears than I expected!”
In a sign of the times, Gilats researched what to expect as a Jewish family.
“I have definitely been paying more attention to antisemitism on campuses than I would have previously,” she said. “I’m in several Facebook and WhatsApp groups specifically for parents of Jewish college students, to help stay informed [about] what’s going on.”
Mental health
Under the best of circumstances, college presents challenges for students’ mental well-being.
Iola Kostrzewski, ADL’s Minnesota community engagement manager, knows Jewish students face even more.
“My concerns are moving away from the encampments that may or may not happen this year towards students who may not have the language to combat what they are hearing or what is being said to them,” she said. “Which leads me to concerns about the mental health of Jewish students. Students who have Hillels and Chabads on campus will have a bubble of safety, yet what about our Jewish students who do not have this? How as a community are we supporting them?”
Some on campus seem unaware of or even hostile toward Jewish suffering following Oct. 7., and Kostrzewski believes professors can do more to help their students.
“My hopes for professors who feel the need to ‘take sides’ [and] give ‘hot takes’: I hope they slow down and approach everything with curiosity,” she said. “I hope they find the humanity in everything that is happening. I hope they can be a person of refuge for Jewish students who, two weeks into school, are dealing with immense grief. I hope they see their Jewish students and acknowledge their fears and hopes for this school year.”
Identity
If a college campus is a formative kiln, how is the intense heat of today affecting Jewish students?
“[T]here are too many Jewish students on campus who are actively hiding their identity, inside and outside of the classroom, who fear to wear their Magen David out for others to see, and who would never dream of walking across campus wearing clothing with Hebrew lettering on it, or god forbid anything that signifies Israel,” Dr. Natan Paradise, professor and director of the U’s Center for Jewish Studies, said. “They do not feel safe doing so, and for good reason.”
On the other hand, he’s seeing an interesting enrollment trend for Jewish Studies.
“I date it to 2016 when the antisemites really began crawling out from under their rocks: more Jewish students are taking our courses. In my intro course, for many years I would have maybe 5 or 6 Jewish students out of 40,” he said. “That number rose year over year since 2016, and last year for the first time more than half my intro class was Jewish. I think that is at least partly attributable to antisemitism.”
Rabbi Tzemach Feller is on the front lines supporting students seeking engagement. Along with his wife Mushky, he directs Chabad of Macalester-Groveland, a Jewish organization serving St. Paul’s college students and the local community.
“What I have seen in my conversations with parents this year is a heightened interest in and demand for resources and spaces that will help their kids feel comfortable expressing themselves Jewishly,” he said.
As for students, he said: “More than anything else, the spike in antisemitism has created an equally strong reaction in [them] resolving to double down on Jewish pride and observance. Students are more determined than ever to engage in Jewish life, and are more interested than ever in connecting with their Jewish community.”
The students’ enthusiasm is tangible.
“I’ve had to order more mezuzahs because of the unprecedented number of students who have requested them for their dorm rooms,” said Feller.
Minnesota Hillel also supports students seeking community. Amongst other offerings, Hillel’s calendar includes upbeat social events to welcome new and returning students, including a Bagel Nosh and a Welcome Back Shabbat.
“I got involved because I cannot think of a more important and worthy organization right now, given the challenges for Jewish students on campuses across the country and right here in Minnesota,” said Jim Jacobson, an experienced community advocate and a newer member of Minnesota Hillel’s board. “Hillel provides wonderful programming, support and camaraderie for Jewish students, allowing them to fully explore and embrace their Jewish identity in a welcoming environment.”
Empowering Students
What is the outlook for our students during this time of challenge?
“[C]ampuses have always been places where people disagree – even vehemently,” said Rabbi Feller. “I hope that students will make a point of disagreeing without being disagreeable.”
Kostrzewski of ADL knows that Jewish students are exposed to more than simple disagreement. In-person and through social media, they regularly ask her what to do when they experience antisemitism, and she also knows that some have had reason to be fearful.
“First off, I do not judge anyone for hiding who they are for physical or psychological safety,” she said. “Self-preservation is a Jewish value. Yet I do want to remind students they have not only a community behind them, but also their ancestors.”
Many emphasize the power of community, Jewish or otherwise.
“Find your people,” Kostrzewski said. “Whether this is at a Jewish institution on campus, a small group of other students, a professor, etc.”
Feller agreed with the importance of students knowing they’re not alone. “I hope that Jewish students will find the sense of community that is such a lifeline during times like these – that’s what we’re here for!”
A parent to two students who works on the U campus offered these tips to students.
“My advice is to make sure you stay safe and avoid the protests and the protestors. Protect your mental health. Be proud to be a Jew,” they said.
Peaceful times for Jews have not been the historical norm, and students are learning this firsthand. While scary, it’s an opportunity to deepen pride and decide what’s important to them.
“The Rebbe – Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory –taught that you don’t chase darkness away with a stick,” said Feller. “You chase it away with light. When the forces of light and good encounter darkness and hate, light will always prevail. When we are confronted with hatred, our response must be to double down on Jewish pride. They want us to be afraid, to hide our identities—so we push back by living proudly and joyfully as Jews.”
In the greatest encouragement of all, Jacobson said it’s the students who are casting light during this dark time.
“I spent some time this week talking to student leaders and was so impressed with their enthusiasm, energy and passion as the new school year begins,” he said. “It was incredibly inspiring and reassuring to be around these students and to engage with the next generation of Jewish leaders.”
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