Photo from Chapman University, Orange, CA (taken by Rabbi Cassi Kail, 4/24/24)
My niece Ashe begins university this fall. She is an award-winning national, state, and local speech and debate champion many times over. Ashe speaks truth to power. She is unafraid to speak her mind. Yet at the same time, she has learned through the “Speech and Debate” process to be open-minded and to listen to ideas that differ from her own. She will make a terrific litigation attorney one day.
I am so proud of Ashe and all her accomplishments. Along with her parents, we hope and pray that she will thrive in college, make life-long friends, hone her skills, expand her horizons, build on her already wonderful ability for rational and critical thinking.
Yet at the same time, I worry for her safety and security. As a Jewish woman on campus in today’s rising climate of antisemitism, baseless hatred, fetid vitriol, and biased anti-Israel rhetoric, how will she cope? Will she have the community support, tools, resources, strength, resilience, and courage to persevere and overcome any obstacles in her path?
The events of this past week only exacerbate my worry. This week’s torrent of unbridled antisemitism, under the guise of pro-Palestinian protests, at college campuses across North America gives us pause and cause for great concern: Columbia University opened the door for similar out-sized and outrageous protests at Yale University, Harvard University, Emory, USC, and so many others. Peaceful protests are fine. They may make many people uncomfortable, upset or angry. The words they use may not ring true, yet these do not cross the barrier into inciting violence. Our US Constitution advocates our right to free speech, and college campuses are often the places where students practice the limits of our legal rights. (Such peaceful protests took place/are taking place across many campuses as well: including at Chapman University this past Wednesday).
It’s one thing to protest peacefully: I grew up with parents who took me to many peaceful protests in New York City and Washington, DC. We marched in support of Israel, we protested and marched to free Soviet Jews, we marched against the war in Viet Nam. We were marching for peace. We did not threaten anyone, or intimidate others, or make anyone feel unsafe. However, the slogans that are now being shouted over microphones and megaphones often incite acts of violence and unmitigated hate against the Jewish people, call for the total destruction of Israel, and raise the banner for aggression and war. The instigators of todays’ protests are often paid “actors” brought in to stir up students, many of whom are open to demonstrating for the cause of the moment, without truly understanding the facts and ideas behind the protests. We know the truth. Hamas is a proxy for Iran. Israel has offered a ceasefire with Hamas. Hamas has unilaterally rejected it. We know too, that no protesters are fighting for the 133 hostages to be freed, some of whom are American.
As I read the news, it’s easy to get bogged down in worry for our young people, worry for our people, worry for our society. However, I am an optimist at heart and I have to believe in hope for the future. I cannot remain silent or still, we need to be the ones to make our future the reality we desire. What can we do?
1. We can offer support, a listening ear, and a safe haven – for university students, Jewish professors, campus professionals, parents, grandparents and families of students. We can let them know that they are always welcome in our homes and communities, and we will meet them in their space, to support them however they best need. (I have already been reaching out, as have some of our congregants).
2. Share this special Antidefamation League (ADL) Report “Crisis on Campus” with students and their loved ones. It addresses the current crisis as well as provides a link to tools and resources.
3. Learn first-hand from one of our TBS university students: The Truth About Being Jewish and In College , by Temple Beth Sholom’s own Hannah Kotkin (daughter of Mandy Shamis Kotkin and Joel Kotkin). Hannah is a sophomore at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.
4. Join us this Sunday, April 28 for our timely session: “Shared Experiences with Antisemitism: Cultivating Connection and Resources Through Dialogue (for all school age, K-12+, parents and grandparents). Guest Speaker: Rabbi Peter Levi, ADL Regional Director OC and Long Beach. Register HERE
Today is the third day of "chol ha'mo'ed Pesach - the intermediate days of Passover." This is our "Festival of Freedom" when we celebrate our liberation from bondage, our ability to live our lives as a free people. We never gave up hope back in ancient times, or any other time we have been threatened as a people.
Let us not be defined by the darkness that surrounds us. Instead, let us draw strength from our Passover story, our community, and our shared history of resilience. We are a people who have endured through centuries of adversity, emerging stronger each time. Even in the face of hatred, we have the power to spread light. Let us be those beacons of light, hope, love, and tolerance, shining brightly in the darkness, lighting the way to a future of peace, safety, security, and harmony for all.
My friend and colleague (and newly published poet!), Rabbi Evan Schultz, just wrote this poem to summarize how many of us feel about these complicated times:
I used to think
Even
Two Seders
Was one Seder
Too many.
Resetting the table
Sweeping up
The matzah crumbs
Asking four
More questions
Reheating the soup
And the brisket
Eating bitterness
Kids up way too late
But this year
I wish there was
a third Seder
Even a fourth
And fifth.
Because I
Could use some
More order
In a chaotic
World
Where I don’t
Know what
Even tomorrow
Holds for
My people
-Rabbi Evan Schultz (Senior Rabbi, Congregation B'nai Israel, Bridgeport, CT)
