By Amy Zewe—
Jewish students face widespread hostility—as told by Isaac De Castro, a Cornell student, who published in NEW YORK DAILY NEWS on MAR 29, 2021
I wanted to bring this article to your attention because it is vital that we all understand that bigotry and hatred have many forms, and some longstanding types are ignored by the social justice movement—if not perpetuated by it.
You may have heard that The Jerusalem Connection started a new initiative in 2021 to raise funds for a college scholarship—a full semester: room, board, and tuition, at Hebrew University in Jerusalem where the student can take accredited courses within his or her major or interests to then transfer back to the US as the student continues his or her degree pursuit at a US college. While our scholarship recipient does have to be a Christian with at least two full semesters of college under his or her belt as well as a minimum 3.0 GPA (and answer some short essay questions), the goal is to give an American student a first-hand account of the people, land and history of Israel and take that knowledge back to their home campus as an eye-witness who has fallen in love with Israel, the Jewish people and the entire culture of Israel and its inhabitants.
So what is the problem of antisemitism on US college campuses? We don’t see it on the news. We saw a few synagogues hit in the last few years, but that was the fault of white neo-Nazis and bad gun control laws, right?
The only students facing discrimination and hostility on US college campuses are people of color and alternative gender identities, right?
They are the ones beat up, humiliated, banned from leadership positions, right?
That is why they need entire groups and clubs and professors to advocate for their safety and rights? Right?
First, let me say injustices on college campuses (or anywhere) against any person for any reason is not acceptable, and should be combatted—I am just requesting some consistency because raising one group over another for deserved justice is just another form of racism or bigotry.
So what is happening to Jews on college campuses?
- Columbia University, Jewish students were spat on and called murderers on their way to class, and professors have told their students anti-Semitism is no longer an issue.
- Cornell, a student assembly member was threatened to be outed to his family if he did not vote for BDS(boycotting, divesting from, and sanctioning Israel).
- USC, the student body vice president resignedfrom her position after being the victim of bullying and harassment for her identity as a Zionist.
- Tufts, a student judiciary member was silencedwhen discussing an unquestionably anti-Semitic referendum because his Jewish identity allegedly made him biased.
(This is just a sample)
Keep in mind Jews make up less than 0.2% of the global of the population and , aiming high, less than 3% of the US…but they endured in 2019 alone, 60.3% were anti-Jewish (compared to 13.3% that were anti-Islamic). and this also far exceeds hate crimes against back individuals or property.
How can you help?
Consider donating to our scholarship fund. Check our website for details AND our website also has the information on how to apply for the scholarship if you are or know any undergraduate college students.
Beyond college campuses, the expansion of this toxic antisemitic ideology is evident in government and public education. This is demonstrated by the newest edits of California’s ethnic studies model curriculum, passed the CA state Board of Education and being examined at the national level under the name “Critical Race Theory.” The curriculum plans aim to teach children a racial hierarchy, in which Jews are the only group described with the word “privilege.” Capitalism was cited as a form of oppression along with racism and Islamophobia; anti-Semitism was not.
College professors and high school teachers and principals keep their jobs even as they deny the holocaust. Swastika and antisemitic flyers litter campuses and communities but this never makes the news and nobody is ever brought to justice.
To learn more about the deep history of antisemitism in our culture, its tentacles into modern society, into the Christian religion, and its endurance through the ages and its continuity of manifestations with each generation, consider a donation of $20 to the Jerusalem Connection and receive a copy of the newly released book the Casualty of Contempt which examines this very topic and includes hope on how we can turn the tide. As a contributing author, I will sign the copy you receive with your donation. Check our website for how to order.
Shavua Tov,
Have a great week
