Words of Strength
Throughout history, attempts to erase the Jewish people have failed—not because Jews were passive victims, but because they were active builders. In ghettos, they created schools. In exile, they wrote poetry. In darkness, they kindled light.
You are part of that unbroken tradition. When you show up to class despite the hostile environment, you're continuing that legacy. When you wear your Star of David proudly, you're honoring your ancestors who couldn't. When you celebrate Shabbat with friends, you're ensuring that Jewish life continues for another generation.
You Are Not Broken
If you're feeling anxious, angry, or exhausted—that's not a sign of weakness. It's a sign that you're paying attention. The problem isn't with you; it's with a culture that tolerates hatred against your community while claiming to fight hate.
Your discomfort at being asked to denounce Israel as a precondition for acceptance isn't hypersensitivity—it's clarity. Your frustration at watching swastikas spray-painted on campus while being told antisemitism is "complicated" isn't overreaction—it's sanity.
Trust your instincts. Trust your experience. You know antisemitism when you see it, no matter how it's dressed up in the language of social justice.
Remember Who You Are
You are the descendants of Abraham and Sarah, of Moses and Miriam. You are the children of prophets who demanded justice, of rabbis who debated the meaning of mercy, of mothers who lit candles on Friday nights through pogroms and persecutions.
You are the people who survived Pharaoh and Babylon, the Crusades and the Inquisition, the pogroms and the Holocaust. You are the people who responded to the world's worst tragedy by building a nation, winning Nobel Prizes, and continuing to argue about everything because argument is the Jewish way of showing love.
You are part of something bigger than any campus group, any political movement, any temporary wave of hate. You are part of Am Yisrael—the eternal people.
A Letter to Young Jewish Americans
Dear Friend,
We see you. We see what you're going through.
We see you hiding your Star of David necklace before walking to class. We see you hesitating before saying where you went on your Birthright trip. We see you sitting silently while classmates chant slogans that call for your erasure, wondering if anyone will speak up—and too often, watching no one do so.
We see you being told that your identity makes you an oppressor, that your people's ancient homeland is a "colonial project," that your grief over murdered innocents is somehow illegitimate. We see you losing friends who've decided your Jewishness disqualifies you from their social justice movements—movements your grandparents helped build.
We see you, and we want you to know: You are not alone.
What you're experiencing isn't normal. It isn't acceptable. And it isn't your fault.
The hatred you're facing is ancient—but so is your people's resilience. For thousands of years, in every generation, there have been those who sought to diminish, expel, or destroy the Jewish people. And in every generation, the Jewish people have survived, thrived, and contributed immeasurably to human civilization.
You are the heirs of Einstein and Freud, of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Jonas Salk, of Bob Dylan and Steven Spielberg. You are the children of a people who gave the world monotheism, the weekend, and the very concept of human dignity rooted in being created in God's image.
Do not let anyone make you ashamed of that inheritance.
We know it's hard. We know you're tired of explaining that Zionism simply means believing Jewish people have a right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland—just like every other people. We know you're exhausted by the double standards, the gaslighting, the loneliness of being told your lived experience of antisemitism isn't real.
So here's what we want you to hear:
Your identity is not up for debate. You don't need permission to be Jewish, to love Israel, to grieve for Israeli victims, or to be proud of your heritage. Those who demand you denounce your own people as the price of admission to their movements are not allies worth having.
Your safety matters. If you feel unsafe on campus, report it. Document everything. Reach out to organizations like Hillel, the ADL, or StandWithUs. You have rights, and there are people who will fight for them.
Find your people. Seek out Jewish community, wherever you can find it. There is strength in gathering with others who understand what you're going through. You don't have to face this alone.
Your voice matters. Speak up when you can—not because you have to justify your existence, but because your perspective deserves to be heard. And when you're too tired to speak, let others speak for you. That's what community is for.
This too shall pass. The Hebrew phrase "Gam ze ya'avor" has sustained your people through darker times than these. The current wave of hate is real, but it is not permanent. History bends toward justice when good people refuse to be silent.
To our non-Jewish readers: If you have Jewish friends, classmates, or neighbors, reach out to them. Ask how they're doing. Let them know you see what's happening and you stand with them. Sometimes a simple "I'm sorry you're going through this" means everything.
To our young Jewish friends: Am Yisrael Chai. The people of Israel live. You are part of an unbroken chain stretching back thousands of years and forward into a future you will help build.
Hold your head high. We've got your back.
With love and solidarity,
Digital Civic Duties
Practical Advice
💪 Build Your Support Network
Find your people—whether it's Hillel, Chabad, a Shabbat dinner group, or just a few friends who get it. Community is protection. You need people who will have your back when things get hard, and who you can celebrate with when things are good.
📱 Document Everything
If you experience antisemitism—save it. Screenshot it. Report it to campus authorities, to the ADL, to the organizations above. Documentation matters for patterns, for legal action, for making sure your story is heard.
🧘 Take Care of Yourself
This is a marathon, not a sprint. It's okay to step back from social media. It's okay to skip the protest that makes you feel unsafe. It's okay to prioritize your mental health. Self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary.
🎓 Excel Academically
The best response to those who want to diminish you is to succeed. Focus on your education, pursue your passions, build your future. Living well—and Jewishly—is the ultimate act of defiance.
A Message to Allies
If you're reading this and you're not Jewish, thank you for being here. Your support matters more than you know. Here's how you can help:
- Listen. When your Jewish friends share their experiences, believe them. Don't minimize or explain away their pain.
- Speak up. When you see antisemitism—even "casual" antisemitism—say something. Silence feels like endorsement.
- Learn. Understand what Zionism actually means. Learn about Jewish history. Read about the complexities of the Middle East from multiple perspectives.
- Show up. Come to a Shabbat dinner. Attend a Holocaust remembrance event. Visible solidarity matters.
- Don't expect perfection. Your Jewish friends don't speak for all Jews. They don't have to defend every Israeli policy. They're individuals, not ambassadors for an entire people.
Looking Forward
This moment will pass. The hatred is loud now, but it won't last forever. What will last is the choices you make—to stay connected to your community, to build a meaningful life, to be proud of who you are.
Years from now, you'll tell your children or your students about this time. You'll tell them about the challenges you faced, and more importantly, about how you faced them. You'll tell them about the friends who stood by you, the teachers who protected you, the moments of joy you found even in difficult times.
You'll tell them that you were part of a generation that refused to be silent, that fought for their right to exist as proud Jews, that ensured there would be another generation to tell the story.
Am Yisrael Chai
The people of Israel live. You are proof of that. Your existence is resistance. Your joy is defiance. Your future is guaranteed—not by the absence of enemies, but by the presence of an eternal covenant.
We see you. We stand with you. We believe in your future.
Resources for Support
You don't have to navigate this alone. These organizations are here to help:
🎓 Campus Support
Hillel International — Jewish campus life and community support at hundreds of colleges
StandWithUs — Education and advocacy against antisemitism on campuses
Jewish on Campus — Student-led movement supporting Jewish college students
⚖️ Legal & Safety Resources
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) — Report antisemitic incidents and get legal support
American Jewish Committee (AJC) — Advocacy and civil rights protection
Brandeis Center — Legal advocacy for Jewish students' civil rights
AMCHA Initiative — Documenting and combating campus antisemitism
📚 Education & History
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum — Holocaust education and remembrance
Aish.com — Jewish learning and spirituality resources
My Jewish Learning — Comprehensive Jewish education portal
🤝 Community & Connection
Chabad on Campus — Jewish community and support at 280+ universities
Jewish Federations of North America — Connect with local Jewish communities
Moishe House — Young adult Jewish community homes worldwide
🗣️ Advocacy & Action
Combat Antisemitism Movement — Resources for fighting hate
Canary Mission — Documenting antisemitism on campus
StopAntisemitism.org — Exposing and combating antisemitism
Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek — Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.