The surge in antisemitic incidents across the U.S. since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has significantly affected Jewish students, impacting their high school experiences and reshaping their college aspirations. This rise in hate, documented by a substantial increase in cases investigated by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, has created a climate of fear and anxiety for many young Jewish people.
The Jewish Student Union (JSU) has seen a dramatic increase in membership, with 4,000 students joining and 125 new clubs established during the 2023-2024 school year. JSU National Director Devora Simon attributes this growth to students seeking community and support amidst rising hostility. These clubs offer safe spaces for Jewish students to connect with their heritage and navigate the challenges they face.
Several Jewish high school students shared their personal experiences with antisemitism, highlighting the emotional toll and the difficult choices they are forced to make. Sarah, a high school junior, witnessed her school's JSU dwindle after the Hamas attack due to the hostility Jewish students encountered. She described the school administration's initial dismissiveness, which contrasted sharply with the support they later received from local politicians. Although her JSU has since rebounded, Sarah now has reservations about applying to Ivy League schools, a lifelong dream, due to reports of antisemitism on college campuses.
Anti-Israel protests erupted at UCLA on Monday, May 6, 2024, with police arresting multiple people who gathered in a campus parking garage. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Yael Levin, a mother of two, expressed concern about the hostile environment her sons may encounter in college. While her sons haven't experienced antisemitism in their supportive high school, she worries about their transition to college. Levin is now prioritizing schools with strong Jewish communities and support systems, like Chabad and Hillel, over academic considerations. She has ruled out several Virginia universities due to anti-Israel incidents on their campuses.
Student protesters march around their encampment on the Columbia University campus, April 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
Two sophomores, Rachel and Erica, described feeling isolated in their school's pro-Palestinian environment. They recounted instances of intolerance from peers and even an activist teacher. Rachel expressed sadness at not feeling comfortable expressing her Jewish identity and connection to Israel. Erica, after witnessing the impact of antisemitism on her classmates, helped establish a JSU club at her school, creating a more inclusive environment. Both Rachel and Erica are now approaching their college applications with apprehension, factoring campus climate and safety concerns into their decisions.
Anti-Israel protesters gather at the gates of Columbia University in New York City on April 30, 2024. (Reuters/David Dee Delgado)
Anti-Israel protesters at the University of Virginia hold a Palestinian flag on the campus, May 4, 2024, in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Eze Amos/Getty Images)
Anti-Israel protesters stand outside Susan E. Wagner High School in Staten Island. (Ary Weiss/Staten Island Shomrim)
