Michele Shrem
Anti-Semitism is a word heavy with history, pain, and injustice. From ancient persecution to the horrors of the Holocaust, and now to the current rise of hate incidents, Jewish communities around the world continue to grapple with different forms of anti-Semitism. While the word “anti-Semitism” carries a shared meaning, how it is felt and experienced is deeply personal.
Here community members weigh in on this sensitive topic. Their voices reflect anger, confusion, resilience, pride, and a yearning to be seen beyond the stereotypes.
David B.
“The strange thing about anti-Semitism is that it can feel invisible until suddenly it’s not. One day I’m at a dinner party and someone makes a joke about Jews and money like it is casual trivia. And I think, would you say that about any other group and expect me to laugh?” David describes himself as “visibly Jewish,” often wearing a kippah in public. He has been verbally harassed on the subway and once had to escort his children away from a protest where anti-Semitic slurs were being chanted. “It’s not just the violence,” he says. “It’s the constant drip of assumption and suspicion.”
Maya T.
“Being Jewish on campus feels like walking a tightrope. I’m proud of who I am, but I also know if I speak up about anti-Semitism, some people will say I’m just being dramatic.” Maya is active in her university’s Jewish student group. She notes an uptick in hostility around discussions about Israel, where “Jewish students are often held responsible for geopolitical decisions thousands of miles away.” For her, the line between criticism and anti-Semitism is sometimes crossed with alarming ease.
Eli C.
“There’s a spiritual wound that comes with being hated for simply existing. My role is to help my community heal, but also to prepare.” Eli has led community responses to local synagogue vandalism and helps coordinate security training with law enforcement. “It’s a strange contradiction – offering spiritual peace while knowing someone might walk through our doors with a gun.”
Isaac O.
“There’s this myth that anti-Semitism died after the Holocaust. I see it in classrooms when students doubt what I say, or ask if I’m exaggerating.” Isaac has dedicated his life to educating young people about the Holocaust, but he’s often disheartened by the skepticism he encounters. “When you have people who say it [the Holocaust] didn’t happen, or that it wasn’t that bad, that’s not just ignorance – it’s hatred repackaged as opinion.”
Sara S.
“I live in two worlds. In Israel, being Jewish is normal. In New York, it can feel like a liability, especially in certain professional settings.” Sara splits her time between Israel and the U.S. and she’s noticed how her colleagues in the tech industry avoid Jewish topics. “People will talk about diversity all day, but when I mention anti-Semitism, it’s like I’ve said a dirty word.”
Egal Z.
“I want my kids to be proud Jews, but I worry every time they wear their Star of David necklaces outside.” There has seen a troubling rise in anti-Semitic attacks, and Egal has taught his children how to recognize danger. “We’ve had serious talks about where to sit on the bus, how to respond to threats, when to hide their identity. It’s heartbreaking.”
Joey D.
“Anti-Semitism doesn’t always wear a swastika. Sometimes it wears a smile and asks why we’re always so ‘pushy’ or ‘successful.’” Joey has lost clients after revealing he’s Jewish. He’s also had vendors assume he’d be “good with money” or he’d be an “aggressive negotiator.” “These stereotypes are older than me, but they still shape how people see us. That’s exhausting.”
What Unites These Voices
What emerges from these deeply personal reflections is that anti-Semitism isn’t just an external threat – it shapes daily choices, instills fear, and, paradoxically, strengthens identity. From America to Europe, in schools, workplaces, and places of worship, Jews continue to face a unique form of prejudice that often goes unchallenged.
But what also emerges is strength. The act of speaking out, of refusing to disappear, is itself resistance. Whether through education, art, activism, or simple persistence, these individuals – and countless others like them – are shaping a world where hate does not get the final word. We are not defined by the hatred we face, but rather, we are defined by the lives we build in spite of it.
Anti-Semitism on College Campuses
College campuses have long been considered bastions of free thought, diversity, and inclusion. Yet for many Jewish students, that ideal is being eroded by a troubling resurgence of anti-Semitism across North American and European universities. From hostile rhetoric to physical threats, students report an environment that often feels more alienating than empowering. While the rise in ant-Semitism isnot exclusive to universities, the setting presents unique dangers-where ideas gain traction quickly, peer influence is powerful, and institutional responses are often delayed, inconsistent, or politically constrained.
There has been a climate of fear, and since 2020 Jewish students have reported a dramatic increase in anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Hillel International documented hundreds of cases in the 2023–2024 academic year alone, ranging from hateful graffiti and swastikas in dormitories to verbal harassment, social media intimidation, and even physical violence. In many cases, Jewish students say they are not just afraid,they also feel isolated. Instead of openly wearing a Star of David necklace, many are now tucking their necklaces in while walking through campus.
Subtle and Less Subtle Forms of Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism on campus does not always take the form of overt slurs or vandalism. More often, it’s subtle: Jewish students being left out of progressive student groups for their alleged “Zionist” views, professors singling out Jewish students during political discussions, or students being asked to denounce Israel in order to prove their commitment to justice. At its most extreme, anti-Semitism on campus has become violent. In several recent cases, Jewish students have reported being physically threatened or assaulted at protests, or targeted online with coordinated harassment campaigns.
Perhaps the most controversial and difficult line to draw on college campuses is the one between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. Criticism of Israel’s government and policies – like criticism of any country – is legitimate and protected under the right to free speech. However, when this criticism morphs into blanket hostility toward Jewish students, or denial of Israel’s right to exist, it often veers into blatant ant-Semitism. Some professors and student leaders have also fueled this divide, painting Jewish identity and Zionism as inherently colonial, thereby erasing the complex and diverse relationship many Jews have with Israel.
Universities’ Apathy and the Response
Many Jewish students say their universities have failed to seriously address anti-Semitism on campus. Despite the existence of diversity and inclusion offices, anti-Semitic incidents are often underreported, dismissed, or reframed as political debate. In some cases, students claim they are told to simply avoid certain events or “stay silent to deescalate.”
In response, some Jewish advocacy groups have begun lobbying for stronger protections. The U.S., the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened several investigations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which protects students from discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, which includes anti-Semitism.
The emotional burden of anti-Semitism on college students is severe. According to Hillel International, nearly one in three Jewish students say they’ve felt unsafe or unwelcome on campus. For many, this leads to self-censorship, isolation, or disengagement from Jewish life. Some Jewish students even feel forced to “pass” as non-Jews in academic or social settings –not affixing or actually removing mezuzahs from their dorm rooms, removing Jewish identifiers from social media, or refraining from speaking up in class.
Fighting Back
Despite the hostility, many Jewish students are choosing to fight back -with dignity and strength. They launch educational campaigns, and push for clear university policies on anti-Semitism. Social media is also a battleground where Jewish students share stories, organize support, and challenge misinformation.
Addressing anti-Semitism on campus requires more than statements and hashtags. It demands a clear definition of anti-Semitism that includes contemporary forms, such as anti-Zionist hostility when targeted at Jews. Mandatory education on anti-Semitism needs to be instituted, rapid response protocols for anti-Semitic incidents must be put into place with real accountability, and safe spaces need to be put into place for Jewish students to practice, explore, and celebrate their identity without fear. Most importantly, addressing anti-Semitism requires listening – to Jewish students, to their concerns, and to their complex identities.
Anti-Semitism on college campuses is not an isolated problem – it reflects wider societal tensions. But when anti-Semitism occurs in academic spaces, it undermines the very values these institutions claim to uphold – open inquiry, mutual respect, and intellectual freedom. To truly combat anti-Semitism, colleges must treat it not as a fringe concern but as a core challenge to their mission.