Wayne Pines
September brings not just the start of another year on the Jewish calendar but also the start of a new year for students.
As our children and grandchildren return to school, whether grade school, high school or college, they will face an unprecedented time for the Jews in America. When they started school two years ago, in September 2023, few knew or cared where Gaza was. Confronting antisemitism was far from the top of school agendas.
But then came the tragic events of Oct. 7, 2023, and since then there has been heightened hostility and harassment in schools and on campuses.
When students entered school last fall, in September 2024, colleges and even some high schools were in transition, implementing new policies on how to handle antisemitism, encampments and anti-Israel protests.
But much has changed in the past year, especially for college students. We have witnessed anti-Israel encampments and anti-Isael protests. We have seen Jews murdered. We have seen school administrators, not just in colleges but in grade and high schools, incapable of handling the situation. And we have seen an administration in Washington that has used antisemitism on campuses as the rationale for cutting grants and medical research, with reverberations still occurring at major universities.
Now, as Jewish students enter or return to college in September 2025, they face a new norm.
They will return to schools that have been forced to adopt anti-antisemitism measures in order to regain their federal grants and research support. There is resentment against Jews because of how antisemitism has been weaponized.
Students will face a growing surge in reported antisemitic incidents not only on campuses but across the country.
They will face significantly diminished support for Israel. Anti-Israeli sentiments, for the first time in the relatively brief history of the current state, are being vociferously voiced within the American Jewish community itself. The narrative has changed from taking pride in Israel for its democracy, its spirit and its achievements, especially in science, medicine and technology, to the need to defend it against accusations that it itself is a terrorist state. The anti-Israel sentiment affects how Jewish students are viewed.
Jewish students will face increased security at any event associated with Judaism, and an environment where the personal safety of Jews is at risk. In some places wearing a Jewish star or kippah can incite hostility.
This “new norm” in schools and on campuses will be with American Jews and students for some time to come, long after the situation in Gaza is resolved.
Every Jewish student needs to be aware of what they might face as they start a new school year.
It is the obligation of parents and teachers to advise and educate Jewish students how to manage this environment, whether in grade school, high school or college.
There are some universal cautions for self-protection that need to be reinforced:
• Be alert as to your surroundings.
• Avoid areas known for being dangerous.
• Travel and congregate in groups when possible.
• If you see something that might be harmful, speak up to the authorities.
But there are some cautions that Jewish students uniquely should pay special attention to:
• Be alert for antisemitic remarks and, when safe, do not tolerate them, whether from teachers or fellow students.
• If you become aware of an antisemitic incident, report it to someone in a position to take action. College administrators these days need to be sensitive to complaints of antisemitism, but students may be reluctant to approach them. Many if not most campuses have a Hillel with a rabbi. They might be a good source for guidance if an antisemitic episode occurs.
Be conscious of wearing overtly Jewish symbols such as a Star of David. When I see someone wearing a Jewish star, I usually thank them. But in some environments, overtly self-identifying as Jewish might not be such a good idea. It is good to publicly identify and show pride in being Jewish but there are times and locations where it may be better not to.
The Anti-Defamation League has issued a “Campus Safety Playbook” that urges colleges and universities, among other things, to “establish clear policies on nondiscrimination and proper demonstration procedures, and enforce them consistently,” to “actively support Jewish students, staff and faculty,” and to “hold faculty accountable to uphold professional and academic standards.” Proactively expressing support for these objectives at your alma mater or at the school(s) attended by children and grandchildren would be a good way to express concern and awareness.
Jews historically have faced challenges, many more threatening than today, and always have endured. College campuses, and to a lesser extent grade and high schools, unfortunately have become one of the focal points for today’s challenges. We need to see that our students recognize these challenges and are equipped to deal with them.
Wayne Pines is a health care consultant in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
