University Students Share Their Experiences and Offer Ideas to Fight Anti-Semitism on Campus

B’nai B’rith International and Alums for Campus Fairness hosted Amplifying Jewish Student Voices on April 9 in Washington, D.C.

Sabrina Soffer, a senior at George Washington University and Lily Weinstein, a senior at the University of Maryland, shared their experiences facing anti-Semitism on their college campuses and offered strategies for students and administrators going forward.

Soffer shared how a professor of Holocaust memory inspired her to speak up in the face of anti-Semitism. “He told me, ‘If it’s not you, it’s nobody.’”

The “biggest shock to me is how clueless these students are,” Weinstein said of fellow students who would deface an Israeli flag or pro-Israel sign outside her dorm room.

The program was moderated by Melanie Borker, regional assistant director of the Tri-State area of Alums for Campus Fairness, with introductory remarks from B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin.

After the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks, Soffer said she was so confused to find an intifada rally on campus. “It didn’t make any sense to me for people to chant for violence.”

Borker noted that professors who try to “intellectualize and legitimize” anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment are particularly dangerous.

Weinstein suggested a concrete approach for university administrators to confront anti-Semitism is to mandate anti-Semitism training for incoming students. Similar training currently exists to combat racism and micro-aggressions. Anti-Semitism needs to be included. Soffer added that faculty who distort facts and teach lies need to be held accountable.

Should parents of high school students worry about where to send their children to college? Weinstein suggested not limiting the school choices, even if they have a poor record right now on supporting Jews. There is “such power in numbers,” she said. “Being active in the community, speaking out, forming relationships. There can’t be relationships with a Jew and non-Jew if there are no Jews.” And later she advised, “Build your bubble and really make connections with the Jewish community. But also go outside your bubble…go outside your community. We do need those allies.”

Soffer said events such as the Amplifying Jewish Student Voices program need to also showcase positive steps in the fight against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias. The Jewish community needs to emphasize and celebrate solutions, she urged.

Weinstein pointed out that anti-Semitic and anti-Israel groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine are always the loudest. “Why aren’t we the loudest?”

Concluding the event, Mariaschin commended the speakers: “The real heroes of this battle come from the student community.” He said, “You are leading this battle,” and suggested the students’ works ensures Jewish continuity.