College is a time of incredible growth, new friendships, and discovering who you are. For Jewish students, it’s also a unique period of navigating identity, community, and often, unexpected challenges.
These challenges go beyond classes or social events. Often, they involve what it means to be visibly Jewish, to support Israel, or simply to find a welcoming and inclusive space. So, what do Jewish students wish their classmates, professors, and university leaders truly understood?
- Jewish Identity is Not a Monolith — and Neither is the Community That Supports it.
There’s no single way to be Jewish. Jewish students come from diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, and connect to their identity in different ways – including, for a majority, some sort of connection to Israel. Even where that connection comes from, what it means to each student, and how they express it can differ greatly.
The same diversity exists among their allies. People from many backgrounds and faiths stand with Jewish students, support Israel, and may even identify as Zionists themselves, either based on their faith, shared values, family histories, their own personal experiences, or other intersections. Assumptions or misrepresentations flatten that reality. Listening and learning make space for it.
- Our Connection to Israel is Often Personal, Not Just Political.
For many students, supporting Israel isn’t a political stance; it’s a deep, identity-based personal connection. It might be loved ones living there, a transformative birthright trip, a love for its innovation, their family’s personal history, or a spiritual bond. When criticism of Israel crosses the line into antisemitism, or when our connection to Israel is dismissed as purely “political,” it feels like a personal attack on who we are. We wish people understood that our support for Israel is an essential part of our identity.
- We Often Feel Like We Have to Choose Between Our Identities.
Imagine feeling like you can’t be both proudly Jewish and a progressive activist, or both a supporter of Israel and an advocate for social justice. Too often, Jewish and pro-Israel students are put in this impossible position on campus. We care about human rights, equality, and making the world a better place, just like our peers. Yet, sometimes, our Jewish identity or our support for Israel is seen as a barrier to participating in broader campus movements. This forces us to hide parts of ourselves or face alienation. We wish others understood that our values are not mutually exclusive; our Jewish and pro-Israel identities inspire us to fight for justice, for everyone.
- Antisemitism Isn’t Just a Historical Issue – It’s a Present-Day Reality.
Many people think antisemitism is a relic of the past, something that happened “over there” or “back then.” The reality is, Jewish students today regularly encounter it – from microaggressions to outright hostility, online harassment, social ostracization, and even physical threats. It can manifest as swastikas drawn on campus, jokes about Jewish stereotypes, or the targeting of pro-Israel student events or organizations. What often feels worse is the silence from others when these incidents occur. We wish our peers and university leaders would recognize antisemitism and anti-Zionism for what it is: a serious form of hate that needs to be confronted with the same urgency as any other prejudice.
- Support and Understanding Make a World of Difference.
Despite the challenges, Jewish and pro-Israel students are incredibly resilient, vibrant, and committed to building positive communities. Organizations like StandWithUs have been instrumental in providing us with education, resources, and a supportive network to navigate these complexities while still standing up and standing tall in proud and visible ways. From teaching us how to confidently articulate our views to connecting us with fellow student leaders, StandWithUs empowers us to be effective leaders and proud Zionists on campus.
What we ultimately wish for is simple: empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. A little understanding goes a long way in creating a campus environment where all students, including Jewish and pro-Israel students, feel safe, respected, and free to be their authentic selves.
To learn more about StandWithUs campus programs and how you can support Jewish students, visit campus
