When I was a freshman in college, I took a debate class. The final debate was on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I was appointed to the Israel side, and my opponent was a well-known supporter of the Palestinian cause. We both prepared vigorously and showed up ready.

We sparred on a number of the finer points, and even as I disagreed with her positions, I respected her skills. She was obviously well informed, presented the arguments fairly, and cited respected sources and materials. I walked away eager to further research the points she brought up and to never remain satisfied with what I had already learned from my surroundings. I had a hunger to learn more, and would have been embarrassed had my responses demonstrated a lack of research.

Fast forward a quarter century or so. I have received a deluge of emails the last three weeks asking my perspective on how antisemitism on campus has come this far? What could we do to change the minds of young Americans (sometimes, even young Jews) around the country who either cannot condemn what happened in Israel on October 7, or have actually contributed to the rise of antisemitism on campus?

Some suggest first addressing the professors who have taken extremely radical positions on Israel. Others suggest that administrators are to blame by allowing anti-Israel and antisemitic activism to fester. There is some truth to both of these ideas, but they ignore a key fact: no one really owns the hearts and minds of this generation more than social media.

I have spent the last three weeks traveling the country and visiting our campuses. The arguments I've been confronted with are different than back when I was a freshman. For today’s youth, TikTok and Instagram are today’s Rabbi, Professor, New York Times, and Wikipedia – all rolled into one. They are the ultimate educators on all issues regarding Israel and the Jews and there’s little one can do to argue with their “facts.”

A recent Harvard CAPS Harris poll showed that 51% of young adults are “justifying” the massacres carried out by Hamas, and that their education on the conflict is mostly derived from TikTok videos. 

It's hard to believe that a 15 second video could educate someone about one of the most nuanced subjects of all time. And once you factor in the algorithm (and who is controlling it), the debate is over. Students never hear the other side of the argument; it's just an echo chamber. 

In contrast, a key Jewish value is reasoned, respectful debate. Our tradition is one of “argument for the sake of Heaven,” and our Biblical heroes even argue with God. We never take an argued point at face value, but rather we do our best to research and ultimately arrive at the truth. It's one of our most cherished traditions: using our head.

We may not be able to beat the all-powerful TikTok algorithm on our own. But we can – and we do – teach our own students to use their heads. JGO’s educational programs like our Sloan Fellowship are designed to instill the Jewish value of critical thinking and respectful debate among students of diverse viewpoints. We have been providing all our campuses with sources and clear explanations of the issues so they could do some digging and formulate their opinions, and be ready when the TikTok radicals come knocking. 

Because these days, they are knocking.