The last few days have been harrowing for the entire Jewish community, but I wanted to specifically update you on what's been happening on the campuses JGSI operates on throughout North America.

Following the carnage of Oct 7th and 8th, we immediately went into overdrive providing resources and funding for our students to hold vigils and rallies mourning the innocent lives lost, praying for those who have been taken captive, as well as showing general support for Israel and the Jewish community worldwide.

Our student leaders have responded with enthusiasm and have galvanized quickly to hold solidarity events, put out statements condemning the atrocities, and make their voices heard with administration.

But concerningly, in many instances these efforts have not been welcome by the campus community; not even by the universities themselves. Worse, some other student organizations have even made the dreadful decision to condemn Israel and stage counter protests against our Jewish students’ vigils. Some of these encounters have turned nasty. Our leaders questioned protesters directly asking if they are in support of beheading babies and raping teenagers? These questions are typically met with even louder chants from their peers condemning Israel. It’s simply unimaginable.

Many administrations have been less than helpful at best, if not directly complicit, in allowing this atmosphere to fester under the guise of “neutrality.” You may have read about the sickening anti-Israel screed signed by 31 student organizations at Harvard and the university’s initial refusal to denounce it. This is right now happening to varying degrees all over the country.

All this is making our students feel extremely vulnerable and in fear for their physical safety as Jews on campus at the hands of their own classmates, while their school looks the other way. They usually have no one to turn to but us.

We have mobilized quickly as an organization and have contacted administrations as well as partner organizations who have specific expertise combating antisemitism. But we also need your help:

If you or anyone you know are an active alumnus of a graduate school in regular contact with administration, a donor, or especially a board member, please let me know ASAP so we can rally appropriate support behind the scenes to ensure the protection of our students on campus.

We are experiencing a time in which the Jewish People needs us more than in any other point in our lifetime. Please rise to the occasion to help us support these urgent and critical efforts.