I’ve known this November would be a monumental month for me since I learned about the electoral process in elementary school. Now a junior at Northwestern, I’m finally eligible to cast my vote. But I never expected that my tiny demographic — Jewish college students — would be in the national spotlight leading up to any presidential election, let alone my first.
By the numbers, it doesn’t make sense: We Jewish students constitute 0.03% of the American population, according to B’nai B’rith’s Hillel Foundation Research Bureau. But in terms of political wedge issues like antisemitism on college campuses, we play an outsized role.
It’s time our voices are heard. We’re tired of listening to politicians — especially those in the Republican Party — who use us for their own gain. Last year, politicians cherry-picked student voices to fit their personal agendas and spoke over so many of us, exploiting our pain to boost their polling numbers and embarrass their opponents. As college students return to dorms and lecture halls, we need real solutions, not empty speeches.
Let me be clear: it wasn’t easy being a Jewish college student last year. At Northwestern, many Jewish students were frightened by chants of “settlers go home” and posters depicting our Jewish university president with devil horns.
Meanwhile, the war in Gaza continues. The majority of Jewish students want the devastation to end and the hostages home. We are also concerned that divisions will deepen and antisemitism will worsen in the weeks ahead. But more congressional hearings on campus antisemitism are not the answer.
As an intern in a congressional office this past summer, I attended these hearings myself. Republican lawmakers asserted themselves as the protectors of Jewish students while chiding Democrats and university presidents for shirking their duties. Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik rose to fame for her tough questioning of Ivy League presidents. Yet, she has peddled the deeply antisemitic “Great Replacement Theory,” endorsed a House GOP candidate who said Hitler is “the kind of leader we need,” and stood united with Donald Trump after he dined with a Holocaust denier.
Obstructing action in Congress
The fiercest performers in congressional hearings have failed to back up their promises to eradicate antisemitism with legislation. House Republicans even slashed $10 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, the office tasked with prohibiting campus discrimination, such as anti-Jewish hatred.
When politicians restrict legitimate criticism of the Israeli government while refusing to fund offices that investigate antisemitism, their intentions are clear. They use antisemitism — a despicable hatred that has existed for 2,000 years and led to the deaths of many of my ancestors — to their advantage. Now, Jewish students could face longer wait times and fewer resources when they experience discrimination.
This hypocritical posturing stands in stark contrast to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has demonstrated dedication to combating antisemitism. She is running for president on a platform of unity, viewing hatred of any kind as a threat to the core of American democracy.
The National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, proposed by the Biden-Harris administration, is the most ambitious effort to counter antisemitism in American history. The plan calls for increasing awareness of antisemitism, increasing appreciation of Jewish-American heritage and bolstering the safety of Jewish communities. These measures aren’t partisan goals, but American ones. They’ll mitigate the threat of discrimination not only for Jewish students, but for all Jews in the United States.
In addition to giving federal agencies the resources needed to address anti-Jewish hatred, the strategy called on Congress to play its part. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to put the Countering Antisemitism Act, which would implement many of the measures in the National Strategy, on the House floor, despite vowing to “stamp out” antisemitism.
As the new school year and Election Day approaches, the turmoil on campuses could grow. I suspect that some Republican politicians will jump to renew efforts to position themselves as the defenders of students like me.
When my peers and I return to our campuses this fall, we deserve a different type of school year: one where we are safe and protected from antisemitism. One where free speech, robust debate and unity, all American values, are honored.
Talia Winiarsky is a junior at Northwestern University, studying American Studies. She is involved in her campus J Street U chapter, a pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian, pro-peace student movement.
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