30 | APRIL 25 • 2024
J
N

L

ike many young Jewish
students currently
enrolled in colleges
nationwide, 21-year-old Jackson
native Nathan Rosenberg, who
is finishing his senior year at
the University of Michigan, has
experienced widespread campus
antisemitism that continues to
worsen with time.
Following the Hamas attack
on Israel on Oct. 7, Rosenberg
is one of thousands of students
across the country who have
borne witness to antisemitic
remarks, graffiti and calls to
“put an end” to Israel at a place

where students are supposed to
feel the safest — their place of
learning.
Rosenberg, who is studying
math and business at the uni-
versity, knew he had to step up
to what is quickly becoming a
growing and dangerous issue.
The University of Michigan, in
particular, has been a hotbed for
campus antisemitic incidents.
“I remember one instance
where antisemitic symbols were
drawn on the Jewish Resource
Center,
” Rosenberg recalls of
the organization he’s involved
with. “That was one of the first

really pronounced instances of
antisemitism [that I witnessed].
”
Another instance saw a uni-
versity student leader publicly
calling for the “death” of all
Zionists on social media. “It’s
just a very hurtful piece of
information,
” Rosenberg says.
“It’s terrifying. Someone’s calling
for the death of your friends,
the people around you.
”

ADVOCATING FOR
CHANGE
That’s why on March 19 and
20, Rosenberg chose to be
part of a 25-student delega-

tion to Washington, D.C., as
part of Olami Zero Tolerance
campaign, where he met with
government leaders to share his
experience as a Jewish student
living with campus antisemi-
tism.
Olami, which seeks a culture
shift on campuses to create zero
tolerance for antisemitism, is
currently active in more than
100 U.S. campuses nationwide.
Rosenberg and his peers
spoke to members of Congress,
including Michigan Sen. Gary
Peters and attended a press con-
ference held by South Carolina

Nathan Rosenberg was part of a recent 25-student
delegation to Washington.

U-M Student Fights Campus
Antisemitism in D.C.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

NEXT DOR

College students
advocated for change
in Washington, D.C.,
with Olami’s Zero
Tolerance campaign.