4 | MAY 16 • 2024 J N A few days ago, one of my closest friends called to talk about a scene that is unfolding in many families around the country. She noticed that her niece, a col- lege student, had posted an image on Instagram that included Palestinian flags and asked people to donate money to a new “bail fund” that had been set up to pay for students who might get arrested protest- ing against Israel on her campus. My friend loves her niece dearly — and this is a girl who grew up with a strong Jewish identity, is active in her commu- nity and has been to Israel more than once. But that post seemed to be taking sides with those who have spent decades violently tar- geting Israel and Jews worldwide, massacred our people on Oct. 7, and have been more than clear in stating that they intend to do it again and again. It has been staggering to see the hate and vitriol wash- ing over campuses across the country for the past six months. Although some label them as “Pro-Palestinian” protests, their character and messages are over- whelmingly pro-Hamas and/ or anti-Israel. Jewish students, whether actively/outwardly sup- porting Israel or not, have been demonized, harassed, threatened and attacked. A rabbi at Columbia recently told students they should go home, since he didn’t believe they would be safe on campus. USC canceled its main grad- uation ceremony over safety concerns. Police at Northeastern University donned riot gear to remove students and make arrests after demonstrations included chants of “Kill the Jews. ” Also at Columbia, one of the primary organizers of these student events was banned from campus for proclaiming “I feel very comfortable calling for (Zionists) to die. ” The latest iteration of these demonstrations are “encamp- ments” springing up on campus after campus — students (and, often, non-student activists who are joining or leading these events) setting up tent villages and taking over campus proper- ties. Most of these encampments violate school policies, and some are illegal. They have become launching pads for violent rhetoric, “exclu- sion zones” where Zionists (read: almost all Jews) are not allowed, and places that encourage direct antisemitism (keeping Jewish students from accessing their own campuses or suggesting that Jews should go back to Poland). To be clear, there are certainly people out there (including on college campuses) who really are concerned about the grow- ing death toll among innocent civilians or simply want to see the violence stop. But so much of what we continue to witness since Oct. 7 has been heavily tilted toward antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Administrators are struggling to respond — in part because of their “commitment to free speech. ” We all know that free speech has limits, and that harassment or incitement or violent threats are not protected. But many university presidents are talking more about the ideal of free speech than the legal con- cept. They recognize that their campuses are tinderboxes right now, ready to explode — and they seem to fear that if they enforce their own policies or take (appropriate) steps to counter the shocking harassment endured by Jewish students and others, they will ignite a greater firestorm. It is frustrating and frighten- ing to witness so many college leaders holding up the banner of free speech, when it is clear that if such vitriol and hate were publicly expressed toward other minorities or vulnerable popu- lations, it would be shut down immediately. Which brings us back to the question from my friend — What do we do when our own kids are drawn into this frenzy of Jew-hatred? When they believe that they are expressing compas- sion and working toward justice, when they are sure they are doing the right thing? Although it’s maddening, it shouldn’t be entirely surprising that some of our students are caught up in what has become a popular and enticing moment. The anti-Israel cause has spent years wrapping itself in the lan- guage and imagery of goodness. Young Jews want to be included rather than excluded, they want to help people who are suffering, they want to see themselves as part of the solution. As a result, we risk alienating them even further if we push too hard right now. Over time, our job is to help them under- stand the reality of Israel. No, it’s not a colonialist project. No, it isn’t apartheid. No, there is no genocide happening. Yes, what’s occurring in Gaza right now is tragic. Yes, Hamas is 100% to blame. Israel is not the aggressor in this war, and Israel is not the bad actor on the world stage. None of these concepts are sim- ple, and it is going to take time for us to win over their hearts and minds. As painful as it is right now, I hope we can find the deep well of patience that is going to be necessary for us to (1) continue battling the misinformation and hate that continues to spread, (2) expand our support for the many Jewish youth who are on the front lines, responding with passion and smarts to all this madness, and (3) find creative and respectful ways to approach those who seem lost right now, so that we ensure they have a path toward an active future in the Jewish community. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Rabbi Mark Miller is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth El. essay Supporting Our Young People Rabbi Mark Miller PURELY COMMENTARY WIKIPEDIA George Washington University in Washington, D.C., pro-Palestinian encampment, April 28, 2024.