34 | NOVEMBER 21 • 2024 

I

n the 1970s, Wayne State 
University (WSU) had a Jewish 
population estimated in the thou-
sands. Fast forward to 2024, and that 
number has dwindled to just a few 
hundred. Considering WSU’s proxim-
ity to a large Jewish community, which 
had an estimated population of 71,000, 
according to the 2018 Detroit Jewish 
Population Study, one might wonder: 
Why is the Jewish population at WSU 
declining?
On Sunday, Aug. 25, WSU hosted 
its annual FestiFall. While most orga-

nizations enjoyed positive interactions 
with students — such as sign-ups and 
engaging conversations — the newly 
reinstalled Students for Israel (SFI) 
experienced both positive and negative 
encounters.
One of the most troubling expe-
riences was being videoed and pho-
tographed without consent, multiple 
times. In addition, we were confronted 
by an individual shouting, “Free, free 
Palestine!” and another who sarcasti-
cally exclaimed, “You’re with Israel?!? 
Seriously?!?” 

One student who approached our 
table was quickly pulled away by 
friends who whispered, “They are 
Jewish.
” The most vulgar comment 
directed at us was, “F*** you! How 
dare you?” Lastly, a student approached 
our table and aggressively asked, 
“Why?” Confused, we responded, 
“This is a group that teaches about and 
celebrates Israeli culture.
” The student 
clarified, “No, why war?” We tried to 
engage, saying, “That’s a great question; 
the more you talk to us, the more you’ll 
see we might agree.
” Unfortunately, the 

student was pulled away by a friend 
before the conversation could continue.
This is not the first time Jewish 
students on campus have encountered 
both microaggressions and macroag-
gressions. Some have reported being 
followed to and from classes, while 
others have had “Free Palestine” shout-
ed at them while visibly displaying 
their Jewish identity, such as wearing a 
kippah. One student described being 
socially isolated by classmates after 
being identified as a Zionist Jew.
We are sharing these experiences to 

for college students by college students
Nov. 21, 2024 / 20 Cheshvan 5875

By Jared Pazner, Carolyn Klausner and Kaitlyn Arnston } jewish@edu writers, pictured above at the WSU FestiFall

Why are WSU’s Jewish students being targeted?
Why are WSU’s Jewish students being targeted?

Microaggressions 
and Macroaggressions

Jared Pazner, Kaitlyn Arntson 
and Carolyn Klausner from 
Students for Israel at Wayne 
State University representing 
Students for Israel at FestiFall.

continued on page 36

for college students by college students
Nov. 21, 2024 

