A group of Jewish students at Columbia University recently released an open letter expressing their discomfort with the ongoing tensions on campus. The letter, titled “In Our Name: A Message from Jewish Students at Columbia University,” was signed and shared by a coalition of Jewish students without attribution to a specific campus organization. The students highlighted that they have felt unease as others have spoken on their behalf, including well-meaning alumni, non-affiliates, politicians, and their Jewish peers who claim to represent ‘real Jewish values’ while delegitimizing their experiences of antisemitism.
The Jewish students at Columbia University expressed that they have been targeted for their belief in Israel’s right to exist as their ancestral and religious homeland. They have also faced discrimination from others who use the term ‘Zionist’ as a slur synonymous with racism, oppression, or genocide. The students emphasized that antisemitism has taken on various forms and shapes, and they feel that political disagreements over Israel’s existence have led to conflicts over Jewish identity. Despite not all of them being religiously observant, Zionism remains a significant aspect of their Jewish identities due to historical persecution and exile from various countries.
The open letter, signed by over 100 students at Columbia University, calls for a de-escalation of ideological conflicts on campus while rejecting demands for individuals to abandon their Zionist views. The students emphasized their strong connection to Israel, not only as their ancestral homeland but also as the only place where Jews can safely take ownership of their destiny in the modern world. They view their experiences at Columbia over the past six months as a reminder of the importance of Israel in Jewish life.
The letter was shared online by prominent students, including the President of Students Supporting Israel, Eden Yadegar, and the Senior Editor of Columbia Political Review, Elisha Baker. The students concluded their message by calling for peace on campus and encouraging constructive dialogue to replace the violent protests that have been occurring at colleges across the country. They emphasized the importance of engaging in complex conversations, repairing fractures, and developing meaningful relationships across political and religious divides while pursuing peace, truth, and empathy to create a more harmonious campus environment.
Overall, the Jewish students at Columbia University have come together to express their concerns about the tensions on campus and the misrepresentation of their views by others. They have defended their Zionist beliefs as a fundamental aspect of their Jewish identities and called for understanding, peace, and respectful dialogue to overcome the current climate of hate and division. The students hope that by sharing their message, they can contribute to repairing the fractures within their community and fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment at Columbia University.
