OPINION: More joy, less oy: Jewish student life in the face of adversity

There’s no hiding it, it hasn’t been easy since October 7th. We all know the unprecedented “explosion” of antisemitism, the denial of Hamas’ atrocities, and the support for extremism that seems to be pervasive through society.

It’s also unsurprising that these issues have been magnified and amplified on campus. From October 7th until New Year’s Eve, 148 university-related antisemitic incidents were reported to the CST – roughly one for every 60 Jewish students, and likely the tip of the iceberg when we consider under-reporting. This has included eggs being pelted at visibly Jewish students, death threats being sent to JSocs, and a professor even encouraging her followers to blow up JW3.

It’s therefore understandable that many parents and prospective students are fearful of university spaces right now. If you look at social media, then one might be advised to pack a bullet-proof vest if one plans on venturing even close to a campus. Jewish student life, it might be fair to assume, is characterised by unshackled and omnipresent hatred.

But – and hear me out here – I think Jewish life on campus may be better than most people realise.

With Deborah Lipstadt in the UK this week, I decided to read her “Antisemitism: Here and Now“. Written in 2018, events have unfortunately rendered it in parts somewhat dated, but history seems to repeat itself. The book concludes with an account of a Hillel House defaced with graffiti – an eerie parallel events in Leeds a fortnight ago.

Since October 7th, a new generation of Jewish leaders have cut their teeth advocating for change and support from their universities.

At the time, Lipstadt was phoned by parents of students, who were deeply concerned about an antisemitic environment at the university; but simultaneously, the university sent an email to tens of thousands of people unequivocally condemning the graffiti, as did the Students’ Union. The next day, students across campus wore blue in support of the Jewish student community, showing solidarity in the face of antisemitism.

While the graffiti was horrific, the actions of one person should not overshadow the actions of the entire campus community. To paint this university as institutionally or structurally antisemitic, or an unsafe place for Jewish students, off the back of the graffiti alone, would be misguided.

Lipstadt argues, I think correctly, that we should focus less on the ‘oy’ and more of the ‘joy’ of Jewish life on campus. And this applies in the UK too. Since October 7th, Jewish student life has – in a perverse manner – thrived more than ever before.

In the wake of Hamas’ attack, Jewish students came together to mourn and stand in solidarity with Israel, organising vigils on campuses across the UK. The rise in antisemitism spurred record attendance at peer-led, Friday night dinners up and down the country.

Jewish students squeezed into Hillel Houses, joining their student communities to celebrate their Judaism in the face of adversity.

On the eve of the graffiti in Leeds, Jewish students organised a nationwide challah bake to campaign for the safe return of the 136 hostages still in Gaza, with hundreds of students joining the campaign across the country.

UJS’ national events have also flourished in the face of adversity. Over four hundred students, the most ever, came to UJS’ cross-communal convention in December, taking part in peer-led learning and celebration of Shabbat.

On the final day of convention, we hosted our largest ever UJS conference, with over 100 motions submitted, heated debates, and the results from the UJS presidential election which had UJS’ largest ever voter turnout.

Jewish students showed that they’re tougher than anything that antisemites can throw at them.

And in the face of hatred, Jewish student leaders were galvanised. One of the many privileges of my role at UJS is mentoring and supporting Jewish student leaders on the ground on individual campuses.

Since October 7th, a new generation of Jewish leaders have cut their teeth advocating for change and support from their universities. Forming the inaugural cohort of UJS’ flagship leadership fellowship, these student leaders will form the future of the Jewish community, whose continuity is safeguarded by these experiences on campus.

And so, while it would be easy to proclaim that campus is unsafe or dangerous for Jewish students right now, this would be wrong. Jewish student life continues to be vibrant and rich, even when those who hate us try to stop it from being so. Instead of pessimistically focusing on the antisemitic incidents, we must instead look to campus as a place where young Jews can thrive and flourish, making the most of all that they can take from student life.

Despite everything, the kids are still alright.

• Guy Dabby-Joory is the Head of Campaigns at UJS