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October 25, 2023
Dear TIC College Students,
At this very difficult time for Israel and the Jewish people, we wanted to check in and let you know that we are thinking of you. So many TIC students have spent significant time in Israel, have friends and family there, and/or are connected in other meaningful ways. At this heartbreaking moment, we are sending our love and hope that those you care about are safe.
We are also distressed by the way many college campuses are becoming “front lines” in a war of words about Israel. Our hearts have been warmed by the leadership roles so many of you have taken at vigils and rallies to pray for the victims of Hamas’s savage attacks and affirming the sovereign state of Israel’s right and responsibility to defend its citizens. At the same time, we are concerned about statements coming from some university administrations, and by rallies from the other side accusing the Jewish state of terrible atrocities and openly questioning its right to exist. The situation is complicated, and there are many political nuances that are too difficult to explain in a short email.
But it is important to underscore a few basic principles about which all people of conscience must agree:
- Israel’s enemy in this conflict is not Palestine or the Palestinians. This is a war against Hamas, a terrorist organization that indiscriminately attacks civilians and then hides in urban areas so it can use civilians as human shields. It has been nearly 20 years since Hamas has ruled Gaza, during which time it has increased its weapons stockpiles but done little to improve Palestinian civil society. This is a war against Hamas, not against Palestinians.
- Palestinian civilians do not deserve to suffer through this war. The humanitarian crisis is real. But Israel has no other options as it seeks to protect its population against murderous attacks like the one that took place on October 7. Israel is and must continue doing what it can to minimize civilian casualties and suffering; but this is a just war.
- For Jewish students, this war is not a news story or an essay topic. Israel is an essential part of Jewish identity. The denial of the right of the Jewish people to live in safety as a sovereign nation in our ancestral homeland amounts to a denial of a piece of Jewish identity. It is in that way that anti-Zionism becomes antisemitism.
- It is the first responsibility of any university administration to protect its students, and this includes Jewish students. When students and professors hold the world’s only Jewish state to a moral standard different from that of any other sovereign nation or blame all Jews for perceived policy missteps of the Israeli government, that is antisemitism and it must be called out.
We love it when you speak up on behalf of Israel, but our primary concern is that you be safe. Social media experts suggest it is unwise to engage directly with anti-Zionist posts because your engagement invites the algorithms to send more of that hate speech your way. It is also important that you report any antisemitic harassment you might face to your campus Hillel or the school administration. If you are not sure who to contact, please reach out to one of us. Good people disagree on all sorts of political issues, but when conversations turn to harassment, that is not okay.
We have created a resource page on the Temple Israel Center website. Click here to read our statements, sermons, and other communication to the congregation. You can also donate to one or more of the emergency campaigns that our community organizations are conducting. Many of your campus Hillels have created their own pages, which you should explore as well.
And we want to hear from you. If you participated in or helped to organize a campus vigil or other event, tell us about it. If you have questions or want guidance on these or other issues, let us know that as well. And if you’re looking for support and someplace to voice fear and concern, we’re here for that too. Please be in touch at any time!
With hopes for safety and for peace,
Rabbi Annie Tucker
Rabbi Adir Yolkut
Cantor Rabbi Shoshi Levin Goldberg
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