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By: Orly Ohebsion
At a time of surging anti-Semitism in the United States, what are the bonds that will tie our Jewish and pro-Israel communities together and empower us to overcome the unprecedented challenges we now face?
For me, it starts with the mother-daughter connection.
Indeed, the current landscape can feel daunting. According to an Anti-Defamation League/Hillel International survey, nearly three-quarters of Jewish college students in the U.S. have experienced or witnessed anti-Semitism during this school year. This issue is a particularly important and emotional one for me not only as a pro-Israel activist in my community but also as the mother of one such student, Yasmeen Ohebsion, a senior at Tulane University and a Jewish activist on that campus.
After many years of involvement with Israel Bonds in Los Angeles, including hosting events and currently serving as Chair of the Los Angeles Women’s Division, I was invited to attend “Women for Israel” — a national Women’s Division conference held from January 9-11. Israel Bonds brought together pro-Israel women from around the U.S. and Canada to hear from speakers on subjects ranging from how Israeli businesses are affected by the war, to strategies for fighting anti-Semitism, to the sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7.
I could not pass up this conference —for myself but even more importantly for Yasmeen. This was more than an opportunity for mother-daughter bonding, which in and of itself is something that I prioritize. It was crucial for me to connect my daughter, in her role as a young and emerging leader, with a network and community of supportive and likeminded women from across the continent who are passionate about advocating for Israel. On a routine basis, Israel Bonds hosts similar events for students and young professionals like Yasmeen, particularly through its New Leadership initiatives, bringing together supporters of Israel to share best practices and motivate each other to action.
Today’s Jewish leaders understand that after October 7, now is the most important time to give back to the Jewish homeland, and to motivate members of younger generations to become future leaders in the Jewish community. My daughter Yasmeen, however, does not need any extra motivation — she was already eager to get involved with Israel Bonds and to join me for the Women’s Division conference in New York City.
As she is confronting anti-Semitism on her campus — a challenge she started tackling well before October 7 — the Israel Bonds conference could not have come at a better time for Yasmeen. After experiencing anti-Semitism on campus in January 2023, Yasmeen co-founded The Movement to Address Anti-Semitism at Tulane, with the goal of incorporating anti-Semitism awareness into the trainings that are mandated by the school’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). She was also selected by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to be part of a Congressional roundtable panel on anti-Semitism.
Then October 7 happened, and anti-Semitism became a far more pressing issue on campus, with Jewish students experiencing a slew of verbal and violent assaults. This spurred Yasmeen and her fellow pro-Jewish student leaders to increase their activism. They called on the administration to convene a task force on addressing anti-Semitism and incorporating anti-Semitism into EDI trainings. While never formally accepting this proposal, Tulane’s president and provost wrote a campus-wide email that essentially adopted its components.
After the Israel Bonds Women’s Division conference, Yasmeen feels more determined than ever to combat anti-Semitism and bias, to make the case for ensuring the safety of Jewish students, and to hold Tulane’s administration accountable for promises. She is accustomed to making the case for Israel in a hostile environment and persuading students to embrace an alternative perspective on the Middle East, especially since October 7. Yet something even more powerful happened at the conference in New York, Yasmeen experienced the sensation of connecting with women who unconditionally support her efforts. Suddenly, she was not alone. It was healing for her to interact with women who were lifting her up rather than knocking her down.
Similarly, I returned home from the conference more empowered to advocate for Israel at its darkest hour — and in the face of surging anti-Semitism in Los Angeles and nationwide, to spread light. I am currently planning an Israel Bonds Women’s Division event with the Israeli fashion designer Maskit, with the goal of generating support for Israeli businesses that are affected by the war; as well as an event with Swell Ariel Or, an actress from the Netflix show “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem.” If you are a woman looking for a powerful vehicle to help you lean into your natural leadership qualities, and to strengthen your connection with Israel and with like-minded women who have a passion for the Jewish state, then the Israel Bonds Women’s Division is an ideal community for you.
From love for Israel, to the mother-daughter connection, to a sense of Jewish peoplehood, the bonds that tie us together will ultimately be the source of strength that enables us to prevail.
Orly Ohebsion is the Los Angeles Women’s Division Chair of Israel Bonds. To learn more about the Israel Bonds National Women’s Division, contact [email protected].
