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Much like the olive crushed to reveal its strongest essence, campus communities have strengthened and united in the face of adversity.
By: Rabbi Yossy Gordon
Antisemitic incidents on college campuses surged from under 300 total in the 2022-23 academic year to 1,854 last year, with the vast majority of incidents following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. In light of the violence and rhetoric surrounding these events, one might have expected that participation in Jewish campus life would have declined due to fear and anxiety about expressing Judaism publicly. However, we have observed quite the opposite outcome at Chabad on Campus International.
Jewish campus life is flourishing at even faster rates than usual. Participation in Shabbat meals at campus Chabad centers has increased by 30%; attendance at holiday programs is up by 55%; and informal drop-ins have skyrocketed by an incredible 400%. Nothing exemplified this more than our annual Pegisha weekend, which brings together college students from around the world to the neighborhood of Crown Heights in Brooklyn, N.Y., the headquarters of the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch movement. We initially planned for 1,200 students to attend this year’s event. Due to overwhelming interest, we expanded our plans and secured additional staff and a new venue to host 2,000 students from nine countries.
These students have become the frontline defenders in the global fight against antisemitism. They have grown stronger and prouder in response to each attack on their faith. Chabad on Campus rabbis and rebbetzins have also played a crucial role in this effort, supporting the students through thick and thin, and providing them with a home away from home.
The resilience of the Jewish people, especially among our youth, mirrors the story of Chanukah, “The Festival of Lights,” which falls at a time when many students leave campus for winter break to share the lessons and experiences they gained on campus with their communities.
Chanukah commemorates the military victory of the Jews—a small yet mighty army that triumphed over the large and powerful Syrian Greeks. However, the miracle associated with eating an abundance of fried food best connects to the growth in Jewish we are seeing on campus.
When the Jews regained access to the Holy Temple, a small flask of olive oil used to light the menorah miraculously lasted for eight days. This is why we enjoy doughnuts, latkes and much more during Chanukah, and many Jewish people choose to light a menorah with olive oil.
Olive oil is created by crushing olives, which completely destroys the olive. Oil has the unique characteristic of permeating everything it touches, making things oily but not mixing with other liquids. No matter what else is combined with it, oil always rises to the top. Despite its diverse characteristics, it burns brightly and spreads beautiful light, albeit only after it has been crushed.
Over the past year, college students and the families who lead Chabad Houses have faced significant challenges. Yet, much like the olive crushed to reveal its strongest essence, our campus communities have flourished, strengthened and united in the face of adversity.
A perfect example occurred last Chanukah at American University in Washington, D.C., when posters announcing a piano recital by a Jewish, pro-Israel student—Tomer Ben-Ezer—were defaced with antisemitic remarks. Fellow students even spat on him. Did he cancel the recital? No. Did Tomer hide? No. Instead, with the support of Rabbi Shua and Esti Hecht, the Chabad shluchim (“emissaries”) at American University, a larger concert was organized for Chanukah, inviting the entire school to come and celebrate.
We eagerly await a Chanukah miracle that sees the release of hostages, the healing of the wounded and the comforting of the bereaved. Until then, Chabad on Campus will support Jewish students in whatever they need, whether it’s advocating for their rights, providing them with a warm Shabbat meal or teaching them an uplifting word of Torah. We are encouraged and strengthened by the fact that no matter how hard the haters try to diminish our light, together, we shine brighter.
(JNS.org)
Rabbi Yossy Gordon is the CEO of Chabad on Campus International
