Defending Jewish Students: Chabad’s Fight on Campus
As antisemitism flares on American campuses, Chabad on Campus International steps up, empowering Jewish students to stand proud despite rising hostility. A V24 exclusive with Thom Waye.
Adam Starzynski
Apr 23, 2024 - 3:20 PM
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V24 presents an in-depth series covering the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This comprehensive series features on-the-ground interviews, bringing firsthand insights from a diverse range of voices, including politicians, professors, journalists, experts and influencers. Our guest today: Thom Waye.
Thom Waye About Chabad on Campus
Since October 7, Jewish students across U.S. universities have faced a disturbing rise in hostility. Once seen as safe spaces for learning and growth, campuses have become places of intimidation, forcing many students to conceal their identities.
In an exclusive interview with V24, Thom Waye, Chief Strategy Officer of Chabad on Campus International, discusses how Chabad is stepping in as a vital ally. With a strong background in business, philanthropy, and a deep commitment to the Jewish community and Israel, Waye highlights Chabad’s mission to empower Jewish students, ensuring they can stand proud despite the growing pressure.
Driven by Jewish values and a commitment to inclusivity, Chabad on Campus is actively supporting students through these challenging times.
A Growing Threat to Jewish Identity
Recent studies reveal that even before the current war, over half of Jewish students on U.S. campuses felt the need to hide their faith. Since October 7, the situation has dramatically worsened. Reports of anti-Jewish rhetoric, targeted harassment, and even physical intimidation have become widespread, prompting urgent calls for action from parents, alumni, community leaders, and civil rights organizations.
Once focused on academics, social life, and future plans, Jewish students now face an alarming new reality: the need to defend their very identity. Amid protest slogans, false accusations, and, at times, explicit calls for violence, they struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy. With many university administrations slow to act or enforce their codes of conduct, Jewish students and their families often feel isolated and uncertain about their safety and future.
Chabad’s Mission
Chabad on Campus International operates across hundreds of colleges, providing a crucial support network for Jewish students. From Shabbat dinners to mentorship, it offers a sense of community and purpose at over 350 full-time campus locations, serving nearly 900 colleges. With a dedicated network of rabbis and rebbetzins, Chabad has mobilized to guide students through these difficult times.
Rooted in the teachings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Chabad’s approach emphasizes openness, acceptance, and respect. It does not impose a particular religious standard but encourages students to explore Jewish life at their own pace. This inclusive stance has been especially vital in an age when students face both subtle and overt antisemitism.
Chabad on Campus believes universities must uphold their own codes of conduct. While college administrations often cite academic freedom to tolerate extreme viewpoints, this does not absolve them of responsibility for acts of intolerance that cross into harassment or violence. Chabad urges parents, students, and donors to hold administrations accountable, demanding that violations of campus policies result in appropriate disciplinary actions.
In response to the escalating crisis, Chabad has formed the Antisemitism Campus Task Force. This initiative connects victims of intimidation with legal resources, counseling, and guidance, helping students navigate the often slow-moving bureaucratic systems that fail to protect them.
Navigating a Complex Future
Some parents may consider sending their children to "safer" campuses, but Chabad argues that Jewish students should not be forced into educational exile. Every campus can be made safe if all stakeholders demand universities enforce policies that ensure equitable treatment. The central message is clear: Jews should not have to sacrifice their academic ambitions or their cultural and religious identities.
Waye expresses optimism that Jewish unity and decisive action can make a difference. During these challenging times, Chabad's rabbis and educators provide a comforting presence, reminding students that they are not alone. Through community and faith, students are empowered with the tools to stand firm against hatred.
The challenges are significant, but Chabad on Campus insists that no student should have to choose between a top-tier education and expressing their Jewish heritage. With ongoing efforts to enforce campus codes, strengthen Jewish communities, and build alliances with like-minded organizations, antisemitism can be confronted, ensuring that academic freedom and respect prevail.
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Adam Starzynski
Journalist | Foreign Policy Analyst