Jewish high school students combat hate with community backing, confront shrinking college prospects.

The surge of antisemitic hatred in the 14 months after Hamas' attack on Israel is affecting not only college students, but also children from kindergarten to high school.

The Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Education is responsible for resolving complaints of discrimination based on shared ancestry, including allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia, in schools that receive federal funds. Since October 7, 2023, the OCR has opened 159 shared ancestry cases involving K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for investigation. In the previous four years, the OCR opened a total of 28 shared ancestry cases.

During the 2023-2024 school year, the number of JSU clubs nationwide increased by 125 due to the growing demand among teenage students for "meaningful community and authentic connection."

Simon stated that the "unprecedented demand for Jewish engagement among students stems from their strong desire to connect, draw strength from one another, and examine their identity." She emphasized that the JSU has offered "a secure environment and steadfast assistance as students confront these obstacles and foster a thriving, inclusive community."

Three Jewish teens who wished to remain anonymous spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital about how antisemitism has affected their high school experiences and how it has changed their priorities in college.

Sarah, a current high school junior, was the president of her school's Jewish Student Union (JSU) when Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack occurred. As a result of the hatred faced by attendees, the student group shrank from 15 to just six members. When Sarah and other Jewish students went to the school's administration with their concerns, they were told that they were playing the victim.

Sarah and her friends found support from local politicians after taking their concerns to them. Today, Sarah's JSU has nearly 30 members and a strong group of teachers who help Jewish students celebrate their religion and manage challenging incidents. "We created a family from the difficult experiences we've faced," Sarah stated.

Sarah's concern is about news related to collegiate antisemitism. She believed that her excellent grades would help her get into an Ivy League school. Sarah expressed her disappointment, saying, "It’s almost indescribable. My whole life, I’ve been thinking ‘maybe Columbia, maybe Harvard.’ Now, I’m not even applying to Ivies."

"Sarah couldn't express in words how what she was seeing was real. She said, "You would never have imagined that the things your grandparents warned you about would be happening to you now.""

Yael Levin, mother of two, states that her sons have experienced no hate at all in their high school. She finds it unsettling to think that her sons will soon leave their "very protective environment" and enter a world that is "hostile towards Jews."

Finding campuses with thriving Chabad and Hillel organizations has become more important to Levin than his academic considerations.

Unfortunately, Levin claims that most of the in-state Virginia schools she once hoped her sons would attend for college are off the table. She stated that UVA has become a Hamas campground and Virginia Tech, George Mason University, and Virginia Commonwealth University are not an option due to anti-Israel events that have transpired on their campuses.

"I should not have to worry about my child's safety because he is Jewish," Levin stated.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's press secretary, Christian Martinez, assured Planet Chronicle Digital that Virginia's college campuses are safe for Jewish students. Martinez stated that the governor has consistently made it clear that antisemitism has no place in Virginia and that the safety of students on college campuses is a top priority.

"Gov. Youngkin has taken decisive action to protect Virginians from discrimination, hate crimes, and antisemitism since his first day in office. He swiftly addressed pro-Palestine protests that threatened student safety on campus and implemented statewide law enforcement training to better assess and respond to threats against Jewish communities."

Martinez stated that Youngkin's actions resulted in investigations into members of the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at George Mason University, showcasing his dedication to safeguarding not only Jewish students but also all Virginians.

Rachel and Erica are sophomores at a school where student activism is a popular mode of expression. They described similar environments of pro-Palestinian fervor that left them feeling ostracized, particularly when older students with no cultural ties to the Palestinians began to don keffiyehs and accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Rachel reported that the two-week study on the history of the conflict, promoted by teachers to address tensions in the school, did not provide any good context.

Rachel shared with Planet Chronicle Digital that she has lost friends and had to report an activist teacher due to intolerance from students regarding her connection to Israel. She stated that it is painful to see other students celebrating their heritage while she feels uncomfortable discussing Israel or identifying as Israeli.

Erica discovered the extent of the antisemitic hate affecting her Jewish classmates only after meeting with other Jewish students and a guidance counselor. In response, she established a club with the help of the JSU. Today, Erica reflects on how the weekly events, attended by both Jews and non-Jews, have created a sense of community and acceptance.

Erica and Rachel are both apprehensive about their future in college. Rachel expressed concern about how colleges would react to her plans to include activism for Israel in her application. Despite her goal of attending an Ivy League school, she fears she may not feel safe there due to her views.

Erica had dreams of attending college in Boston. However, when she spoke to her mom about it, her response was always, "We'll see." Erica found it surprising that when applying to college, one must not only consider the campus, classes, and majors they like but also think about antisemitism.