The Jewish Student Union (JSU) recently hosted its annual Presidents Conference, bringing together Jewish high school student leaders from across the United States. The three-day event focused on preparing these students to combat antisemitism on their current high school campuses and, more significantly, on future college campuses.

Rabbi Micah Greenland, director of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) International, noted an increasing sense of isolation and threat among Jewish students. He emphasized the importance of JSU spaces as vital community hubs for Jewish students and their allies. Participants were trained to "more effectively reach out to their peers" upon returning home.

Peer-to-Peer Empowerment

The JSU model emphasizes peer-to-peer leadership, with student-run clubs forming the core of the organization. Rabbi Derek Gormin, a managing director at JSU, highlighted the "unbelievable power" generated when students collaborate. This approach was evident at the conference, where high school student Hillel Kornwasser of New Jersey led a presentation.

Kornwasser expressed a sense of urgency, stating, "There's no waiting till tomorrow for this fight." He shared concerns about the current societal climate in the Western world, articulating a desire for a future where his children would not have to fear for their safety due to their Jewish identity.

Combating Rhetoric and Misinformation

Speakers at the conference included activists and educators who shared their experiences and strategies. Tessa Veksler, a Jewish advocate and former student body president at the University of California, Santa Barbara, recounted facing harassment and a recall campaign after speaking out in support of Israel. She acknowledged the fear Jewish students may feel on college campuses, citing instances of harassment and hateful rhetoric.

Shai Davidai, author of "American Intellectual Antisemitism: The Anti-Jewish Movement Tearing Through Our Universities," advised students to employ the "three E's": engage with empathy and evidence. He stressed the importance of appealing to emotions while grounding arguments in facts, noting that loud opinions do not necessarily equate to correct ones. Davidai also pointed out that vocal groups on campuses often represent minority viewpoints.

Charlotte Korchak, founder and senior educator at the Jerusalem Education Institute, underscored the need for students to understand their history and the context of the land of Israel to effectively counter false narratives. She advocated for historical accuracy and deep knowledge over soundbites.

Embracing Jewish Identity

Beyond addressing antisemitism, the conference also focused on fostering pride in Jewish identity. Actor and content creator Noa Bess Solomon emphasized the role of humor and joy in Jewish resilience. She encouraged students to embrace their Judaism not solely through a political lens, but through the richness of tradition, food, and community.

"There's nothing political about being Jewish," Solomon said. "It's your grandma's — it's your bubbie's matzo ball soup, it's camp, it's food, it's tradition, and that's exactly what I want to keep reminding these kids."

The overarching goal of the JSU conference was to equip Jewish students with the tools to confront antisemitism while ensuring that fear does not overshadow their connection to their heritage. Organizers expressed hope that the students would return to their schools with the confidence to be openly and proudly Jewish.