Dear Friends and Readers,
Too many college students are afraid to speak up and stand up. They fear their grades will be negatively affected and their degrees will be affected.
Not me.
I stood up for Israel on campus in 2017.
In 2017, I completed my degree in Social Work from a university close to home. In one of my classes, the instructor asked us to take turns teaching a class on different topics. She laid out the topics on the desks on long strips of paper, and it thrilled me to see one said Zionism. I grabbed it! She then grouped Zionism with imperialism and capitalism. We were put in a group of four students and I was the only Jew and certainly the only non-traditional student (just another way of saying late in life student).
Excited to gather my information, I began sharing information with the other students from Dennis Prager University (an online resource with educational videos). However, when the instructor walked over to our group she handed us teaching materials. My enthusiasm quickly waned. As I scanned the documents, my stomach churned with anxiety. I quickly realized that the information I was reading about Zionism was inaccurate. The portrayal felt one-sided, filled with animosity, and painted Israel as overwhelmingly negative. Waves of rage rolled through my belly, causing my body to tense and my throat to tighten.
Immediately I knew that this was anti-Israel and BDS information, driven by hate. Included in the “teaching materials” was a video she wanted me present that depicted an obvious bias and hatred. Together, all of this felt like propaganda and I adamantly refused to share this information.
“I won’t use this material to teach with. I am Jewish.”
“But this is accurate information,” she declared
My anger surged, but I recognized that turning this into a personal conflict wouldn't serve my interests. I sent the resources to the Jewish community and the CEO of JNF (Jewish National Fund) to gauge their reactions. All unanimously declared that the information was anti-Israel and supportive of the BDS movement. I followed their advice and brought in Stand with Us, an advocacy group for Israel, to provide help.
The head of the Social Work department, myself, and Itay, a member of Stand with Us sat down to discuss important matters. He informed the department head about the BDS movement, emphasizing its destructive impact on disseminating information. He answered all of her questions, his voice filled with unwavering confidence. As I observed their interaction, his confidence left me longing to possess the same self-assurance. Together, we decided he would present the Zionist perspective, offering a unique viewpoint on the matter. However, moments after he left, that decision was abruptly reversed. I was informed that students were solely responsible for organizing and conducting the lecture.
Due to the diverse religious backgrounds of the class, which included a practicing Jew, a practicing Muslim, and a person associated with the KKK (Ku Klux Klan), the administrators arrived and sat in on the presentation out of concern for the potential conflict. As I stood in front of the class of forty-nine students, the words of my grandma echoed in my mind, urging me to stand tall, walk with pride, and hold my head high.
“Stand tall, walk with pride and hold your head high”
-Grandma Ethel
As I wrapped my Star of David scarf around my neck, I could almost feel the presence of generations past, whispering words of courage, strength, and pride.
I began speaking…
“It’s okay if you want to Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel. I simply ask that you understand the gravity of that statement. When you do something, commit to it completely rather than doing it halfway.
I informed the students about Zionism, drawing from resources like Stand with Us and Prager University.
For many, Zionism is associated with malevolence and ill intentions. In fact, Zion is another word for both the land of Israel and Jerusalem. Zionism means the right to exist in a Jewish homeland. The right to a homeland is exclusively withheld from Jewish people. The father of modern Zionism, Theodor Herzl, conceived the idea of a Jewish State after witnessing a divisive antisemitic event, The Dreyfus Affair, where Captain Dreyfus's (a Jewish man) was wrongfully convicted for treason. This served as inspiration. With unwavering hope and faith, Hertzl believed that his dream would manifest itself one day. Thanks to his writings and tireless efforts, his dream finally came true fifty-four years later. With the establishment of the State of Israel, the sound of national anthem echoed throughout the land.
Theodor Herzl had hope. The Jewish people always have hope. Hope became the anthem (Hatikvah) of this new state. Below is Barbara Streisand singing this heartfelt anthem. The English words of this anthem are:
As long as in the heart, within,
The Jewish soul yearns,
And towards the ends of the east,
[The Jewish] eye gazes toward Zion,
Our hope is not yet lost,
The hope of two thousand years,
To be a free nation in our own land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.
Today, Israel stands as the sole democracy in the Middle East. What is the deeper meaning of that statement? I looked at the student group, a mix of late teens to early twenties, and passionately explained the true essence of a free society.
Freedom of Speech
Freedom to Assemble
Freedom of expression and opinion
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of Religion
Israel, famously called The Start Up Nation, channels its resources into technology, investing time, money, and talented individuals to make a positive impact on the world. Israel has contributed many items that you use today. Let's discuss a handful.
Don’t use a computer, because they created the microchip in Israel.
Don’t use generic medicines made by TEVA, which is the largest generic manufacturer produced in Israel
Don’t use your mobile phone, the technology was developed in Israel
Don’t use your smart phone, the technology was developed by a French Jew, Phillipe Kahn
Don’t use a USB Flash drive…yep, this was created in Israel.
VoIP technology was created in Israel, so stop leaving voice messages on WhatsApp!
Firewalls (for your computer) were developed in the land of Milk and Honey.
Waze, the GPS that so many people to and from their destinations AND helps avoid speeding tickets was created in Israel.
Wix, the website builder that millions of people and business use is an Israeli creation.
So are cherry tomatoes, uzi’s, and drip irrigation systems.
As far as games go: Mastermind and Rummikub were both created in Israel.
The fact is, BDS is not just about Israel, it is the new antisemitism targeted at all Jews. So when you decide to Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel…please include the technologies made by Jews in other countries.
Don’t use GOOGLE, developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, both Jewish
Don’t use META, developed by Mark Zuckerberg, Jewish
Stop making airline reservations, the technology comes from Evelyn Berezin, Jewish
Put down your video games, thank Ralph Baer a Jew who fled Germany
We should not ignore the significant medical progress made by Pfizer and Moderna, who have played a vital role in saving lives with their COVID vaccines. Dr. Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, carries a powerful personal history as the son of Holocaust survivors. Moderna's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tal Zaks, is from Israel. These two men played a crucial role in shaping our recent world, and without their contributions, it would be unrecognizable.
If you're suffering from a headache, it's recommended to avoid taking aspirin, a medication that was invented by Arthur Eichengruen, a Jewish scientist, although the Nazis unjustly took credit for it.
If you wish to BOYCOTT, DIVEST and SANCTION ISRAEL, what you just read is brief compilation of what you will need to relinquish. Maybe think before you act.
Founded in 2005 on college campuses, the BDS Movement aims to spread misinformation, hate, and antisemitism through the academic system.
Currently, an academic boycott is happening slowly.
“It is the agenda of BDS to boycott events and activities convened or co-sponsored by Israel, research and development activities that involve institutional cooperation agreements with Israeli universities, projects that receive funding from Israel or its lobby groups, addresses and talks by officials from Israeli academic institutions at international venues, study-abroad programs in Israel for international students, and publishing in Israeli academic journals or serving on such journals’ review boards”-Wikipedia
The day I spent teaching my fellow students about Zionism is etched in my memory. As I stood up and confidently spoke about Israel, my instructor's gaze swept across the room, searching for those who had already been to the country.
“Has anyone been to Israel who would like to speak?”
"I have," declared the administrator with a hint of satisfaction.
I stomped my foot, pointed my finger and said, “This is a student run event.”
The heel on my boot stomping on the floor reverberated throughout the classroom. Heads snapped back in wonder and gasps could be heard. The air was heavy with tension. Something was happening…
In that moment, my fearlessness overpowered any concern about my grade or degree. My values of justice, integrity, and fairness were of the utmost importance to me.
Eventually, the Dean of the University assumed responsibility for resolving this escalated issue. The Head of Social Work apologized to me. The Dean said, “I am Jewish and there is no place for BDS in my school.” He turned to look at me and asked me what I wanted. My requests were uncomplicated, I only had two.
“I want the instructor fired and I want the course to go for re-evaluation.”
Both were done.
Since this event, my life has undergone a profound transformation. I have transformed into a public speaker, a life coach, and a writer. There is no limit to the ways I express my passion and voice with confidence and pride. And now I help others do the same.
It is essential for every Jewish young person to gain the skills to express themselves safely and confidently. If you need any help, please contact me, and I'll be delighted to help you navigate through the resources.
List of Israeli discoveries and inventions (just some of them)
Thank you for this. I learned so much!
So much information that I wasn't aware of so I'm very thankful that you have shared it with so many people. I hope to stay better informed! Thanks again!