‘It’s so scary’: Ga. college students talk about rise in antisemitism
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Students say they’ve seen an increase in antisemitism at Georgia’s college campuses.
A recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League shows that 73% of Jewish college students have experienced or seen antisemitic events on their college campuses this school year.
“It’s so scary,” said Zoe Glickman, a Georgia Tech student. “I mean, I get looks ... I don’t know if everyone is seeing that, how truly difficult it is to be on a college campus and be a college student.”
Ron Tsur, a University of Georgia student, said some are starting to shy away from wearing a Star of David necklace, which symbolizes Jewish identity. He said antisemitic statements or imagery drawn in chalk have been found on the ground, and that a Jewish fraternity had shaving cream graffitied on the side of their house at Georgia Tech.
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“I think that’s due to the political nature of the war and how people are starting to view the war, and I think it’s kind of really sad how it’s been playing out recently,” he said.
That’s where Hillel comes in. It’s a Jewish organization on campuses across the country that offers for college students.
Rabbi Larry Sernovitz with Hillels in Georgia said Jewish students have been targeted with intimidation, harassment and more since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on Oct. 7 — but Hillel is a safe space.
“We can just sit and have bagels and have pastries and coffee and talk about class and just be so casually Jewish, instead of it being this huge political statement that I feel it’s become,” said Sarina Amar, a Kennesaw State University student.
On Thursday, the group held an event at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs so that students from different Georgia schools could share their experiences. They’re hoping awareness can bring about change.
“Every student on college campuses should be able to go to and from their classes in peace and freedom and express their sense of identity, who they are, without being criticized, assaulted, and certainly without being held responsible for what’s happening 3,000 miles away,” Sernovitz said.
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