Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year which marks the beginning of the High Holidays, was celebrated this week. Jewish communities around the world celebrate by sharing symbolic foods and wishes for a good and sweet upcoming year. But this Rosh Hashanah, the well wishes expressed were notably different, with more of the wishes focusing on resilience, strength, and peace, a reflection of the challenges and rising prejudice current Jewish communities are experiencing.

 

The Command Center tracked this notable shift on social media. The number of messages wishing for a quiet, safe, and peaceful year more than doubled this year so far compared to Rosh Hashanah last year, which took place between September 15 and 17. The sentiment of the wishes for the new year has also shifted. Last year, messages wishing people a sweet or joyful year (78%) outweighed those about having a safe or peaceful year (22%). But this year those types of messages are about equal in number, as people focus on safety in a dangerous time.

 

A US District Judge ruled that the University of Maryland must allow its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) to host a vigil on October 7 to mourn individuals killed in Gaza during the war with Israel. The university initially approved the event but later announced that it would only host university-sponsored events that day, citing safety concerns. In response, SJP filed a lawsuit, alleging that the cancellation violated their First Amendment rights. Following the ruling, the university stated that it would comply with the court’s decision. SJP chapters at universities across the United States are calling for a “Week of Rage” from October 7 to October 11.

 

The new school year just began, but already this last month 5 Jewish students were physically assaulted at a number of universities. Law enforcement officials are warning against increased antisemitic violence as the anniversary of October 7th approaches. This week a number of groups publicly protested the assassination of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, releasing statements praising Nasrallah and mourning him. Additionally, the University of Michigan SJP chapter posted on social media that “death to Israel is not just a threat, it is a moral imperative and the only acceptable solution. May the entire colony burn to the ground.” The post was fiercely condemned on social media.

 

In anticipation of these demonstrations, several institutions, including the University of Maryland and UCLA, have introduced new rules and guidelines for campus protests. The City University of New York and California College have heightened security measures, while the University of Virginia, University of Connecticut, and Indiana University have banned campus encampments. New York University revised its student code of conduct to address actions targeting Zionism, and Columbia University restricted public access to its campus.

 

The increased restrictions have sparked criticism from student groups, who argue that these measures overstep boundaries and infringe on free speech. Risa Lieberwitz, American Association of University Professors general counsel, expressed support for the student protestors, stating, “Demonstrations and protests are inherently disruptive in raising issues and making noise, in bringing attention to the issues that are in protest.”

Americans’ attitudes about college campus protests vary significantly by age. An FCAS survey this summer revealed that while many Americans (41%) didn’t have an opinion about the protests, of those who did, people 30 and over supported pro-Israel protesters more than pro-Palestinian protesters, and the opposite was true for 18-to-29-year-olds. 

These age differences aligned with broader beliefs about Israel. Younger Americans were on average far less likely to agree that Israel has the right to exist and defend itself, and they were more likely to believe that Israel is a terrorist state.

 

18-to-29-year-olds were also less likely to think the Pro-Palestinian protests went too far (39% vs 64% for people 50 and older). In addition, younger Americans were less likely to believe the protests crossed the line into antisemitism (34% vs 53% for people 50 and older). On an issue as polarizing as the Israel-Hamas war, it’s expected that Americans’ attitudes about these campus protests differ, particularly by age, but it is tragic when honest debate about war descends into Jewish hate among many students, as so many Americans saw happening.

 

These findings are from “Stand Up to Jewish Hate: The US Antisemitism Landscape Survey,” semi-annual research on Americans’ attitudes around Jewish hate. Read the report on campus protests.

 

A group of Jewish students at Ohio State University are using the Jewish New Year to raise awareness and grow their student group “Jews on Campus.”

 

Leaders of the group say they want to fight hate with positivity, with one of their goals to engage more students outside of the Jewish community. “I think Jewish love and light is important in times like this,” said Jews on Campus co-president Sophia Starr to a local newspaper.

 

This week, in honor of Rosh Hashanah, members of the group delivered baskets with apples and honey to administrators along with letters wishing them a happy and healthy new year. The group hopes to hold more events throughout the year to become a safe space for Jewish students and a place for non-Jews to show their support. “I think it’s been really difficult,” Starr said. “But there are so many students on this campus who are so supportive of the Jewish community. And I think that’s really important to highlight.”

 

Over the past week, the Command Center measured a 67% increase in conversations around hate crimes in reaction to several antisemitic incidents reported across the US. The Blue Moon Hotel, a historic Jewish-owned hotel in Manhattan, has endured ongoing antisemitic attacks and boycotts. These attacks include death threats, protests, and vandalism aimed at the hotel’s facade, with graffiti such as “baby-killer” spray-painted on its windows. Flyers and online posts called for a boycott of the hotel, branding the owners as “Zionist filth” and “war criminals,” because the owner’s son served in the IDF. The owner, Randy Settenbrino, has expressed concern over the lack of action from local authorities. Despite these challenges, he has remained committed to both his Jewish identity and the hotel.

 

In Pittsburgh, police are investigating two antisemitic incidents that occurred over the past week. Nazi banners with handwritten symbols were hung from multiple bridges in the city. The incident followed an antisemitic attack near the University of Pittsburgh, where a man wearing a Star of David necklace was insulted and assaulted by a group of men. The FBI is leading the investigation into the attack. No arrests have been made in either case.

 

In South Haven, Michigan, antisemitic fliers were distributed throughout multiple neighborhoods last Friday. The police released a statement condemning hate speech and emphasizing their commitment to protecting the community. The investigation is ongoing, and patrols in the affected areas have been increased.

 

 

 

 

FCAS is a nonpartisan, registered 501c3 non-profit organization. We do not support any political party or candidate. We never endorse candidates for office. We do call on everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to support the fight against Jewish hate and all hate.

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