Imagine that you’re a typical college student strolling through your campus on the way to class. You’re not Jewish. When it comes to Israel or the war in Gaza, you don’t have any strong opinions either way.
On your left, you come across a demonstration featuring the flag of Hamas and protesters yelling things like “Globalize the Intifada” and holding up signs with messages like “Zionism is Terrorism.”
The mood is hostile.
As you keep walking, you hear this cool Israeli techno music on your right and see a group of students dancing and milling around a little tent with a large Israeli flag. As you get closer, someone hands you an invitation to a Shabbat dinner.
The mood is festive.
Now ask yourself: Which group would you rather associate with — the angry haters or the cool partiers?
I’m not being flip. It’s clear that the problem of antisemitism on college campuses is deadly serious. The bullying of Jewish students we saw last year is both unlawful and unacceptable, and bullies must know there are consequences. The schools must do better, and we must keep fighting with all means at our disposal. Indeed, as you’ll read in this week’s cover story by Aaron Bandler, pro-Israel groups across the country are mobilizing to do just that.
But there’s more than one way to fight.
One way is direct: Identify the threat and fight it head on.
The other way is indirect but can be equally powerful: Fight from the side and catch the haters off guard. While they promote hate, you promote joy.
Of course it’s not either/or. We need both. We need the punches and the party. But since the idea of a party is anything but obvious in these times of anxiety, it needs a special pitch.
It’s important to remember that the anti-Israel protest movement is not simply about freedom of expression. It’s also about shutting down and intimidating Jews and Israel supporters to negate their freedom of expression. What better way to express oneself than through cool music. Not only will Jews not be shut down, they will party to boot.
For the silent majority of students whose minds haven’t yet been contaminated by hateful propaganda, these parties are especially attractive. The joy is meant for them. They are the ones who can be moved to see deeper truths.
I read recently that after the campus turmoil of last year, many Jewish students are simply hoping for a “normal year.” I get that. When you’re assaulted just for being Jewish or believing in Israel’s right to exist, it’s natural to aspire to a peaceful status quo.
That peaceful status quo, however, is not happening anytime soon. The haters are out in full force and they have the wind at their backs. College authorities seem better prepared this year to protect Jewish students, but the haters feed on such opposition. We shouldn’t expect campus anxiety to die down.
But if all we do is react based on our anxiety, we’ll just follow the usual playbook. This year we need some fresh, disruptive ideas.
Having Nova parties on campuses is a fresh, disruptive idea. It’s also strategic. It breaks the ice with neutral students so they’ll be more open to hearing the deeper truths of the conflict and the Zionist story.
The parties also show that Jews are not just focused on security and protection. We aim higher. We love life. We spread joy. This is a more accurate picture of who we are: We fight when we must, but we never forget the love of life that drives us. That’s the Jewish way.
The hundreds of Israeli partiers who perished at the hands of Hamas at the Nova festival on Oct. 7 were all about joy. What better way to honor their memories than to relive their festive spirit on college campuses?
What better way to empower Jewish students through joy when they need it most?
