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Welcome to the August edition of the Jewish Future Promise Newsletter.

Promisers to date: The Jewish Future Promise reached 71,214 Signers, and the Jewish Youth Promise now has 23,384 Youth Signers.
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How-To: Identify and Combat In-School Antisemitism This Fall

To help prepare for the new school year, our colleagues at StandWithUs shared important advice and resources for Jewish students, parents, and community members:
What defines antisemitic discrimination and what are some examples?
Antisemitic discrimination involves treating Jewish individuals differently because of their Jewish identity. This can include exclusion from activities such as school clubs, unequal treatment in academic settings, or social ostracization.
Some common examples of antisemitism we see on-campus include:
* Excluding Jewish students from clubs or activities because of their real or perceived support for Israel

* Teachers and peers sharing one-sided opinions on the current Israel-Hamas war

* Expecting Jewish students to speak on behalf of all Jews or the State of Israel

* Anti-Israel activities in schools including posters/stickers, walkouts, anti-Israel speakers, and biased curriculum

* Antisemitic graffiti including swastikas

If you feel you are being targeted for being Jewish, what is the first action and following actions you need to take?
1. The first step is being able to identify antisemitism in all of its forms. Record all evidence. If you see or hear hate speech, take screenshots of it, save email exchanges, take photos and videos, and keep leaflets or flyers. Report incidents and follow up in writing. Save all emails.

2. Once you have identified antisemitism, call it out and expect action from your community. Stay calm and respectful at all times, using your passion but avoiding your anger.Condemn actions, ideas, and speech; not people. People get defensive; hateful speech/actions are indefensible.

3. Finally, offer education. Education is our most important tool for combatting hatred. Students and adults alike can provide educational materials and resources for schools to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jewish American Heritage Month, and other commemorative days.
Check out StandWithUs's [link removed] high school activism resources here . For additional support resources for Jewish students and parents, [link removed] click here to read the full article on our website. [ [link removed] ] [link removed]
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New & Newsworthy
[link removed] The Responsibility of Jewish Educators in Ensuring Future Engagement and Support [ [link removed] ]– Times of Israel
[link removed] StandWithUs High School students make the Jewish Youth [ [link removed] ]Promise

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Promiser Spotlight: Shabbos Kestenbaum

ShabbosKestenbaum is a student activist and the lead plaintiff against Harvard University, alleging pervasive and systemic antisemitism.
Tell us about your experience as a student at Harvard University the night of October 7, 2023.
On the night of October 7, we (Harvard) had 34 student groups representing more than 1,000 students jump out of their beds to draft what they called “an emergency statement” to blame Jews for the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. The opening line of their statement literally said, “we hold the Israeli regime responsible for all violence.”
The WhatsApp group I’m a part of at the Harvard Divinity School, with 3,400 students, saw a post that same night organizing a ‘Long Live the Palestinian Resistance’ rally. The response from my classmates and my friends was if he was planning a picnic in the park. “Can I bring my dog? Is this open to community members. Can I help out with signs?”
Jewish students on campus did not have time to grieve but were immediately thrust into a defensive position. We had to articulate not only why the Jewish State had a right and obligation to defend itself, but why we as Jewish students had a right to be on our own campus.
Why did you and fellow Jewish students file a lawsuit against Harvard?
After October 7, the Jewish world began fighting on all the fronts – such as a military front fought in the Middle East and an ideological front being fought on college campuses.
We did not, and still do not want to do this, but we felt we had no other recourse. We cannot allow systemic discrimination against Jewish and Zionist voices on a college campus. When you have a university that is either unable or unwilling to protect its Jewish students, we must hold them accountable in the court of law.
Why is the Jewish Future Promise so important?
Education is the most important way to engage or re-engage young American Jews. This ties in nicely with the Jewish Future Promise, as we must pledge to build up and support institutions that inculcate a sense of Jewish pride within young people.
That means providing educational opportunities: whether that means a trip to Israel, a guest lecturer or speaker, a rally or an IsraelFest. We must support causes that amplify students’ voices and alleviate their concerns, to create louder and prouder Jews.
What feedback and support have you received from fellow Jewish students given your public stance?
It reminds me of the Charles Dickens line: “it was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” Right now is the worst of times given the out-of-control pervasive and sustained antisemitism on college campuses, but there has also been so much light. There’s been so much positivity and coming together of Jews and non-Jews alike, and I am deeply fortunate that I can be the recipient of so many positive messages.
Read Shabbos’ full promiser spotlight article [link removed] here [ [link removed] ]

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