Here’s the gist of what’s happening with a prayer…

In an ironic twist, initiatives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on college campuses have coincided with a rise in anti-Semitic incidents, where Jewish students are targeted for their identity or views on Israel. This has led to Jewish students concealing their religious symbols and facing exclusion from academic clubs, pointing to a significant flaw in DEI application. Calls for reform are growing as anti-Semitism clashes with the core principles of DEI, prompting debates on how to achieve true inclusivity without marginalizing any group.

Lord of all,
We come before You seeking Your grace and wisdom in the midst of turmoil. Where there is hate, sow Your love; where there is injury, pardon. Grant courage to the Jewish students facing hostility in places of learning, and infuse the hearts of all with Your spirit of peace and understanding. May the walls of division crumble, and let the pillars of true Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion rise, anchored in Your justice and compassion. Help us to walk humbly with You, acting justly and loving mercy, as we strive to see Your image in every person. Amen.

Jewish Hate on College Campuses: The Irony of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In a concerning paradox, campuses championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have become arenas where anti-Semitism appears to be gaining ground. A series of recent incidents underscore a troubling trend: Jewish students are increasingly facing hostility, not for any actions of their own, but for perceived connections to the state of Israel.

The Irony of Inclusivity: DEI and the Jewish Dilemma
In the wake of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Jewish students at colleges are grappling with an alarming increase in anti-Semitic incidents. These range from verbal harassment to physical assaults, such as being spat upon simply for being Jewish or claiming support for Israel. These anti-Semitic acts are not coming from Palestinian students, racist faculty, or right-wing extremists. They are coming from liberal groups formed for the purpose of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The irony here is stark: initiatives that aim to foster inclusivity and equity on campuses are coinciding with, and some argue inadvertently inspiring, a wave of Jew-hatred. This rise in hostility correlates with an era where DEI has become a cornerstone of campus life, intended to promote a safe and inclusive environment for all minorities. Yet, it seems to falter when it comes to protecting Jewish students.

These groups, claiming to be bastions of inclusivity and love, have a confrontational history with people who hold Judeo-Christian values. In an attempt to veer away from the traditional value structures that have contributed to the fabric of the United States (for better or worse), there seems to be an overcorrection. Students have aimed their ire at Jews and Christians. And, as the number of Palestinians harmed in the wake of the Israeli/Hamas war rises, there’s a growing hatred for Jews disguised as support for Palestine. 

It’s Personal
At Rutgers University, students like Adina Pinsker conceal their religious symbols, seeking anonymity to avoid confrontations over their Jewish identity or support for Israel. Some Jewish students have that priveledge to remain anonymous. Others are unable to hide. This self-erasure amongst Jewish students is a reaction to the exclusion they face from academic clubs and groups based on their Zionist views, which is often conflated with support for all policies of the Israeli government.

The Anti-Defamation League notes a threefold increase in campus antisemitic incidents from 2014 to 2021. Simultaneously, the State Department's definition of anti-Semitism, which includes holding Jews collectively responsible for Israel's actions, seems to be at odds with on-campus realities.

DEI: A Double-Edged Sword?
The original intent of DEI is to embrace diversity, yet Jewish students find themselves ostracized for their cultural and political beliefs. This discordance points to a profound irony within DEI's application. Efforts to promote fairness and address one form of bias seem to have inadvertently sanctioned another, creating an environment where antisemitism can masquerade as political activism against Israel. Some of the most sinister forms of racism are often masked in morality. 

On some campuses, students have been ejected from clubs or barred from student government roles due to their pro-Israel stances. This suggests a troubling trend where the DEI narrative, in certain instances, might be perpetuating a form of selective exclusion, contradicting its claimed principles.

The surge in anti-Semitism seems to be tied not only to criticism of Israeli politics but also to broader definitions of Zionism and Jewish identity. Such sweeping generalizations have led to a climate where expressing support for Israel's right to exist can lead to social ostracism or worse.

The Call for Reform
The situation has grown so dire that in some cases, like at the State University of New York at New Paltz, Jewish students require police escorts due to threats and intimidation. Donors and alumni have taken notice, with some withdrawing support in protest of the universities' handling of anti-Semitism. This has sparked a debate on the need for tangible reforms, with critics arguing that DEI efforts should be reassessed to ensure they do not foster environments where anti-Semitism can thrive.

The Need for Balanced Inclusivity
The wave of anti-Semitism washing over college campuses in the DEI era is laden with ironies. Initiatives designed to ensure fairness for all have culminated in a situation where Jewish students often feel the need to hide their identities. This is anathema to the very concept of inclusivity.

As DEI principles are put under the microscope, the question arises: How can universities maintain the spirit of inclusivity without compromising the safety and rights of all student populations? DEI initiatives may have been created with good intentions, but without an anchor that transcends opinions and whims, they fail. Any ideology forged on the anvil of feelings is destined for failure. Perhaps a more transcendent, otherworldly anchor is required to inspire true, long-lasting compassion. 

This is where the divine call of Christ comes into play. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, upholding justice for the disinherited, recognizing the divine stamp of God’s image in all people, praying for our enemies, and seeking the good of our community. These principles can find the balance between standing up for the oppressed without aiming hatred at entire groups of people. 

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does The Lord require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

Thank you for joining us today on PRAY NEWS. It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you will proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force for good.