September 2024
Jazmin Rymberg

At a recent Hamilton Jewish Federation event, Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish activist and Harvard graduate, discussed the increasing antisemitism on American college campuses. His presentation highlighted the challenges Jewish students face at prestigious institutions, including his own experiences at Harvard University.

Kestenbaum, the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against Harvard University alleging pervasive and systemic antisemitism, described how Jewish students struggled with administrative responses to antisemitism even before the events of Oct. 7. 

When a Palestinian student group invited an antisemitic speaker, Jewish students raised concerns, only to be told by the administration that the speaker’s rights were protected under the First Amendment. This selective defence of free speech, Kestenbaum argued, reflects a troubling indifference to the safety and well-being of Jewish students. “Harvard is training the next generation of political leaders,” he warned, expressing concern that these future leaders might be shaped by a culture that tolerates antisemitism under the guise of free speech.

Kestenbaum recalled flying to Israel after Oct. 7 to assist in the burial of fallen soldiers, only to return to a campus filled with pro-Hamas rallies. Some Harvard professors, he noted, went as far as to describe Hamas as “resistance fighters,” a position that stunned him. Kestenbaum’s experiences highlighted a stark contrast between the university’s vocal support for other social justice causes and its silence on antisemitism.

“After George Floyd’s death, the administration condemned police violence and white supremacy,” Kestenbaum said. “They displayed a large Ukrainian flag when war broke out in Ukraine. But when asked to fly an Israeli flag, they flat out refused.” 

Kestenbaum also spoke about the harassment that led him to hire private security following his return from assisting in Israel after October 7.  He also shared an incident in which an Israeli student was asked to leave a class solely because of her nationality. These issues are not about politics or Israel, he stressed. “They are about the pervasive and unchecked antisemitism that Jewish students face daily.” 

When an audience member asked whether Jewish donors should continue to contribute financially to create safer spaces for Jewish students, Kestenbaum’s response was unequivocal. “No,” he declared, arguing that the responsibility for the safety and security of students should fall on the university, not the donors. 

Kestenbaum also addressed concerns about political bias, explaining that his advocacy is centered on combating antisemitism, regardless of political affiliation. He stated, “This isn’t about being a Democrat or a Republican. I’d be more comfortable speaking with liberal media, but they don’t want me there. The RNC and Fox News have given me a platform, and I would be an idiot not to use it.” 

Finally, Kestenbaum called on Jewish organizations to do more to support Jewish students and amplify their voices. He emphasized that antisemitism is a human rights issue, urging Jewish communities and institutions to take meaningful actions to protect and support Jewish students.