Guest: Maya Cukierman, student at Columbia University and End Jew Hatred Campus Fellow
Summary
Imagine being a 19-year-old freshman in college—your life should be about exploring new ideas, making friends, and enjoying the college experience. But for Maya, it meant something much more profound. It meant standing up against antisemitism at Columbia University, facing hateful messages, and shouldering a responsibility that many her age wouldn't even think to take on. In this episode, Maya shares her journey of courage, advocacy, and navigating adversity.
Maya shares her courageous journey of standing up against antisemitism on campus. She discusses her background, the impact of her family's history as Holocaust survivors, and her initiative to create a platform for Jewish history. Maya reflects on the protests that erupted after October 7th, the challenges of balancing activism with her studies, and the role of Jewish organizations in fostering community. She emphasizes the importance of speaking out against hate and the need for accountability from university administration.
Takeaways
Maya's family history as Holocaust survivors deeply influences her activism.
She created a platform to educate others about Jewish history during WWII.
The protests on campus intensified after October 7th, leading to significant unrest.
Maya emphasizes the importance of community support in her advocacy efforts.
Maya learned to balance her activism with the demands of being a freshman.
The administration's response to antisemitism has been criticized for being inadequate.
Maya highlights the need for students to feel safe and supported on campus.
She believes in the power of education and dialogue.
Maya's journey reflects the challenges and responsibilities of young activists today.
Sound Bites
"I came hoping for the best, preparing for the worst."
"I had to learn to say no to some stuff."
"The Jewish community on campus isn't super vocal."
"The administration still has a long way to go."
"I think making students unmask is really important."
"I think speaking up even when it's scary is important."
Chapters
00:00Maya's Journey: Standing Against Antisemitism
05:25The Impact of October 7th: Campus Protests and Activism
12:32Building Community: The Role of Jewish Organizations
18:38Navigating Challenges: Advocacy and Personal Safety
24:51The Role of Administration: Support and Accountability
30:12Future Actions: Addressing Antisemitism on Campus
To watch this full episode: Spotify and YouTube
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