‘In Unity, there is strength’

It’s a big week for college students and their parents. My social media feeds are flooded with moving-in day pictures—some from parents I know, and many from students I’ve had the privilege to meet since launching the ADIR Challenge Foundation last year.

Yesterday, I listened closely to Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech. While it addressed significant issues, I couldn’t help but wish more attention was given to what’s happening on US college campuses today. The implosion of higher education and the erosion of a civil society that once prioritized safety are becoming all too apparent.

In her speech, she mentioned that “in unity, there is strength,” but this is only true when it is inclusive and doesn’t have double standards for one group over another—only when it includes Jews and doesn’t exclude them. Inclusiveness, especially one that seeks to protect good over evil, to protect light over darkness, to protect freedoms over tyranny, is one thing to speak of and another thing to act upon. Now is a time for action.

As I watched victims of gun violence share their tragic stories, I was struck by the absence of any mention of the challenges Jewish students face on college campuses. Despite being targeted, these students often find themselves without adequate protection from their schools. This issue isn’t just about a conflict in the Middle East or about the Jewish community alone—savvy observers understand that antisemitism is the canary in the coal mine.

We have to wake up to the truth: what we are witnessing on college campuses is a manifestation of a war on civilization and our core values. This past year should have served as the ultimate wake-up call. Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and take action.

This was a key part of the podcast conversation I recently had with Dalia Ziada, who is currently a Senior Fellow for Research and Diplomacy in North America with the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. She bravely stood on the side of truth and against Hamas after bearing witness to the events of October 7th. In doing so, she was forced to flee her hometown of Cairo to find safety here in the US.

Below, I’ve shared a snippet from that discussion. I highly recommend finding this episode of “Innovated” and listening to Dalia’s insights on this topic and many others that are crucial for us to understand if we want to move forward and write the next great chapter in the American story.