MACA: Moving Forward with Purpose
In January, an article published in E Jewish Philanthropy by Jay Deitcher referenced internal challenges within Mothers Against College Antisemitism (MACA). While periods of transition and disagreement are not uncommon in growing grassroots movements, it is important for our members, supporters, and the broader Jewish community to hear directly from us — clearly, honestly, and without distraction from our core purpose.
MACA’s mission has not changed.
From its inception, MACA has existed to support, protect, and empower Jewish students on college campuses. That mission remains unwavering. We are, and will continue to be, a place where parents come together to share concerns, exchange information, celebrate victories, and advocate fiercely for the safety and dignity of our children. MACA is bigger than any one individual, and stronger than any moment of internal tension. Our focus has always been — and will remain — the greater good.
Antisemitism on college campuses is not theoretical. It is not isolated. It is not slowing down. Jewish students across the country are facing harassment, intimidation, exclusion, and in some cases, outright danger. These realities demand clarity, resolve, and action — not division. MACA exists because our children need us now more than ever.
One of the most powerful examples of what MACA can accomplish is the DFW MACA chapter, which has emerged as the largest and most active chapter in the country. DFW MACA has set a high bar through community engagement, fundraising, campus advocacy, and direct support for Jewish students. It has become a model for what is possible when parents organize with purpose and determination.
That momentum is spreading.
We currently have chapters forming or launching in New York, Los Angeles, Michigan, San Francisco, and Florida, with more on the way. Each chapter reflects the same shared commitment: standing up for Jewish students and confronting antisemitism in all its forms — whether it appears in classrooms, student governments, faculty conduct, or campus culture.
I have recently stepped into the role of President of the Board, and I do so with deep determination and a renewed sense of responsibility. I am more committed than ever to helping MACA reach its full potential — as a national force for advocacy, education, and accountability. We will continue building structures that strengthen our chapters, support our members, and amplify the voices of Jewish students who too often feel unheard.
We welcome anyone who cares about Jewish students — and about the safety and integrity of college campuses as a whole — to stand with us. This is not a fight that belongs to one organization or one community alone. It is a moral obligation.
If you would like to get involved, start a chapter, support our efforts, or simply connect, I invite you to reach out to me directly.
Miriam Zivin
President of the Board, The MACA Foundation Inc.
miriamzivin@dfwmaca.com
Together, we will persevere. Our children deserve nothing less.