Pressing Pause on Antisemitism Talks

Last week, at a birthday party, I was approached by one of our young community members. She had just returned from an amazing trip to the Promised Land with Taglit-Birthright, and now that she was back in the Netherlands, she felt a void; she missed Israel. She told me she needed a “dose of Yiddishkeit—Judaism” and asked if she could join us for Shabbat. Of course, I said yes—that’s what we’re here for!

Shabbat Dinner with Jewish Students at Chabad on Campus in Amsterdam

But what actually happens during a Shabbat dinner at our home? The conversations are as diverse as the people around the table, varying from one corner to the next. Among the “young professionals,” the discussions often revolve around serious topics like future and career plans, the housing market (our gefilte fish has quietly witnessed the birth of many business deals), the best restaurants, love, and the various dating apps. Did you know, for example, that J-Swipe hasn’t been updated in ten years and that being spotted on Tinder is a definite no-go? However, in the students’ corner, dating is a taboo topic. Instead, they talk about deadlines, festivals, politics, the latest Netflix series, and sometimes about safe (or not-so-safe) recreational drugs—in other words, student life.

There is, however, one topic we deliberately avoid: Israeli politics and antisemitism. This is a conscious choice. Shabbat should be a time to escape from heavy subjects, to enjoy each other’s company, and to reflect on our own identity and place in society.

Since it was quieter last week due to the holiday season, I made an exception. In hindsight, that turned out to be a mistake. With the upcoming academic year on the horizon and a meeting with the new Minister of Education on the agenda, I thought it would be a good idea to address issues like antisemitism and feelings of safety. And while it did lead to an interesting discussion, a student approached me afterward with a simple request: “Can we skip this topic in the future? I come here to escape from the outside world.”

Minister of Education Eppo Bruins and a delegation of the Jewish Academic Community in advancd of a shabbat dinner.

His words struck a chord with me, and I realized how important it is to keep the time we share as a community relaxed and enjoyable. So, when the universities start up again and we resume our Shabbat dinners on August 30, the conversations will once again cover all sorts of topics—Judaism, love, economics, deadlines, social media, careers, and friendships—but Israeli politics and antisemitism? We’ll save those for another time.

This article is a translation of a in Dutch written column for the NIW (Nieuw Israelitisch Weekblad). To reach out to rabbi Yanki Jacobs or to Chabad on Campus of the Netherlands, you can do so through www.chabadoncampus.nl/en