Standing Strong: DFW MACA’s Mission to Empower Students

Standing Strong: DFW MACA’s Mission to Empower Students in a Time of Rising Antisemitism

For more than nineteen months, we have witnessed a consistent alarming surge in antisemitism across the United States — not only on social media and city streets, but within our most sacred institutions: our schools and universities. The brutal assassination of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C., has shocked the Jewish community and laid bare the escalating threats we face. This heinous act was not only an attack on two innocent lives — it was an assault on every Jewish person who dares to live visibly and proudly in America.

At DFW MACA (Mothers Against College Antisemitism), we refuse to sit quietly. In response to this tragedy and the growing climate of fear and hostility, we are significantly escalating our efforts across North Texas. Our goal is simple but urgent: to educate, protect, and empower Jewish students — and all students of conscience — on our local campuses.

This coming academic year, our organization is taking bold, tangible action.

Elevating Voices of Truth

We are proud to be bringing in world-renowned Holocaust scholar and University of Texas at Dallas professor Dr. David Patterson to speak directly to students and faculty about the ideological rot spreading in American academia. Dr. Patterson’s expertise is critical at this moment. He will shine a light on the intellectual currents that have mainstreamed antisemitism under the guise of social justice, anti-Zionism, and academic freedom. Students deserve to understand the historical patterns and modern disguises of hate — and how to push back with moral clarity and courage.

Joining him are voices like Shai Davidai, a Columbia University professor whose outspoken stance against antisemitic double standards has inspired students across the country, and Zack Sage Fox, a dynamic Jewish activist known for bridging communities and empowering youth. These events are open to students of all backgrounds and faiths, and they aim not only to educate but to inspire solidarity in the face of growing division.

Empowerment Through Self-Defense

DFW MACA also understands that education alone is not enough. Our students must be equipped to protect themselves. This year, we are launching a new Krav Maga self-defense program for both high school and college students. This Israeli martial art, designed for real-world threats, teaches more than just physical technique — it builds confidence, situational awareness, and community strength. In the face of growing intimidation on and off campus, our children must know they are not helpless — and they are not alone.

Building Bridges Across Faiths

Antisemitism does not exist in a vacuum. It thrives in silence and division. That’s why DFW MACA is also forging strong interfaith partnerships with Hindu and Christian communities throughout North Texas. We are working hand-in-hand with churches and local temples to host joint events, share resources, and speak with one united voice: hatred against any community is hatred against us all.

These coalitions are not just symbolic — they are essential. The Jewish community cannot and should not fight this battle alone. By standing shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors of different faiths, we amplify our voice and affirm our shared American values of freedom, dignity, and pluralism.

A Call to Action

We are at an inflection point. What happens on college campuses today will shape the leadership of tomorrow. When Jewish students are harassed, silenced, or made to feel unsafe for expressing their identity or support for Israel, it’s not just a Jewish issue — it’s a moral crisis for our nation.

At DFW MACA, we are mothers, fathers, students, alumni, and allies. We are Democrats, Republicans, independents. We are Jewish — and we are proudly American. We believe every student has the right to learn in an environment free from hate and fear. And we will not rest until that is a reality.

To our community: join us. Whether it’s attending an event, supporting our programs, or simply standing up when you see injustice, your voice matters.

This year, we are not just responding to hate. We are building a movement of hope, resilience, and unapologetic pride.

We invite you to be part of it.

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