Waking Up to See My Name in the Media as a ‘Genocide Enabler’

I woke up on September 12th to find my name circulating on social media, labeled as a “genocide enabler.” Surprisingly, my reaction was not what I had anticipated. Instead of feeling upset or anxious about potential repercussions, I felt empowered. My role as an Engagement Associate for Hillel and the Jewish community had made enough of an impact that my name was being used. I realized I now had a voice—something not all Jews are inherently given.

My grandfather, along with many Jewish ancestors, never had the privilege of choosing the identity behind his name. During the Holocaust, he was reduced to a statistic, just another Jew who “deserved” death for simply existing. That legacy weighs heavily on me. Witnessing how quickly anti-Zionism can devolve into antisemitism, and being falsely labeled as a “genocide enabler,” solidified my determination to use my voice boldly and without hesitation.

You might wonder how I earned such a harsh label. The accusation arose from something quite simple: I helped organize a welcome-back dinner for new Jewish students across nine campuses in Manhattan. Contrary to the implications, this was not an event advocating for genocide or specifically focused on Israel; it was a gathering aimed at fostering community among students united by their shared Jewish identity.

Unfortunately, it was that very identity that posed the problem. The goal of our annual welcome-back dinner is straightforward: to create a sense of community and ease students’ transition into university life. On September 3rd, as my colleagues and I, along with around 100 students, made our way to Mr. Broadway for dinner, I received a frantic call. A student who had arrived early warned that hostile protesters were blocking the entrance.

I rushed to the restaurant, acutely aware of my responsibility to ensure the students’ safety. Upon arrival, I encountered a group of protesters wearing keffiyehs and masks, holding signs with messages like “It’s time to rebel, Hillel go to hell,” while shouting accusations that we were “scum of the earth,” “baby killers,” and “rapists” committing genocide. While I had become accustomed to such inflammatory rhetoric in my job, the freshman students—many of whom were facing this hostility for the first time—were visibly shaken.

Despite the protesters’ attempts to obstruct our entry, my colleagues and I safely guided students inside, though we were shoved in the process. My priority was to calm the students who had just confronted a stark display of antisemitism disguised as anti-Zionism. Even though the event was not advertised as Israel-related, the protesters justified their threats and intimidation due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

During my job interview at Hillel at Baruch in August 2023, I was asked if I identified as a Zionist, to which I affirmed without much thought. However, after October 7th, that word came to encapsulate my entire role. The discourse, especially on college campuses, became increasingly polarized, limiting the ability to hold nuanced views and recognize multiple truths. This cultivated a hostile environment where anti-Zionism and antisemitism were no longer seen as separate.

We must return to a point in society where differing views do not lead to such polarization and hatred. It is essential to teach our students how to engage in respectful discourse, build tolerance for opposing views, and, above all, recognize each other’s humanity.

Now, over a year into this role and having witnessed antisemitism in all its forms, I can confidently affirm, “YES, I AM A ZIONIST.” I will always stand firmly for the Jewish nation and homeland while holding space in my heart for all of humanity because these do not have to exist as separate entities.

You can keep using my name; I am not going anywhere! Am Yisrael Chai!