When Silence is Finally Broken
Several months ago, I wrote When Silence Hurts — a blog born out of the deep frustration shared by many parents in Plano ISD who felt unheard and abandoned as antisemitism crept into our classrooms. At the time, repeated attempts to reach local and state officials were met with silence, leaving Jewish families feeling isolated and ignored.
But today, I write with a renewed sense of hope.
Since the publication of that blog and the growing awareness around the issue, we’ve seen meaningful acknowledgment from our elected leaders. Congressman Pat Fallon, Senator John Cornyn, and Congressman Keith Self have all taken public stands via their social media platforms, affirming that antisemitism has no place in Texas. These statements matter. They are the first step in demonstrating that our voices are finally being heard — and that our children’s safety and dignity in educational spaces are being taken seriously.
To each of these leaders, I offer my sincere gratitude. Thank you for recognizing the urgency of this issue and for speaking out.
Now, let’s take the next step — together.
I invite our state and local representatives to join forces with DFW Mothers Against College Antisemitism as we continue our work to ensure Texas campuses — from elementary schools to universities — are free from hate, discrimination, and fear. Only through united action can we ensure that antisemitism is not just condemned in words, but eradicated in practice.
Let’s not allow the silence to return.
Miriam Zivin was born in Canada and has spent significant portions of her life in Texas and Israel. After completing the last two years of high school in Israel, she volunteered and served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Miriam earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Arizona in 1998, and in 2000 she obtained a master’s degree in early childhood special education from the University of Texas at Austin. With a passion for education, Miriam taught special education for 11 years and Hebrew language at Akiba Academy in Dallas, Texas, for six years. Additionally, she is a licensed educational diagnostician. As the mother of two university students, she has been actively involved in Jewish campus life across various universities. In response to the events of October 7, 2023, Miriam became aware of Mothers Against College Antisemitism (MACA), a grassroots movement that has evolved into a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to combating antisemitism on college campuses. Recognizing the importance of this mission, she became one of the founding members of the DFW MACA chapter, established in December 2024. This chapter has grown to include over 100 members who are committed to protecting and advocating for Jewish students in North Texas universities. The members of this group meet monthly, both in person and online, to strategize and implement initiatives that support Jewish life on university campuses. Miriam is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for Jewish students and combating antisemitism, making significant contributions to the community through her work with MACA and beyond. Miriam is married to Mitchell Zivin, and is the mother of Ben (20) and Ella (18), both students at the University of Oklahoma.
