Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began with the October 7th attacks, colleges across the United States have experienced an increase in incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. Windward, which strives to foster a community of diversity and belonging, has been trying to navigate its seniors through the college application process in light of this heightened climate.

This rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia — felt throughout the country — has been most markedly seen on college campuses, where passionate student activists have initiated protests on campus. While some of these protests have been a peaceful method of demonstrating students’ political beliefs, many of them have resulted in violence, where Jewish and Arab students have been physically attacked. In addition to bouts of violence, these protests have incited hateful speech across these campuses, causing both emotional and physical safety concerns.

A study done by the ADL from the Center for Anti-Semitism Research comparing Jewish college students’ opinions on anti-Semitism before and after the Israel-Hamas attacks found significant changes in their responses. Before October 7th, 63.7% of Jewish students felt “very” or “extremely” comfortable on campus, while after the attacks, only 38.6% felt this way. Additionally, 70% of students now believe that their university should do more to address anti-Semitism.

Similarly, hate crimes targeting Arab and Muslim students on campuses have grown in number. According to PEN America, hate speech directed towards Arab students has increased, and been reported at universities, such as American, Vanderbilt, and Princeton. Moreover, at Stanford University, an Arab Muslim student was the victim of a hit-and-run that authorities are investigating as a hate crime. Also, Arab students at George Washington University have reported their hijabs being ripped off. Many Arab and Muslim students feel insufficiently supported by college administrations, due to lack of efforts to support students and treat anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia justly.

Before October 7th, 63.7% of Jewish students felt “very” or “extremely” comfortable on campus, while after the attacks, only 38.6% felt this way.

So how have Windward seniors responded to these concerns?

Windward Dean of College Counseling Molly Branch said that she hasn’t seen seniors making many changes to their college application lists mid-semester in light of the protests on campus. She noted that the lists were mainly created “last year and over the summer,” before the Middle East conflict which she believes has changed the climate on campuses. “Things weren’t the same last year as they are right now,” said Branch.

Branch continued, “there are certain schools that have [big] names that are attached to them that kids are going to want to apply to regardless.” However, she noted that if a student felt uncomfortable with the on-campus climate, she and her team would assist with additional research.

Windward’s affinity groups have also been keeping up to date with current events on college campuses.

“When it comes to certain issues, it can be difficult to determine whether it is the school’s responsibility to respond or not,” says Sherif Zakaria, the Middle School Division Coordinator who leads the Arab Affinity Group. “However, what we can do is examine the discourse surrounding these issues, or even the lack of discourse, and try to gain a deeper understanding of them.”

Zakaria explained that the Arab Affinity Group is in its “infancy stage” and hasn’t yet been able to address increasing Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism. “We are still establishing the community, discussing our shared cultural interests, and beginning the goal-setting process for the new year and beyond.” Zakaria continued, “My main goal is to create a safe space where students can share their experiences and celebrate their heritage.”

According to PEN America, hate speech directed towards Arab students has increased, and been reported at universities, such as American, Vanderbilt, and Princeton.

The Windward Jewish Affinity Group is taking a head-on approach to the heightened anti-Semitism at colleges. At the affinity group’s meeting on January 3rd, the group addressed recent events involving the congressional testimonies of three college presidents.

On December 5, 2023 the presidents of Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and MIT testified before Congress about the increase in anti-Semitism on their campuses. At the hearing, Harvard president Claudine Gay and her counterparts claimed that deciding whether the calling for the genocide of Jews goes against goes against the school’s code of conduct is a “context-dependent decision.” Fallout from these responses have led to the resignations of the presidents of Harvard and University of Pennsylvania.

The Jewish Affinity Group leaders led a discussion about how these events have impacted Jewish college students and Jewish students at Windward.

When addressing anti-Semitism in general, one of the group’s leaders said, “We’ve been hosting seminars where students have been able to discuss how they’ve been feeling about all of the current events that have been going on.”

Furthermore, the leader mentioned how Windward brought in guest speaker Ben Freeman to address anti-Semitism due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Ben Freeman, a Jewish leader, educator, and author, addressed the rise of anti-Semitism at a Windward assembly on November 9, 2023. At the assembly, Ben shared his experience as a Jew during an ongoing increase in anti-Semitism and his own views on the October 7th attacks. However, Freeman’s presentation was met with mixed feelings from the Windward population. As a result, the Windward administration sent out an email expressing their regret about the impact of the assembly.

Windward parents are also grappling with applying to college during this challenging time.

“Never would I have imagined that [my son] could be ostracized or endangered by his religion,” said a Jewish parent of a Windward senior. “I always believed that being Jewish in America was just as safe as being Jewish in Israel. Much has changed for me now.”

The parent went on to say that she worries that anti-Semitism will only continue to grow.

Recent Windward alums are facing these tensions on campus right now.

“I think it’s a good idea that seniors consider the presence of anti-Semitism on campuses when applying, but regardless of where you go, discrimination will arise,” said a Windward alum who is currently a sophomore in college. The alum noted that he didn’t “consider the Jewish presence on campus when applying” as it was less of a factor at that time.

The alum concluded, “I think living amongst hate and understanding its origins is something that comes with a good education which I believe Windward provides.”