KSU Students Handle Protest During Oct. 7 Memorial
Jewish students step up for Israel and Jewish pride to commemorate the tragic attack by Hamas.
If the Jewish students at Kennesaw State University (KSU) are any indication of the current state of Jewish identity and pride at college campuses in Georgia, communities throughout the state can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Despite a loud anti-Israel protest steps away from the Hillel table on Oct. 7, 2024, the students’ cool heads, intelligence, maturity, thoughtfulness and courage were evident and noticed by other students, faculty, administrators and visitors at the campus.
As students affiliated with Hillel and Chabad of Kennesaw planned to commemorate the anniversary of the Israel massacre, the worst slaughter of the Jewish people since the Holocaust, the Party for Socialism & Liberation announced their own plan for a “Walkout for Palestine” the same day. Not only that, but the pro-Hamas and –Hezbollah group reserved space adjacent to the Hillel group. On Oct. 7, both gathered in the middle of the day on The Green in the center of the KSU campus.
Shortly before the Palestinian group assembled, Dave Clark, wearing an American flag on his back and a Mogen David around his neck, said, “That the Party for Socialism & Liberation chose this day to protest feels antagonistic to me.” Dave is a junior majoring in history and a regular Hillel participant.
Shouting “Down, down with occupation; up, up with liberation,” among other chants, and referring to Israelis as “colonizers,” the participants from the Party for Socialism & Liberation used a bullhorn to amplify their voices and held a variety of signs, including ones with a “No War on Iran” slogan interspersed with many Palestinian flags throughout the crowd. Their voices were loud and angry.
When asked why the group chose Oct. 7 for the walkout, a leader from the Party for Socialism & Liberation responded that Oct. 7 marked a horrible beginning for the residents of Gaza. When asked if she could understand the Jewish students’ pain due to the rapes, murders and hostages still left in Gaza, she asked if Netanyahu asks these questions about the people in Gaza. She declined to be identified.
Sarina Amar is the Student Board president of Hillel and spent most of her time speaking with students – both Jewish and non-Jewish — who visited the Hillel table to find out more information and ask questions. “We are here in peace and to create an open dialogue,” she said. “We know it’s even difficult for many Palestinians right now with Hamas. It’s difficult to see the group next to us cheering on Hamas and Hezbollah.” Amar spoke of visiting family in Kiryat Shmona in 2006 and again this summer as missiles flew overhead from the Lebanese border.
Close to 100 people gathered or stopped by the Hillel table where hostage dog tag necklaces and yellow ribbon pins were offered to visitors. Educational pamphlets about Oct. 7 and the current state of Israeli affairs were offered as well. Postcards depicting pieces of art commemorating the tragic incidents of Oct. 7 were also distributed. On the back of each postcard, information about the artist’s work and inspiration was shared.
At an impromptu table set up behind Hillel’s main table, three young men sat in chairs taking questions and discussing issues raised by several of the students who had drifted over from the protest next to them. They remained calm even as some of the protesters grew angry. Freshman Liam Kazula, who is interested in Israel and politics, was engaged in conversations with several anti-Israel protestors who came over to the table, which was draped in a cloth of the American and Israeli flags.
“I’m glad I was able to teach many of the protestors some points about the current conflict. Many of them had incorrect information that they shared with me. When you are able to share correct numbers and facts, there is little to dispute. Some of them were more knowledgeable than others. I had an excellent conversation with one student in particular who seemed genuinely interested in learning more about our point of view,” said Kazula.
At the nearby Chabad table, Rabbi Zalman Charytan encouraged greater Jewish pride and belonging among the Jewish students he welcomed to the table. Many students were able to wrap tefillin and receive Shabbat candles. All students – whether Jewish or non-Jewish — were given a bright yellow piggy bank shaped like an ark to collect funds to donate to their favorite charity. Rabbi Charytan explained that “ARK” is the acronym for “acts of random kindness,” and he would be giving them out to all students throughout the day at KSU.
“We are out on The Green every week and offer KSU students a chance to do mitzvot. We give them mezuzot and candles, and we wrap tefillin. Instead of focusing on the negative messages of the outside groups, we focus on bringing in more light. Our goal is to create a sense of Jewish belonging and pride, as well as to bring more goodness and kindness to all in our community,” said Rabbi Charytan.
Norman Radow, a KSU benefactor for whom the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences is named, was in attendance to support the students gathered at the Hillel table. “The Party for Socialism & Liberation conducted an aggressive three-week promotional campaign to get people to attend the walkout. Even with all their work and social media posts, they could only muster about 40 people to attend — with virtually no one else looking on or participating,” said Radow. “Their message is one of anger. Look around at the Hillel group and you’ll see young people with the American flag on their shoulders. Ours is a message of love, especially for Western values, and one of goodness,” he added.
When asked why he thought the university allowed the walkout to happen, Radow cited a recent decision by a district court judge who ruled that a Students for Justice in Palestine rally could proceed on Oct. 7 at the University of Maryland, despite the president of the school initially banning any student protests that day. In the ruling, first amendment rights were cited as paramount in reaching the decision.
Tammy DeMel, Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communication, responded to an inquiry about the university’s decision to approve the walkout with the following written statement: In response to your inquiry, as a public university, KSU follows established procedures and guidelines for all on-campus events, which will be enforced as they are for all activities. These protocols ensure the safety of our campus community members and the smooth operation of events, and KSU remains committed to upholding these standards.”
Both Sarah Foster, the campus director for KSU Hillel and Rabbi Charytan mentioned that the KSU administration has been supportive. “Thankfully there have been no incidents to date,” said Foster. “The KSU police have been very helpful, even when events come up at the last minute,” she stressed. Foster mentioned that even for a large urban campus, the anti-Israel protests have been low-key compared to what many college campuses around the country are experiencing.
Rachel Adams, busy at the Hillel table, is the vice president of the Tzedek social action committee. She stressed, “We decided to stay strong even when we heard the group protesting would be next to us. We reserved this space and will not let them scare us away.”
And strong, confident, and calm they stood. Even as the chanting and screams became louder, the Hillel and Chabad groups maintained their composure. Interacting with students from many backgrounds and religions, they likely made a difference that day, making new allies and friends in the process and educating other students. In the middle of the afternoon, a young man ran into the Hillel area shouting, “Go Israel.” One of the adults stated, “Wow, we need that level of enthusiasm.” Interestingly, the young man was not Jewish but explained he had stopped by to show his support for Israel and the Jewish students’ efforts.
A global moment of silence was held in the middle of the event to commemorate the lives lost in Israel one year ago, on Oct. 7. In reflecting on that day, Avi Lyons, the Springboard Fellow at Hillel, told several students, “We are out here because one year ago today more than 1,200 people were murdered in their homes and at a music festival. We are here to reverently commemorate lives lost. “
So, despite anti-Israel chants nearby and the preparations that had been made for potential security risks, the students, as well as Chabad and Hillel leadership, were able to appropriately and safely commemorate the day, acknowledging the senseless killing of other Jews one year ago as they danced, slept and prepared to start a new day. And that’s quite an accomplishment for a group of young adults destined to be the Jewish community’s future leaders.
Hillel at KSU offers several leadership development programs, ongoing community outreach, learning sessions, socials, Shabbat meals and experiences, as well as holiday observances and meals. Chabad of Kennesaw offers educational programs, socials, holiday and Shabbat meals and services, celebrations and Israel programs.
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