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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

“Never let hatred define you – be proud of who you are”

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Official statement New plan
  • Holocaust survivor and educator Nate Leipciger is sending a message to Jewish students worldwide as they return to campus amid reported rising antisemitism.
  • The International March of the Living and partner Jewish organizations will distribute his letter and video urging students to embrace their identity, support one another and oppose antisemitism.
  • Leipciger’s message distinguishes criticism of governments, including Israel’s, from discrimination against Jewish students.

At 98, Holocaust survivor Nate Leipciger is addressing Jewish students as they return to campuses around the world. His letter and video message urge them not to hide their identity in response to antisemitism.

The International March of the Living is leading the initiative with Jewish organizations and student groups, including the World Union of Jewish Students, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the World Zionist Organization, IAC and Students Supporting Israel. They will distribute the message to hundreds of thousands of students.

Please remember: You are not responsible for the hatred directed at you. You do not have to conceal who you are to earn the right to belong. Never permit those who hate you to define you.

— Nate LeipcigerThe Holocaust survivor urged Jewish students not to hide their identity because of antisemitism.

The letter is being sent on September 1, the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. Leipciger was 15 when the Nazis deported him and his family from a ghetto to Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was separated from his mother and sister, whom he never saw again. He and his father survived Auschwitz, a death march and several other concentration camps.

Be courageous, but do not stand alone. Find one another. Support the classmate who is afraid or isolated.

— Nate LeipcigerHe called on students to support peers facing fear or isolation.

“Please remember: You are not responsible for the hatred directed at you. You do not have to conceal who you are to earn the right to belong. Never permit those who hate you to define you,” Leipciger wrote. He also called on students to support classmates who feel afraid or isolated and to carry Jewish life forward “without apology, with compassion and strength.”

The initiative comes amid reports of harassment, exclusion and hostility toward Jewish students and students connected to Israel since October 7. Leipciger’s message says criticism of any government, including Israel’s, should be distinguished from discrimination against Jewish people. It also follows the removal of mezuzahs from apartments belonging to elderly Jewish residents, including Holocaust survivors, in the Toronto building where he lives.

The future of Jewish life is passing into your hands. Carry it without apology, with compassion and strength.

— Nate LeipcigerHe encouraged students to take responsibility for the future of Jewish life.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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