Bringing Israel to CU Boulder

As antisemitism surges on college campuses across North America, The Jewish Agency for Israel recently announced this fall semester’s 20% expansion of its corps of Shlichim (emissaries) who are known as the Jewish Agency Campus Israel Fellows — young Israeli adults who maintain an authentic Israeli presence at these schools by enabling students to learn about, engage with, and support Israel.

University of Colorado (CU) Boulder will be among the 15 campuses receiving an Israel Fellow. As a board member of the Jewish Agency for Israel – North American Council (JAFINA), a Jewish community member in Boulder, and a CU alum, it has been nothing less than inspiring to see so many community members stand up to make this new position a reality. My excitement is made even greater by my personal knowledge of the incredible Hillel team at Boulder with whom the Israel Fellow will have the privilege of working with.

Our request of this community, in a nutshell, has been as follows: CU students need the emotional, physical, and financial support that enables them to stand courageously and unwaveringly with Israel at this time when the Swords of Iron War is triggering increased antisemitism, and the best way to do so is to bring an Israeli emissary to their campus.

But why?

First, given the Israel Fellows program’s partnership with Hillel International, having an authentic presence from Israel at CU Boulder Hillel will serve to build bridges between students and the Israeli people. Jewish and non-Jewish students alike are thirsting for more information not only about the war in Israel but also about Israeli society in general. The Jewish Agency Israel Fellows powerfully build these bridges by humanizing Israel, in a way that has nothing to do with politics. A Campus Israel Fellow is, above all else, a regular person. A person who enjoys music, food, family, and friends, and practices Jewish rituals. Students meet someone who brings a human perspective as the face of Israel on their campus. It’s an emotional experience — a relationship with an Israeli, rooted in interpersonal connection.

Second, an Israel Fellow will be a community-building force in Boulder. The emissary will collaborate with JEWISHcolorado and The Jewish Agency’s existing young emissaries (Shin-Shinim) in the community to spread Israel education and cultivate closeness with the Israeli people. Prospective applicants to CU Boulder will know that there is an Israel Fellow in place to organize Israel-centric programming and help them confront antisemitism when necessary.

Third, when it comes to antisemitism and anti-Zionism, the Israel Fellow will serve a campus that has experienced its fair share of disturbances since October 7 — from CU’s Ethnic Studies and Women and Gender Studies departments accusing Israel of “genocide” and “apartheid,” to a Jewish student receiving a death threat on social media after he created a page to support the Jewish community, to challenges with some programs holding exams during Jewish holidays, to the massive graffiti incident just this last weekend. Although CU does not have a reputation as one of the country’s most intense hotbeds for campus antisemitism and anti-Israel activity, including last spring’s wave of tent encampment protests that resulted in canceled commencement ceremonies and disrupted access to class, the campus is hardly immune to the scourge plaguing all too many schools. The Jewish fraternity, AEPi, has a visible presence on Broadway and in this small community, any student can ride a scooter or walk into town and consequently, they are susceptible to encountering antisemitism at restaurants and other public venues. 

An Israel Fellow will step in to provide support for Jewish and pro-Israel students in the form of education, knowledge, and guidance. When students experience antisemitism, they often do not know how to respond, and they even internalize the hateful sentiments directed their way. An Israel Fellow is well-versed in dealing with these situations, providing students with a crucial resource at Hillel — someone they can speak to and strategize with when it comes to formulating an effective response to antisemitic incidents. For instance, what does a student do when a professor promotes anti-Israel views in the classroom? An Israel Fellow could offer talking points, and a tangible roadmap for productive action that moves the conversation forward.

Ultimately, the Israel Fellow’s job is to challenge attitudes toward Israel, substituting education for ignorance, while giving students a chance to develop a personal relationship with Israelis and to learn what Israel is really all about. Join me in helping CU Boulder students access this indispensable resource at a time when they need it the most.

Of course, this cannot happen without a strong community willing to support it, and I want to thank the generous individuals who made this investment in our community and in our nation’s future leaders. If you would like to join us in supporting the CU Boulder Israel Fellow’s work, please click here.

Jackie Sprinces Wong is a board member of the Jewish Agency for Israel – North American Council (JAFINA). Learn more about the Israel Fellows by contacting her at wecancook@gmail.com, or donate to the program at: https://www.jafina.org/help-counter-antisemitism/