My Jewish identity isn’t just something I talk about — it’s who I am. It's a part of my family's survival story: surviving the Holocaust, escaping Soviet oppression, and rebuilding a life in America with nothing but determination and faith. My grandparents lived through brutality that many today only read about. Their stories taught me early on that freedom is fragile — and that you have to fight to protect it.
Now, as I prepare for college, I see antisemitism rising again in places that are supposed to be centers of learning and acceptance. According to the Anti-Defamation League, 2023 saw over 8,800 antisemitic incidents in the U.S.—the highest ever recorded—with a 321% increase on college campuses alone. These numbers reflect more than just statistics; they represent real students who face harassment, threats, and even violence simply for being Jewish.
This reality has shaped my political views and made me appreciate leaders who don’t just talk about protecting minorities — they actually do it. That’s why I support President Trump.
President Trump’s actions against antisemitism are real, not symbolic. Under his direct leadership, his administration made it clear that colleges and universities would lose federal funding if they allowed antisemitism to flourish. In fact, in March 2025, Columbia University lost $400 million in federal grants for failing to protect Jewish students—sending a powerful message that silence has consequences.
Schools had a choice: take meaningful steps to protect Jewish students or face serious penalties. For instance, institutions that implemented robust anti-hate policies were explicitly warned that inaction would lead to a loss of federal support, ensuring that Jewish students could attend campus without fear.
In his first term, Trump strengthened protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. For the first time, antisemitism was formally recognized as a violation of civil rights on college campuses, thanks to Executive Order 13899. Previously, universities could overlook antisemitic harassment, but now they can be held legally accountable.
Beyond the campus, Trump’s Department of Justice established a task force dedicated to fighting antisemitic hate crimes. Working closely with law enforcement and community groups, this task force helped increase prosecutions and investigations of antisemitic incidents. In 2025, the DOJ even empowered the task force to investigate 10 universities and revoke visas of foreign students involved in campus hate. That’s not just leadership—it’s action.
When it comes to immigration, Trump is taking a tough but fair stand. He made it clear that foreigners on student visas who participate in antisemitic hate could be deported. The Democrats label this approach as harsh, but I call it common sense. If you come to this country to spread hate and division, you don’t belong here. The United States should welcome people who respect its values — not those who seek to destroy them.
One of the clearest moments of Trump’s support for Jewish people came during his first term, when he moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. For decades, many U.S. lawmakers and political leaders had promised to make this move, but Trump followed through. This decision went beyond mere symbolism; it demonstrated that the U.S. stands firmly with Israel and the Jewish people at a time when anti-Israel sentiment was growing.
Furthermore, Trump isn't afraid to call out how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs twist history. Too often, Jews are labeled as “privileged oppressors,” an oversimplification that ignores centuries of suffering, exile, and genocide. DEI initiatives that pit groups against each other based on race or identity frequently erase the complexities of Jewish history.
This isn't just harmful to Jewish students — it's harmful to all students. When identity politics divide people into victims and villains, nuance is lost, and real unity becomes impossible. Thanks to Trump, even top universities like MIT have started eliminating mandatory DEI statements in hiring, acknowledging they function as ideological tests that silence differing views.
The Democrats today try to call Trump’s actions extreme. However, if you’re a Jewish student aware of what’s happening — from violent protests on Ivy League campuses to overt antisemitism misrepresented as activism — you understand that strong action is not extreme. It is necessary. Safety, dignity, and truth shouldn’t be negotiable; they must be protected, and Trump understands that.
I want to go to college proud of who I am, unafraid to wear a Star of David or speak up for Israel. I envision a future where Jewish students are defended, not dismissed, and I want leaders who take tangible steps to make that happen — not just offer empty words after another tragedy.
President Trump’s policies aren’t perfect — no leader is — but when it comes to fighting antisemitism, he shows real courage. He has proven that standing up for Jewish students transcends politics; it is about protecting basic human rights.
As I take my next steps toward adulthood, I know which kind of leadership I can trust — one that acts rather than merely talks. And that's exactly the kind of leadership President Trump delivers.
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