By Wendy Lusk
There was a time, not long ago, when Jewish people beamed with pride upon being affiliated with an Ivy League University.
To say times have changed is an understatement. After October 7, 2023, Jew-hatred became acceptable and even sanctioned by University administration, leaders, and students.
Of the many individuals who are standing up to this Antisemitic wave, a young man named Shabbos Kestenbaum is one who continues to make a difference.
His name is as memorable as his message, and this past November, he was the keynote speaker at the Benjamin and Lillian Rochkind Yeshiva of Virginia and Shaarei Torah of Richmond event held at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
Shabbos Kestenbaum is the lead plaintiff in the case: ALEXANDER KESTENBAUM and STUDENTS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM, INC., (Plaintiffs) v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE, (Defendant). He has testified multiple times in the U.S. Congress on the issue of Antisemitism, and lectures internationally on Jewish communal issues.
At the recent Richmond event, he discussed the depressing accounts of Antisemitic faculty, Antisemitic class curricula, Antisemitic school policies, and the fact that Jewish students are forced to walk to and from classes, daily, through angry mobs spewing Jew hatred.
Josh Peck, one of the attendees and sponsors of the event, shared his thoughts. “I am appalled by the rise of Antisemitism around the world, and especially on United States college campuses. As a father of teenagers, I know there’s a lot more that I should be doing to prepare my daughters for life after high school. When I was asked to help bring a speaker to town to talk about Jewish education, I was honored to participate.”
He continued, “Once Shabbos Kestenbaum, a young graduate student who sued Harvard, was chosen, I felt that many of my friends and family in the community would want to hear how one Jew stood up against a powerful institution with a multi-billion-dollar endowment. I was heartened to see so many members of the community in attendance.”
“Mr. Kestenbaum reinforced how Jewish education is absolutely essential for our children.”
Peck adds, “He mentioned that many of the virulent protesters identified as Jews. And that unless we provide our children with a Jewish education: yeshiva/Jewish summer camps/visiting Israel/taking part in Jewish youth groups, we can expect more of a division.”
Years ago, the beloved Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt’l, Former Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, eloquently summed it up. “The very success of the Jewish people, surviving and thriving through all circumstances, some good, and some not so good, was due to the fact that we put education as the first of our priorities. The Mesopotamians built ziggurats. The Egyptians built pyramids. The Greeks built the Parthenon. The Romans built the Colosseum. Jews built schools. That’s why we’re still here, still strong, and still young while all those superpowers in their day have been consigned to history.”
So, what can we do here in RVA?
If Jewish education is the antidote to Antisemitism, then it goes without saying, we need to support our Jewish schools.
The Benjamin and Lillian Rochkind Yeshiva of Virginia, educating and inspiring our high school students since 1994, is committed to teaching students on the highest levels of academic challenge and sharing the beauty of our Torah way.
Open to all Jewish high school boys (and girls in the Shaarei Torah division), regardless of background, these local institutions offer our future leaders a passion for G-d’s Torah and its guiding way, and the critical tools our young adults need in the cultural struggles of our nation.
Our Jewish young adults are made to understand that they have personal responsibilities, are a part of this important time in history and that, as Rabbi Berel Wein has said many times, “…there are no extra Jews in the world.”
Everyone can make a difference in the lives of Jewish young people, and subsequently, our community as a whole. Our high school students are tomorrow’s leaders. One need not have a current student or family member in these schools to make an impact.
Every Jewish person in our Richmond community matters and can help. One specific, easy, and compelling opportunity exists in the form of the VA 65% NAP tax credit program, which is when an individual or business receives 65% of his or her donation back.
For example, if one donates $1000 to Jewish education, $650 goes right back to that donor. It’s a win-win, for the giver and for the recipient.
But who wins the most? Our strong, well-educated, well-informed community. Together we can stand up to Antisemitism and we will succeed. For more information about the tax credit program, please contact office@ yeshivaofvirginia.org or call 804.288.7610.
The event was generously sponsored by: Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Epstein, Mr. Joshua Peck, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Roth, Mr. and Mrs. Avery Lynn/Designer Deliveries, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Cantor.
