“Never let hatred define you – be proud of who you are”
Amid Rising campus antisemitism, 98-year-old Holocaust survivor sends message to Jewish students worldwide
In a world grappling with rising antisemitism, an 98-year-old Holocaust survivor and educator, Nate Leipciger, has reached out to Jewish students globally with a powerful message. The International March of the Living, an organization uniting Jewish groups and student organizations, has distributed Leipciger's personal letter and video message to over 100,000 Jewish students as they return to school for the new academic year.
The initiative urges young Jews to take pride in their identity, resist antisemitism, and maintain their connection to Israel.
Born in 1924, Leipciger was just 15 when the Nazis deported him and his family to Auschwitz-Birkenau. He and his father survived the horrors of Auschwitz, the death march, and various concentration camps. With a commitment to preserving Holocaust memory, Leipciger has been sharing his testimony with younger generations for nearly three decades through the International March of the Living.
In his handwritten letter, Leipciger emphasizes that students should not bear the blame for hatred directed at them. He clearly states that one does not need to hide their identity to be accepted and that those who harbor hatred must not have the power to define a person's entire existence. Leipciger urges students not to allow anyone to force them into a false dichotomy between their Jewish identity and their place in the wider world.
He warns against denying Jewish history, disowning the Jewish people, or surrendering their connection to Israel.
Leipciger differentiates between legitimate criticism of any government, including Israel's, and discrimination against Jewish students. His appeal comes amid a surge in antisemitism on campuses, leading to harassment, exclusion, and hostility towards Jewish students. In the letter, Leipciger highlights the importance of finding one another, supporting classmates who feel afraid or isolated, and carrying the future of Jewish life without apology, with compassion and strength.
The letter was distributed on September 1, the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, as Jewish students continue to face increased antisemitism. The International March of the Living, led by multiple Jewish organizations and student groups, remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate pride, unity, and resilience among Jewish students worldwide.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
