Resisting the Academic Intifada
By Gil Troy, published in Aish.com.
Gil Troy’s new book, “To Resist the Academic Intifada: Letters to My Students on Defending the Zionist Dream” gives readers hope for a brighter future ahead.
Since October 7, college campuses throughout the country have been rife with antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Jewish students have at the very least felt alienated at school, while some have actively experienced hate and are now leaving or suing their universities due to the discrimination.
In his new book, “To Resist the Academic Intifada: Letters to My Students on Defending the Zionist Dream,” Professor and Author Gil Troy, who teaches at McGill University and has written for the New York Times and The New Republic, advises his students on how to deal with the despair. He is hopeful about restoring the American dream, true liberalism, and Zionism, and ensuring that the Jewish people have a brighter future ahead in America and abroad.
That optimism is apparent from the first few pages of the book, where Gil writes, “We can focus on those who have tried hijacking the university, making it increasingly hostile to free thought, critical debate, and yes, Americanism, liberalism, and Zionism. Or we can cheer that, finally, there are professors, donors, politicians, intellectuals, celebrities, and most important, you, my students, who are stirring, fighting back, resisting.”
His book talks about ways to address the hate and in an exclusive interview with Aish.com he shared some key strategies as well.
Emphasize Jewish Pride and Education
Gil argues that the Jewish community’s approach is too defensive.
“Most important is ‘Pilates,’ strengthening our core and knowing who we are,” he said.
This can be accomplished with education.
“I grew up in a world where most of the Jews I knew chose the God of Abraham Lincoln over the God of Abraham and Sarah — they were balancing being good Jews and good Americans, using the biblical ideas of Lincoln, Jefferson and others to paper over any contradictions, while sacrificing a deep sense of devotion and spirituality to fit in and get ahead,” said Gil.
What happened as a result is that the children of Baby Boomers weren’t properly educated on Judaism and Zionism.
“If I believed that we had done a great job of explaining Judaism and Zionism to the next generation, and they were nevertheless turning away, I’d say, ‘Maybe the product is flawed,’” he said. “But we haven’t exposed enough young people (and their parents) to the grandeur and depth and meaning of Judaism and Zionism.”
The Oct. 7 attacks gave the Jewish community the opportunity to reframe and “tell this amazing story of a people who are still guided by the same values, ideals, and beliefs after 4000 years,” according to Gil. “It’s still rooted in the same land, but now, after thousands of years of exile and oppression have returned, rebuilt it, and are being rebuilt by it, wherever they live. How can we not be proud?”
Highlight the Bigger Issues
We need to zoom out and not just focus on antisemitism in order to get our message across.
“Jew-hatred is the Jew haters’ problem – I wouldn’t trade souls with them,” said Gil. “So, let’s frame this as a broader American, Western, and civil rights challenge against all forms of bigotry, without blocking Jews at the intersection, so to speak.”
Take Back the Meaning of Zionism
The haters have turned “Zionism” into a dirty word. Gil argues that it’s time to take it back. “We need to sing a new song of Zion,” he said. “I call my kind of Zionism ‘Identity Zionism’ because it’s not just about defending Israel and Zionism but understanding that Zionism gives us a sense of roots, pride in the past, and a series of old-new values. It gives us a framework for contributing to the world in the present by building and being rebuilt in Israel, and it gives us hope for the future.”
Amplify Our Supporters
We need to stop spending so much time fixating on the people who don’t like us and reinforce those who do.
“Let’s start inviting, inspiring, and challenging the Silenced Majority to support us more vocally,” Gil said. “Even after all this negative media coverage, 62 percent of Americans support Israel. We need to build on that. Let’s speak to those people, frame this as a fight for justice and for Western civilization, stop being apologetic, and stop letting the extremists run the conversation and define us.”
Looking to the Future
Though the past 14 months have been bleak, Gil is positive that things will turn around. He’s already seen it, and believes it will continue thanks to the efforts of young people.
“Many synagogues in America now are experiencing a surge,” he said. “I have seen such impressive activists at Columbia, Baruch, Tufts and other campuses I visited. And I have seen the heroic young generation of Israeli soldiers turn the situation around, from the horrors of October 7 and the fears of Hezbollah until mid-September to today, when we have shown that our enemies are not only evil, but weak and now defeated.”
He continued, “This generation, worldwide, is going to fight back, rebuild, and help us fulfill our Zionist dreams.”
More About The Author
Kylie Ora Lobell is a Los Angeles-based writer as well as president of KOL Digital Marketing, where she does publicity and marketing and helps clients share their unique stories with the world.