Lauder Fellow Lior Biran's Refelctions From the Frontlines of U.S. Campuses

Over the past few weeks, I had the privilege of participating in a meaningful delegation across the United States, focused on strengthening and supporting Jewish communities during these challenging times.

Together with two fellow IDF reservists who, like me, fought and are still fighting on all fronts in the current war, we spent three weeks traveling through Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Massachusetts. Our mission was to engage in open and honest conversations about the complex realities facing Israel and the global Jewish community in the diaspora.

We shared our personal stories from the battlefields and emphasized that the students' fight on college campuses is ultimately our fight as well. When they are afraid to express pride in their Jewish identity, it weakens us in our battles too. We encouraged them to get involved — within their communities, with different organizations, and as individuals.

Along the way, we faced protests, challenging questions, warnings, and difficult encounters. Yet none of this stopped us. We stood tall, met incredible Jewish communities, and proudly shared a message of Jewish pride and resilience. We will always remain strong — both in the Land of Israel and around the world. The Jewish people have faced antisemitism, wars, and countless hardships throughout history. Time after time, we have found the strength to rebuild, to support one another, and to move forward. That spirit, the ability to stand together no matter what — is what makes being part of the global Jewish community so powerful.

This journey was profoundly educational and empowering. I had the unique opportunity to connect deeply not only with Jewish communities, but also with non-Jewish audiences such as students, professors, and various local communities across American campuses. Through honest dialogue and meaningful engagement, and together with my two close friends and brothers-in-arms, we were able to create a real and lasting impact, both on and off campus. I am deeply grateful to Olami and SSI for making this important journey possible and supporting us every step of the way.