Throughout the year, we brought a range of speakers to campus, including the notable figure known as the Son of Hamas. These events were aimed at educating and sparking meaningful dialogue among students on various aspects of identity, politics, and peace. Unfortunately, one of these speakers, Ran Bar Yoshafat, also resulted in a campus riot where three students were physically assaulted.

In addition to the establishment of encampments, there have been several incidents of physical violence. For instance, one student was punched, and another was followed and physically attacked. These incidents have created an environment of fear and uncertainty on campus, which is deeply concerning.

Lastly, our commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley was significantly disrupted by pro-Palestine protesters who, despite clear requests from the university for silence, continued chanting throughout the event. We were previously informed that disruptive students would be escorted out; however, this policy was not enforced during the ceremony. This unfortunate series of events marred what should have been a celebratory and memorable day for us, leaving a lasting impact on my family and me.

Jewish students at UC Berkeley have been compelled to create their own support networks due to college administrators' clear failure to address our safety needs effectively. As President of Bears for Israel and a campus leader, I have personally committed to assisting students who face such challenges by guiding them to appropriate resources and supportive organizations.

Initially, in response to the attacks on October 7th, our community organized a vigil to mourn the victims and stand together in solidarity. After months of intense hostility, students organized a Jewish Unity March to promote solidarity and resilience within our community. This event, and a subsequent event shortly after, both drew participants from across the campus, united in their support for each other and in advocating for peace and understanding. 

Most recently, for over three months of our spring term, Jewish students have become increasingly frustrated by the university's lack of action and the prolonged blocking of Sather Gate by pro-Palestinian groups. Therefore, we organized a large campus and community protest. Students and community members hoped to 'liberate the gate', but since it was still blocked, we marched through the water. This demonstration was an expression of our discontent with the administration's passive stance and a call for immediate change.

Recently, the level of support from UC Berkeley's administration towards the Jewish community has not only remained inadequate but has, in many ways, worsened, aligning the university as a hostile entity towards its Jewish students.

Despite numerous meetings with administrators, including the Chancellor, there has been a noticeable gap between their assurances and actions. These administrators, while seemingly attentive, have consistently failed to take concrete measures to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment.

This lack of action was glaringly evident in the recent incidents on campus. For instance, the encampments set up around Sather Gate became zones of heightened insecurity and hostility, posing a direct threat to the safety of Jewish students. The university's response to these encampments and the chaotic environment they fostered has been tepid at best, allowing disruptive and aggressive behaviors to dominate the narrative.

Over the past year, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) has been an invaluable source of support, particularly through my involvement as a Lauder Fellow. This fellowship allowed me to spearhead an initiative to create a robust student network comprising over 30 students representing more than 20 campuses across the nation. These are not just any students; they are leaders who have made significant impacts, including appearances on national news, testimonies before Congress, and substantial contributions to real-time change in their respective universities.

One of the key achievements of this initiative was the organization of a weekend-long conference held at Stanford University, where these student leaders could connect, share strategies, and strengthen their advocacy skills. Subsequently, I played a pivotal role in facilitating their participation in testimonies in Washington, D.C., where each representative from this network had the opportunity to voice their experiences and insights—a testament to the power and reach of our collective efforts. The WJC's substantial backing was crucial to the success of this initiative, offering both financial and strategic support that enabled these significant achievements.