Modern Maccabees: Students stand up to campus antisemitism

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Modern Maccabees: Students stand up to campus antisemitism
Caption: Chanukah candles. Credit: Ri_Ya/Pixabay.

By Rabbi Mark Rose, JNS

Each night of Chanukah, let us dedicate the flame to a student who has chosen courage over fear, pride over shame and light over darkness.

As the lights of the menorah begin to glow on the eight nights of Chanukah, we are reminded of an age-old story of courage, conviction and faith. The Maccabees, a small group of Jewish warriors, stood up to the Greek forces to protect their faith, their traditions and their identity. They fought for the survival of the Jewish people during a dark time of persecution and assimilation. Today, that story is not just history; it is a call to action.

Modern Maccabees walk among us. They are the Jewish middle- and high school students in public schools across the country who, every day, stand strong in the face of antisemitism, ignorance and bullying. They may not carry swords or shields, but they bear an unshakable spirit. They carry their Jewish identity as a beacon of light in their classrooms, cafeterias and school hallways.

In the Southern region of NCSY, where I have the privilege of working with hundreds of teens, I see these brave students up close. They face antisemitism not just as an abstract concept or something they read about in history books, but as a very real and personal experience. For many Jewish teens, public school has become an unexpected battlefield. Whether they come in the form of hateful slurs, graffiti, vandalism, Holocaust denial or targeted bullying, our students are confronted with challenges that feel far too familiar in Jewish history.

To call this “bullying” might, at first glance, seem to trivialize it. But make no mistake—antisemitism is a form of bullying. It manifests through intimidation, ignorance and sometimes outright hostility, with the intention of marginalizing or silencing Jewish students. Whether it’s a swastika scrawled in a school bathroom, a cruel joke shared on social media or Jewish teens being blamed for events in Israel that are far beyond their control, these acts of hate sow fear and division.

And yet, in the face of this darkness, our students rise.

They are Maccabees—not just during Chanukah but every day of the year. They show up to school carrying their light. They participate in Jewish Student Union (JSU) clubs, where they gather with their peers to strengthen their Jewish identity, celebrate their heritage and learn about Jewish values. These clubs are sanctuaries of empowerment, allowing students to connect, learn and find the strength to be proudly and openly Jewish in environments that can feel isolating or even hostile.

The very act of participating in a JSU club is itself an act of bravery. It is a declaration of pride, community and resilience.

It says to the world, “I will not hide who I am. I will not be silenced. I will shine my light brightly.” That light—much like the candles of the menorah—dispels the darkness. It transforms school campuses into places where students can stand tall, secure in their faith and identity.

Chanukah is a celebration of miracles, but it is also a celebration of courage. The Maccabees did not wait for a miracle to save them; they acted. Our students today, in their own way, follow that same path. When they choose to stand up to bullying, to call out antisemitism, to educate others in their classrooms and to wear their Jewish identity with pride, they are making the same brave choice.

These kids should be celebrated not just on Chanukah but year-round.

Each night of Chanukah, as we light the menorah, let us think of these modern Maccabees. Let us dedicate each flame to a student who has chosen courage over fear, pride over shame and light over darkness. These are students who refuse to let antisemitism dictate their school experience. They are the leaders, the educators and the protectors of their own communities.

The first candle can be dedicated to the student who proudly wears a Star of David necklace, despite being mocked for it. The second candle can shine for the teen who leads a JSU club, creating a safe space for Jewish students to gather. The third candle burns for the student who responds to ignorance with education, calmly explaining the truth about Jewish traditions or history when faced with misinformation.

The fourth candle is for the student who reported a swastika to the school administration, refusing to let hate go unchallenged. The fifth is for the teen who organized a Chanukah celebration in their school, sharing the joy of Jewish tradition with their peers. The sixth flame honors the student who comforts a friend experiencing antisemitism, reminding them they are not alone. The seventh light shines for the teen who advocates for better education about antisemitism in their school.

And the eighth candle—perhaps the brightest of all—is for the collective resilience of Jewish teens everywhere. It is for their unbreakable spirit and their refusal to be diminished by those who seek to cast them aside.

Being a Maccabee in today’s world is not easy. It requires strength, faith and resolve. But every time a Jewish student chooses to stand up, to speak out or simply to be themselves, they are making a profound difference. They are not only standing up for themselves; they are standing up for their community and for generations of Jews who came before them.

As adults, parents, educators and community members, it is our role to uplift these students. We must celebrate, support and remind them of the deep significance of their actions. Their courage is not just for themselves. It is for all of us.


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