Every Day Since: Life on Campus Since October 7
October 7, 2023 will forever be etched in my memory. That morning, I woke up next to my mom, who was visiting for Parents’ Weekend at the University of Miami, and we watched as the shocking and heart-wrenching news from Israel unfolded. That day changed the lives of Israelis and Jewish people around the world, including mine.
In the months that followed, the feelings I experienced most often were frustration and helplessness. I grappled with the question of how I could contribute meaningfully on campus during a moment that felt so fraught with tension and disagreement. I am proud of my heritage, and felt a responsibility to help combat ignorance and promote understanding about Judaism and the Jewish people, particularly as waves of misinformation and hate directed at Jewish students ripped through my campus.
I began to talk with my friends, sharing my perspective about the importance of being open to the complexities of the situation unfolding in the Middle East. I said over and over that Israel’s actions were not driven by a desire for war, but instead were a response to the horrific massacre of that October morning. By initiating conversations and creating spaces for dialogue, I hoped to build a climate of empathy and learning in my community, while prioritizing our shared humanity
Despite this desire to build bridges, I have encountered antisemitism at times, in the form of subtle comments and dismissive conversations. These interactions have left a mark on me, and caused me to question my identity and beliefs. I am still hurting from an exchange I had with a student in my dorm who refused to accept my help, simply because I displayed an Israeli flag and a mezuzah on my door. During some moments, I felt as if the entire world was against me. It’s been exhausting and isolating to be a Jewish college student.
The tensions of the last year also caused the painful fracturing of some friendships, which ended because of my Jewish identity and the differing beliefs we held. As I became more vocal about the realities facing the Jewish community, I discovered that not everyone was willing to engage in open and meaningful dialogue. In fact, some friends chose to distance themselves, leaving me to navigate this painful year alone.
But as we approach the one-year commemoration of October 7, I’m reflecting on the friends and the community who have stood by my side as I continue to speak up. I have learned to recognize true friendship when I find it, and lean on the relationships and communities that share my values and bring me joy. Throughout a year of anger and loss, the people who have been willing to sit down and talk, celebrate each other’s heritage, and prioritize empathy over ignorance are the ones who I believe will dismantle the barriers that divide us. May the coming year be one of understanding, resilience, and community.
Abigail Schcolnik is an international student at the University of Miami and serves as the co-chair of Hillel International’s student cabinet.
Every Day Since is a series of original stories about the impact of October 7 on Jewish students and professionals on campus. Read the first part in the series about Eyal, a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow who came to the United States to connect with Jewish college students, but faced unexpected challenges and antisemitism in the wake of October 7.