Holocaust survivor sends campus antisemitism message to Jewish students

Nate Leipciger, a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor and educator, is sending a letter and video to hundreds of thousands of Jewish students returning to campus worldwide as antisemitism rises after Oct. 7. The International March of the Living-led effort aims to encourage students to take pride in their identity, support one another and stay connected to Israel.

Why it matters: - The message lands as Jewish students face harassment, exclusion and hostility on campuses worldwide tied to their Jewish identity and connection to Israel. - The letter is meant to give students a direct source of support and a public reminder that Jewish identity should not be treated as something to hide. - The initiative also draws a line between criticism of any government, including Israel’s, and discrimination against Jewish students.

What happened: - Hundreds of thousands of Jewish students around the world will receive a personal letter and video message from Nate Leipciger as the new academic year begins. - The International March of the Living is leading the international effort. - The message is being distributed on Sept. 1, the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. - Participating organizations include the World Union of Jewish Students, The Jewish Agency for Israel, ASHER, the World Zionist Organization, IAC on Campus and Students Supporting Israel.

The details: - Leipciger is a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor and educator who has spent nearly three decades sharing his testimony with younger generations through the International March of the Living. - He was 15 when the Nazis deported him and his family from the ghetto to Auschwitz-Birkenau. - Leipciger was separated from his mother and sister, whom he never saw again. - Leipciger and his father survived Auschwitz, the death march and several other concentration camps. - In his letter, Leipciger tells students they are not responsible for hatred directed at them and do not need to conceal who they are to belong. - The letter tells students not to let others force a choice between Jewish identity and a place in the wider world. - Leipciger urges students not to let anyone demand that they deny Jewish history, disown the Jewish people or give up their connection to Israel. - He tells students to be courageous, find one another and support classmates who are afraid or isolated. - Leipciger also urges students to strengthen their knowledge of Jewish history, build alliances and stand against racism, antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. - A full open letter and video message are available here.

Between the lines: - The campaign uses Leipciger’s Holocaust history to frame campus antisemitism as part of a longer fight against hate and identity-based persecution. - Leipciger’s appearance in the initiative gives the message added weight because he is not only a survivor but also a longtime educator to young people. - The timing also follows vandalism reported in the Toronto building where Leipciger lives, where mezuzahs were torn from the doors of apartments belonging to elderly Jewish residents, including Holocaust survivors.

What's next: - Jewish organizations and student groups worldwide will continue distributing Leipciger’s message as students return to campus. - Leipciger is expected to keep supporting Holocaust memory and student outreach through the International March of the Living. - The initiative is positioned as both a warning about antisemitism and a call for stronger Jewish student solidarity.