An alumna of Barnard College, a constituent college of Columbia University, is expressing concern over the recent anti-Israel protests and unrest at Columbia University. Daniella Greenbaum Davis, a Jewish-American writer and Emmy-winning producer, recalls a tense atmosphere during her time at Barnard, where she heard chants of 'intifada' and calls for violence on campus. She notes that the current demonstrations have escalated to a new extreme.
Davis, a third-generation Holocaust survivor, recently shared her family's tragic history, highlighting the impact of intergenerational trauma on Jewish identity. She expressed reservations about the safety of Jewish students at Columbia, citing the need for increased security measures during upcoming events and services, including police presence at the Kraft Center, a Jewish cultural hub shared by Columbia and Barnard College.
Concerns about safety have led to the implementation of walking escorts for students traveling to and from the center. Davis emphasized the distressing reality of needing physical escorts for religious gatherings on campus, stating that such an environment is not conducive to a positive educational experience for Jewish students.
As Passover approaches, the Jewish community at Columbia is bracing for heightened security measures to ensure the safety of its members. Davis's reflections on her family's history serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of historical traumas on Jewish individuals.
