Standing up to anti-Jewish hate

While grappling with the horrific news of October 7 in Israel, Noah Tennenbaum was faced with his own turmoil in Chicago.

“I received several texts and messages online saying things like, ‘You’re a baby killer’ or ‘You support genocide,” the Whitney M. Young Magnet High School senior recalled. “And this all began on October 8, 2023.”

Tennenbaum recounts being ostracized from social gatherings and even was told to kill himself while at a party. “I’ve tried my best to totally ignore it,” he said. “I find that my background and the fact that I am so comfortable in my Judaism to be helpful because it’s meant that most of the stuff doesn’t faze me.

Over the past year, the JUF Voices alum and an 18 Under 18 honoree has gotten help from Springboard and the JUF Israel Education Center to create meaningful dialogue at school and effectively navigate working with the Chicago Public Schools Office of Student Protections. “We’re Jews, and what Jewish people do best is coming together through difficult times,” Tennenbaum explained.

Despite the challenges he’s faced, Tennenbaum commends the Chicago Jewish community as well as the commitment of his school’s administration to stand up for what’s right.

“I’ve gotten a lot of support not just from friends and family, but also JUF and Whitney Young,” he said. “Everyone has been making an effort.”

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In 2024, you made it possible to–

-Train 5,000 parents and hundreds of administrators and faculty to fight antisemitism in local schools.

-Empower 1,000 young people as advocates to fight anti-Jewish hate. 

-Offer expert security services to 225 Chicago area Jewish schools, synagogues, JCCs, Hillels, camps, and agencies.

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“Thank you to JUF for your support and for making the security assessment at Camp Ramah happen. The [security team] was thoughtful, with good insights and suggestions. Let’s pray that all our campers and staff have a successful summer filled with ruach and joyful Judaism, deepen their connection to Israel, and our community, and have a safe summer without incident.”

~Marc Sacks, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin Board President

“The right thing happened in our city [today]. An antisemitic, misogynistic, conspiracy-theorist will NOT head the Board of Education for Chicago Public Schools. We are proud of the way our community supported JUF’s efforts to ensure this outcome-one that is significant not just for the Jewish community but for all CPS students, teachers, staff, and families.”

~Jane Charney, JUF Associate Vice President of Local Government Affairs

“The Jewish community knows how to rally and knows how to stick together…we have found out [in recent years] who are friends are-and who are friends aren’t. We’ve found our strength again and our unity again.”

~Noa Tishby, Israeli author, activist, and advocate speaking at JUF Women’s Philanthropy Lion Event in September