Every Day Since: Jewish Agency Israel Fellow Finds Purpose Amid Tragedy
Eyal, who was born and raised in Tel Aviv, always knew he wanted to make an impact abroad. He spent time traveling through South America, studying Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), and working with students from all over the world through Masa, an immersive international experience in Israel for Jewish young adults. When Eyal moved to the United States in the summer of 2023 to become a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow, he took another step forward in his desire to connect with the Jewish community outside of Israel and share his love for his country.
But on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists murdered nearly 1,200 people in Israel and abducted 251 others, that plan took a harrowing turn.
“Campus changed drastically after 10/7,” Eyal said. It had only been a week since classes started, and students had attended welcome events like Sushi in the Sukkah. That newfound sense of building campus community evaporated in the wake of the brutal attack, as many Jewish students on Eyal’s campus suddenly felt unsafe.
For Eyal, the trauma was also deeply personal—his longtime friend, Ilan Moshe-Yaakov, was killed during the Nova Music Festival massacre.
“I found out three days later that Ilan had been killed at Nova. It was impossible to process, so I threw myself into the work of supporting the students on campus,” Eyal said.
Ilan’s death shook Eyal, but the emotional toll didn’t end there. Almost immediately, he found himself grappling with a wave of anti-Israel and antisemitic hostility on his campus. The university environment, which he had anticipated would be challenging yet intellectually stimulating, quickly became toxic for Jewish students.
“It’s different than what I expected,” Eyal admitted. “I knew campus life would be political and that not everyone would agree with me, but I didn’t anticipate the hatred that exploded after October 7.”
Eyal recounted stories of students on his campus facing harassment for being Jewish.
“One student was told by her suitemates that, because she was a Zionist, she couldn’t live with them anymore,” he said. Another student, wearing a Magen David, was told, “F [sic] you, we will kill all the Jews.” Yet another student received multiple anonymous and hate-filled calls. And a Jewish student was spit on during a tabling event for Hillel.
“It’s bad, but it’s not the majority of students,” Eyal added. “The students who are anti-Israel are loud, and they make the campus feel unsafe. When you see thousands of people chanting ‘intifada,’ it’s impossible not to feel the hostility. These people aren’t interested in dialogue.”
Despite the antagonistic climate, Eyal remains inspired by the strength and unity of the Jewish community on campus. He’s especially proud of his students, who have stood their ground in the face of adversity.
“What’s kept me hopeful are my students,” Eyal said. “They’ve been incredible. Their initiative, their support for one another, and their determination to stand strong inspire me every single day.”
In fact, the students have come together like never before, creating a network of support that has helped them endure challenges and harassment.
“They’re doing a great job, and I’m so proud of them,” Eyal said. “We’re planning a series of events to commemorate October 7. It’s about remembering the difficult moments, but it’s also about lifting people up and reminding them that hope is how we move forward.”
One of the events Eyal is helping organize is a vigil on campus, followed by a group trip to the local JCC for a community commemoration. The students will share their experiences from campus and remember the victims of October 7, including Carmel Gat, in whose honor they’ll hold yoga practices the following day.
“We’re also tabling, handing out cards with the stories of those lost. It’s important to bring a human face to what’s happening, to remind people that these are not just numbers—they are lives, families, and communities torn apart,” he said.
Through all the tragedy and the tough conversations, Eyal’s decision to remain in the United States this past year wasn’t a given. Many of his friends back home have been called into miluim, Israel’s reserve duty, and the choice to stay or return right after October 7 was something he grappled with.
“It was a very tough decision,” Eyal said. “Part of me feels like I should be there, but I know that being here, working with these students, is also important, and I will return to Israel when I’m needed there.”
Every Day Since is a series of original stories about the impact of October 7 on Jewish students and professionals on campus.