Matisyahu Lifts Spirits of Jewish Students at Columbia University Amid Rising Antisemitism
Renowned Jewish American reggae singer and rapper Matisyahu delivered an intimate concert at Columbia University on Monday, aiming to uplift the Jewish student community in the midst of escalating antisemitism on campus. The “King Without a Crown” singer volunteered to perform for free, with the event live-streamed to students nationwide grappling with increasing hate.
In a brief interview before the concert, Matisyahu emphasized the contradictory emotions of feeling both scared and inspired during these challenging times. He spoke about the importance of being connected to the Jewish community as a source of support, describing it as both unbelievable and miraculous.
The pre-recorded special “message of support for students and community members” featured reflections from Matisyahu and Israel’s former Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism, Noa Tishby, highlighting the Jewish people’s historical resilience against prejudice, echoing Matisyahu’s personal experiences with his music career offering solace during difficult times.
The event was sponsored by Columbia University’s Israel on Campus Coalition, which aims to inspire American college students and pro-Israel college groups to take pride in Israel and stand up for it on campus. The concert took place just a week after the university launched an antisemitism task force to address the surge in reported antisemitic attacks on campus since the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.
The reported incidents included physical assaults, ideological conflicts, and the university’s systemic response. While Columbia University took measures to address the rise in antisemitism, it also activated a doxxing resource group to protect pro-Palestinian students and suspended two opposing far-left groups that violated university policies.
Matisyahu’s performance served as a beacon of hope and solidarity for the Jewish community, demonstrating the power of music and community support in combating rising hate across college campuses.
