“Today, Jewish college students embody the essence of Jewish peoplehood: resilience. We are no longer the ‘future generation of leaders’; we are the present ones. We are today’s leading scholars and activists, and we are proudly carrying the torch of our ancestors. Even though there is much more work to do, with the support of your Federation, we are writing the next chapter of the Jewish story and the story of Los Angeles.“
-Brandon Tavakoli
Jewish student leader at USC and CIN Fellow
Pictured above, center row, second from right: Brandon attends our Campus Impact Network’s inaugural Empowering Students: Israel Leadership Forum in partnership with USC Hillel, Hillel at UCLA, and Hillel 818. Over 100 students from 10 Southern California campuses joined us for two days of intensive training around Israel and antisemitism.
My name is Brandon Tavakoli, and I am a senior at the University of Southern California studying Business Administration. As a lifelong Angeleno and the proud son of Persian Jews, I am deeply grateful for the leadership of Jewish Federation Los Angeles.
Four years ago, Undergraduate Student Body Vice President Rose Ritch was pressured to resign from Student Government simply because she was Jewish. USC rightfully established an antisemitism task force and had made significant progress in ensuring Jewish students were welcomed members of the Trojan Family. However, USC was not immune to the unprecedented wave of antisemitism that overtook college campuses nationwide this year. Last semester, the Student Government once again targeted another Senator simply for being Jewish. I am that Senator.
One week after the October 7th massacre, protesters stormed our Senate meeting — not seeking to discuss my initiatives — but rather to demand my removal and impeachment. Protesters shouted: “It’s clear that Senator Tavakoli only represents Jewish students. His Jewish identity is a conflict of interest. So, remove him now, or we will impeach him ourselves.”
This incident provides only a glimpse into the isolation, intimidation, and antisemitism Jewish students like myself are experiencing across the country. Our universities have failed to speak with moral clarity. Let us be clear now: Holding Jewish students responsible for what happens in Israel is antisemitism. Denying our right to express our Zionism as an inextricable part of our Jewish identity is also antisemitism.
This year has shown that our expectations as Jewish students are impossibly contradictory. We must advocate fiercely for the Jewish people and Israel, yet remain cautious and strategic to maintain credibility with the extended campus community. Navigating these expectations is challenging. But, with JFEDLA’s mentorship, we are meeting this moment.
JFEDLA’s Campus Impact Network is equipping students with the tools to be successful in the face of all the “contradictions.” In January, JFEDLA hosted the Empowering Students Israel Leadership Forum, which convened college students across Southern California to learn from leading scholars, activists, and elected decision-makers about the new frontier of Israel advocacy. At this forum, I had the rare opportunity to tell my story to Superintendent Tony Thurmond, head of California’s Department of Education, weeks after the calls for my impeachment.
The lifeblood of every thriving Jewish community is our Jewish students. Recognizing this truth, JFEDLA empowers Jewish students to harness our voices to speak out against antisemitism, take bold action to protect our campuses, and share the joys of our Jewish heritage.
Since October 7th we have organized vigils, held pro-Israel rallies, created exhibitions for our hostages, and lobbied congressional offices. Under my leadership, Trojans for Israel hosted Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Assemblymember Laura Friedman for Shabbat dinners at USC Hillel. We had intimate conversations with USC President Dr. Carol Folt to address our concerns, including the violent encampments on campus that created a hostile and unsafe environment for Jewish students. We shared our experiences with composure and integrity, which helped lead to the removal of the encampments days after our meeting.
Today, Jewish college students embody the essence of Jewish peoplehood: resilience. We are no longer the ”future generation of leaders”; we are the present ones. We are today’s scholars and activists, and we proudly carry the torch of our ancestors. Even though there is much more work to do, with JFEDLA’s support, Jewish students are writing the next chapter of the Jewish story and the story of Los Angeles.
