Hanukkah teaches us that our responsibility is not only to find the light – but to be the light, especially in moments of darkness. When hatred and antisemitism seek to intimidate, isolate, or silence Jewish and Zionist college students, the story of the Maccabees reminds us that courage is often born from ordinary people who refuse to sacrifice their identity, values, or moral clarity.
This Hanukkah, StandWithUs Campus is proud to continue our Modern Day Maccabee series, honoring students who are standing up against hate and bringing light, strength, and unity to their campus communities. These young leaders are just a few out of hundreds of students we support, empower, and uplift to stand tall, speak out, and make a difference for Israel and the Jewish people.
These students are not seeking the spotlight, but they are responding to moments that demand action – transforming fear into leadership, division into dialogue, and choosing visibility over silence.
Click the names below to learn more about these Modern Day Maccabees
Darci | Dartmouth University
Darci | Dartmouth University
When swastikas appeared outside student dorm rooms at Dartmouth, fear rippled through campus. Darci, a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow, refused to let that fear define the moment. Instead of staying silent, she wrote a powerful op-ed that amplified Jewish student experiences far beyond campus – gaining national attention, including from CNN’s Jake Tapper.
But Darci’s leadership didn’t end there. Through her work with Dartmouth Hillel and SSI, she continues to create spaces for honest conversation about antisemitism, Israel, and Jewish identity, ensuring students feel supported, informed, and empowered. Darci exemplifies what it means to take a moment of darkness and turn it into collective strength.
Riley | Butler University
Riley | Butler University
At Butler University, Riley saw how polarized conversations about Israel had become and chose a different approach. As a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow, she organized an interfaith panel bringing together Christian Zionist professionals from StandWithUs, ICC, and CUFI to shed light on their personal connections to Israel, address misconceptions, and foster understanding between communities.
Nearly half the attendees were Christian peers, creating a unique moment of genuine interfaith solidarity. Riley’s goal was simple but transformative: to show Jewish students that they are not alone, and to demonstrate that Zionism and allyship cross religious and communal lines. Her leadership is building a culture of unity grounded in shared values and mutual respect.
Maya | University of Michigan
Maya | University of Michigan
During one of the most challenging years on campus, Maya emerged as a steady, courageous leader. A StandWithUs Emerson Fellow at the University of Michigan, she’s led programs that strengthened Jewish life and Israel education – even amid hostility.
When protests erupted during an event she hosted with IDF soldiers, Maya helped develop a security plan that ensured the program continued safely; several agitators were later arrested. She also mobilized students to speak out against a BDS resolution in student government, helping lead efforts that ultimately resulted in the university president vetoing it.
And in a creative act of advocacy, Maya met students in high traffic areas by tabling late at night outside fraternity parties to educate peers about the Nova massacre while raising funds for survivors. Her leadership shows what’s possible when courage is paired with initiative, clarity, and compassion.
Yuval | Cal Poly Humboldt
Yuval | Cal Poly Humboldt
At a campus known for intense hostility toward Jewish and Zionist students, Yuval chose visibility over fear. On October 7, this StandWithUs Emerson Fellow tabled in the center of campus using powerful artwork by Israeli-Druze artist Bothaina Halabi provided by the StandWithUs Holocaust Education Center, helping students learn about and emotionally process the tragic events through art.
As an anti-Israel protest formed around the display, with demonstrators shouting antisemitic rhetoric and denying the atrocities, Yuval and his fellow leaders held their ground. They continued to engage in meaningful conversations, answer questions, and create space for human connection. More than 100 students stopped to reflect and learn about October 7 that day.
Even without any intervention from university leadership to protect Jewish students, Yuval ensured Jewish voices were seen and heard. His perseverance turned a moment of intimidation into resilience and strength.
Justice | McGill University
Justice | McGill University
Justice, a StandWithUs Christian Emerson Fellow at McGill, is redefining what allyship looks like. Through visible tabling, relationship-building, social media content, and pro-Israel activism, he stands publicly with Jewish students – often across from hostile groups attempting to intimidate them.
Justice consistently educates peers on the Christian connection to Israel and the shared democratic values that unite Israel, Canada, and the United States, especially through his role as legislative counselor on student government. His leadership also extends beyond campus: when activist Luai Ahmed visited Montreal, Justice addressed a packed synagogue, reminding Jewish students that allies of all faiths and backgrounds are standing beside them with conviction.
As Justice shared, “When I came to StandWithUs, I didn’t just find support – I found a family.” His work proves that the fight against antisemitism and hate belongs to all of us.
Felipe | Catholic University of America
Felipe | Catholic University of America
At Catholic University of America, Felipe has stood firm under relentless pressure. As a StandWithUs Christian Emerson Fellow, he organized major events featuring IDF soldiers and a Nova survivor, drawing hundreds of attendees even as protests gathered outside.
Felipe has faced repeated attempts to silence his work, including efforts to ban his Students Supporting Israel club and reject an IHRA antisemitism resolution he presented to student government. Along the way, the administration has selectively enforced policies in ways that disadvantage his group. Despite facing personal harassment and minimal institutional support, Felipe has remained unwavering in his support for Israel and has big plans for the spring.
Through grit and determination, Felipe has protected space for pro-Israel voices and made clear that intimidation will not dictate who belongs on campus.
Jade | UT Dallas
Jade | UT Dallas
Jade is changing campus culture through connection and collaboration. As a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow and Hillel co-president, he recently hosted a DONUT HATE tabling campaign that engaged hundreds of students in conversations about antisemitism and gathered over 200 pledges to take a stand against hate.
Beyond this initiative, Jade has built strong interfaith partnerships between Jewish, Hindu, and Christian communities – proving that dialogue and action can shift attitudes and bring people together. His leadership is rooted in consistency, empathy, and tangible impact.
Noa | UC Riverside
Noa | UC Riverside
Noa is using creativity to educate and spark meaningful dialogue. At UC Riverside, this StandWithUs Emerson Fellow brought the StandWithUs Experiential Israel Program Squeeze the Challenge to campus, using a lemonade stand as a metaphor for Israeli resilience and perseverance.
Rather than centering on the current conflict, Noa invited students to reflect on their own challenges while learning about Israel’s history in a personal, accessible way. Over five hours, more than 300 students stopped to engage with the campaign. Even those who initially disagreed or had reservations about ISrael stayed to listen, ask questions, and reconsider long-held misconceptions.
Through calm leadership and relational engagement, Noa showed how empathy can soften stigma and create meaningful change.
