The college process might be scary, but having to worry about surviving each day at that college is even scarier. With each day that passes, Jewish students across the world are at immense risk and disadvantage. Months are spent on applications, obsessing over every minute detail, selecting the perfect college that fits every desire and goal. Getting into your dream school, finding a roommate, and purchasing all the essentials are just a few key components of being a senior in high school. There is something unique, however, about being a Jewish senior. Researching whether there have been any encampments that threatened the safety and ways of life on campus, whether they have a Hillel (and if there have been any protests against its Zionist affiliations), and whether the President of the school has said anything antisemitic. Personally, I have had to cross several schools off my list because they either did nothing to prevent the rise and spread of encampments, or have made Jewish students feel unsafe and at an unfair disadvantage. Safety is a given, not a privilege to be threatened and taken away, but for Jewish students, this hasn’t been the case. My Judaism is a gift, passed down from all the strong women who came before me. From mother to daughter, generation to generation, I have always been and will always be a Jewish woman. Being Jewish fills my life with culture and tradition that should be viewed as a strength, not a weakness. By no means will I stop being the strong and vocal Jewish woman that I am for the approval of Hamas supporters who couldn't care less about actually helping civilians.

As an incoming freshman for the class of 2029, it is important to me that my voice remains strong, despite any opposition. I want to express my ideas freely and openly, not worrying that any of my new peers could hate or judge me for my identity. No matter what path the college process takes me on, I will choose a university where I can express my Zionist beliefs openly and freely. Never again should any group, regardless of religion, gender, ethnicity, or race, have to choose between safety and education. But in more situations than one, never again is NOW.