Ms. Naftalieva, this year’s meeting of the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) will take place in Berlin starting on December 29. Why was the German capital chosen?
The plan was to hold it in Jerusalem, where it has taken place for decades. However, due to the events of October 7th and the ongoing war, we already had to relocate the Congress to Prague last year. This year, we hoped everything would be fine, but after the Iranian attacks on Israel, we came to the conclusion that we couldn’t ensure that students from all over the world would be able to travel to Israel. We have 44 Jewish national student unions, and any of them could host us. Obviously, locations like Latin America, Australia, or South Africa were not viable options because they are too far, and people wouldn’t be able to get there. Europe was the best choice, and Germany made a lot of sense.
Why?
The first WUJS president, Albert Einstein, has a historical connection to Germany, and the situation of Jews in Germany today is very different from what it was many years ago. It makes sense to go there and show how much Germany has changed.
In 1962, WUJS still refused to accept Jewish students from Germany.
A lot has changed since then. Today, JSUD, the German Jewish student union, is one of the biggest and strongest unions we have. They are doing an amazing job. We also knew that if we relocated to Berlin, they would be the host union. We trust them completely, so we are confident everything will go smoothly, and the event will be organized at a very high level.
»Jewish students are being excluded, discriminated against, and even attacked all over the world.«
For Jewish students, the year 2024 was characterized by rampant anti-Semitism at universities following the Hamas attack on Israel and the war in Gaza. How would you describe the situation of Jewish students today?
It has been a tough year for us. I don’t know if any other president has faced what I’ve had to face. Jewish students are being excluded, discriminated against, and even attacked all over the world. I can’t name a corner of the world that stands out as better than the others. Of course, you can make comparisons and find differences, but overall, Jewish students are encountering a very hostile environment on university campuses globally.
What keeps you going under these difficult circumstances?
What keeps me going is seeing our friends and allies and how many people have stood up for us. I know we talk a lot about those who haven’t supported us, and it’s heartbreaking. Many of us lost friends after October 7th. But the alliances we’ve built and the support we’ve received from non-Jewish people show me that we, as Jews and as Israel, are on the right side of history. This gives me hope and helps me see the light at the end of the tunnel.
What do Jewish students and WUJS do to counter anti-Semitism on campus?
Our national Jewish unions tell us that more and more students want to join the unions after October 7th because they see the discrimination they’re facing and understand that the union is a way to fight back. And they are fighting back—raising awareness about hostages on campuses, running campaigns to support Israel, and keeping up the fight. For example, WUJS has an initiative with lawyers: if there is an anti-Semitic incident on campus, students can email us, and we will ensure that the responsible individual or organization faces legal consequences. Our Congress is also a way to support Jewish students. We are bringing 150 activists, presidents, and board members together to give them tools to combat anti-Semitism more effectively on campus. It’s also a therapeutic experience to be together and to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
What else is on the agenda of WUJS right now?
Our biggest goal for every Congress is to hold the General Assembly and vote on policies. This year, we also have elections for the president. Spoiler: I’m running.
And you’re the only one, right?
Yes, I’m the only candidate.
So you have good chances.
I think I stand a chance. Of course, we’ll also have elections for the board and vote on the most important policy motions. These motions determine what we as an organization will focus on in the coming year. It’s a critical part of our work. We’ll also visit political Berlin and meet some politicians. There will be an awards and gala night with a 1920s theme, and we’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve together. So there’s a lot of joy in this year’s Congress.
»I hope the situation calms down so that we can take a mental break.«
2024 was the 100th birthday of WUJS. As the leader of such a historic organization, what are your thoughts on this milestone?
I don’t think the founding figures of WUJS, Albert Einstein and Hersch Lauterpacht, could have imagined that the 100th birthday of WUJS would come at a time when Jewish students face such challenges. I’m sure they thought the worst times for Jewish students would be behind us. But here we are. At the same time, I think they would be proud of the power and resilience Jewish students have today.
Let’s look into the future. What are your wishes for Jewish students and WUJS in 2025?
My wish is for all of us to get some rest. I hope the situation calms down so that we can take a mental break. It’s been an incredibly tough year. As I often joke, all Jewish student activists are ready for rehab. I also hope we can focus on other important issues for Jewish students beyond fighting anti-Semitism—like fostering and developing Jewish student life. I hope we can spend more time building our community instead of always having to defend it.
The interview with the President of the World Union of Jewish Students was conducted by Joshua Schultheis.
