School roadshow helps Jewish students to be their proud selves at university

“It’s quite sad that we have to do this, but the need for Jewish students to build resilience around their identity is becoming increasingly more urgent,” Manson said.

“It’s a new iteration of antisemitism”, she continued. “It’s lower-level microaggressions, not the classic swastika in the toilet like in the past. It’s social exclusion because you’ve got an Israeli flag in your room, or the lecturer who mentions genocide in every lecture.”

“There’s kids who go to Israel on their gap year and won’t tell anyone where they’ve been when they get to university. Students should be free to express their Jewish identity, whether they support Israel or not.”

I-gnite’s Pre-Uni Prep is for students in years 12 and 13 thinking about their university education.

Starting on Monday [March 9], the organisation will be going to schools in London and Manchester, bringing with them panels of speakers, including Daniel Berke, a distinguished solicitor associated with UK Lawyers for Israel; and Charlotte Korchak, a renowned speaker and founder of the Jerusalem Education Institute.

I-gnite workshop on 'Effective Communication: How to talk about Israel without losing friends' with Charlotte Korchak (Photo: Danielle Manson)[Missing Credit]

“It can be as simple as defining what antisemitism on campus really looks like or teaching students things like how to talk about Israel without losing your friends,” Manson said. “We have to start it at secondary school because students otherwise won’t understand who is there to support you and advocate for you.”

Amy Bronstein is a current student at Warwick University who says she has benefited from previous years of I-gnite’s support.

“Their weekly webinars in the wake of October 7 really helped me understand what was going on from reliable sources and thoroughly-invested individuals, as well as emphasising that I was not alone in my concern for Israel,” she said.

“I-gnite also gave me the opportunity to speak to Lord Mann, the government advisor on antisemitism. Whilst it was at the time and is still undeniably a difficult time for students, he provided reassurance that members of the government are on the side of Jewish students and we are not alone on campus,” she said.

The Pre-Uni Prep roadshow, which is in its third year now, will also be delivered in the format of evening dinners in both London and Manchester, and there will be an online version of the show for students on gap years.

I-gnite’s Pre-Uni Prep 2025 welcome speech by Robert Halfon, formerly Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships, and Higher Education (Photo: Danielle Manson)[Missing Credit]

The shows will feature current students, demonstrate effective communication strategies on sensitive topics, and delineate what campus antisemitism looks like.

Neva Drazin, who is studying at Leeds University, said that I-gnite gave her “a realistic and valuable insight into what campus life can look like for a Jewish student”.

“It prepared me practically and emotionally so I felt ready for any situations I may face, including how to respond appropriately to situations involving antisemitism that I may encounter,” she said.

This year, I-gnite is partnering with the CST student helpline, the Union of Jewish Students, and the University Jewish Chaplaincy, the idea being to function as “a dedicated one-stop-shop for students who need support to be directed to specialist partner organisations”, said Manson.

Amy commented on I-gnite’s “role in showing Jewish students that they are supported”, saying: “There is a lot of work that does go on to help Jewish students but it is often quiet”.

“I-gnite has repeatedly managed to communicate the support that professionals from many different industries provide for Jewish students, which truly does make Jewish students feel less alone.”

Amy said: “Without I-gnite, I probably wouldn’t know that UK Lawyers for Israel will help me if I feel that an essay has been marked unfairly due to a marker having antisemitic or anti-Israel opinions.”

Neva concurred, saying that being “made aware of the support systems and resources available to Jewish students gave me reassurance going into university”.

Students meeting some of the key campus organisations at I-gnite's Pre-Uni Prep 2025 (Photo: Danielle Manson)[Missing Credit]

While the need for an organisation like I-gnite is a reflection of a more unsettling environment for Jewish students today, it is also a positive initiative, in that it gives prospective students the impetus to “be more proactive instead of reactive”, said Neva, by “preparing Jewish students for the difficulties they may face before university begins”.

And ultimately, the challenges in UK universities won’t make Jewish life on campus lose its shine. “We refuse to let hostility cow us into insularity”, said UJS president Louis Danker in his latest opinion piece for the JC. “We’re taking control of the narrative, ensuring the Jewish student story is written by proud Jewish students”.

To book onto I-gnite’s dinner in London or Manchester, click here.