As encampments spring up at college campuses across Greater Boston and the nation, Jewish students say they continue to feel terrified, in danger and alone amid the Israel-Hamas war and the protests that have erupted around it.

Hundreds of parents, professors and members of the community at large stood in solidarity with students who are grappling with antisemitic rhetoric and harassment at their schools during an hour-long rally Sunday at Temple Israel of Boston.

Students and supporters conveyed a central message: Through the trauma that comes their way, they’ll remain committed to eradicating hatred and violence toward Jews and celebrating Jewish pride and joy.

Rallygoers held signs that on one side read “Boston stands against antisemitism,” and the other “No hate on our campuses.” Dozens held American and Israeli flags, with flags draped around others’ backs. Israeli songs also played, with the crowd singing along.

Julia Freedman, a first-year at Boston College, came to the city “to learn, to experience the world firsthand and to become a seasoned adult.” But her experience, she said, has been much different due to the Israel-Hamas war and ensuing protests on college campuses.

“Mostly, I have learned about human nature, and sadly, I have learned about what’s being taught on our college campuses,” Freedman said. “I have learned all about hate. I have also learned a lot about ignorance and arrogance. I have learned that intelligent, well-intentioned people can be easily coerced into hateful and dangerous mobs in the distorted name of false virtue.”

Freedman called college campuses the “most dangerous place” for Jews in the country.

A professor “encouraged student protesters to wear masks so nobody could identify them,” Freedman said. “It was at this moment that I realized no one was coming to save us. But if I learned one thing in this whole thing, I have learned that I am not a Jew with trembling knees.”

Over the past week, encampments at Emerson, Northeastern, Harvard, Tufts and MIT have dominated the local headlines. Nationally, Columbia University in New York City has been at the center of college unrest.

That’s where Lishi Baker, a Brookline native and Columbia sophomore, said he has been told that he and fellow Jewish classmates are all “inbred” and that “we have no culture.”

Baker, son of Mark Baker, the president and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies which organized Sunday’s rally, said “no one seemed to listen” to concerns from Jewish students over some of the messages that pro-Palestinian students have chanted during protests.

“We have been told to go back to Europe, to go back to Poland,” Baker said. “Three of my friends were physically assaulted inside the campus gates. And on the streets of New York City, somebody lit my American flag on fire while I was holding it and burned a hole through my shirt. This is not normal. This is not pro peace. And this surely is not progressive. This is dangerous.”

Baker highlighted Khymani James, a former Boston School Committee student representative, now a leader of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University calling for the eradication of Zionists.

Late Friday, Columbia University announced it had barred James from campus. The university did not make clear if he was suspended or permanently expelled.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft sent a video message shown during the rally, expressing his support. Last week, Kraft pulled his support for his alma mater Columbia amid the explosion of anti-Israel “virulent hate” protests on campus.

Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi, founder and president of Harvard Chabad, pointed to the showdown at the Emerson encampment, thanking law enforcement and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for attempting to make Jewish students feel safe.

“We also express our gratitude to law enforcement who’s here, not only here to protect our ability to be together but those who enforce the law and ensure the safety of our Jewish students on campus in Boston,” Zarchi said.

“We salute Mayor Wu who was just disinvited to come to Harvard because she allowed the police to do their work and not allow the chance to shut down the Hillel at Emerson.”

People participate in a Stand up for Jewish Students rally outside Temple Israel of Boston. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
The flags of Israel and the United States are held high in the air during a Stand up for Jewish Students rally outside Temple Israel of Boston, Sunday. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)