COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Thousands of young people were in the crowd at Tuesday’s March for Israel, including a tight knit group of college students from the University of Maryland.
One by one, University of Maryland students boarded a bus outside of Maryland Hillel, a gathering place for Jewish students on campus to take the *first* leg of their journey to the National Mall.
“And we have to show our support because other people from all over the country are flying in,” said Stone Schwartz, Vice President for Terps for Israel, which organized the trip to DC along with Maryland Hillel. “And we’re just right down the street.”
More than 300 students signed up for the trek to the March for Israel. The students were ready to show their support for Israel in the Gaza conflict, but also, stand up against antisemitism.
“I think they go hand in hand,” said Emma Steinhause, President of Terps for Israel. “I think we are doing it because we have to support Israel and a huge part of our Jewish identity is supporting Israel.”
“As much as I’m coming to support Israel I’m also to show the rest of the U.S. and show the U.S. administration that we need to condemn antisemitism in all of its forms.”
After a short bus ride to the College Park Metro Station, the group boarded trains headed to the rally. Some, wrapped in Israeli flags. Others in a prayer tool called tefillin, which symbolizes a closeness to god.
As the students stepped off the trains at Archive Metro Station, many were united in song.
"I think there’s definitely been a narrative of a lot of antisemitism across colleges campuses, specifically more recently," said Eitan Linsider, who was also helping organize the group by handing out wristbands to the rally. "And I think we are coming to show it doesn’t affect us. We’re standing strong."
And as they arrived to join their Jewish brothers and sisters, the crowd filled speared not filled with not a sense of dread. But hope.
"Honestly I thought the mood would be a little sad and depressing considering the situation with over 200 hostages in Gaza right now held by Hamas," said Dina Bash. “But I really feel like there’s a good energy. Everyone’s coming together to be united as a Jewish people and to support Israel and to bring our hostage’s home.”
Maryland Hillel is one of the largest chapters of its kind nationwide.