Jewish American reggae singer and rapper Matisyahu took the stage at Columbia University on Monday to uplift the Jewish student community amidst a surge of antisemitism on campus. The intimate concert, voluntarily organized by the "King Without a Crown" singer, aimed to connect and inspire the Jewish community, which has become his support system during these challenging times.

In a pre-concert interview with former Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism, Noa Tishby, Matisyahu acknowledged the contradictory nature of the current situation, expressing fear of feeling alone while remaining inspired by the connections within their own people. He described the present time as confusing for many Jews.

During the concert, Matisyahu and Tishby discussed the historical resilience of the Jewish people in the face of prejudice, including violent forms, and emphasized their ability to persevere despite hatred. The singer shared that he has found solace in his music career since the recent attack launched by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the loss of numerous lives and the taking of hostages.

Matisyahu explained that whenever opposition arises due to his identity as a Jew, he instinctively channels his energy, soul, and heart into his music. He believes that creating music allows him to be of service to others, especially his fellow Jews. Upon witnessing the events on college campuses, he felt compelled to be a part of the movement, connecting with and supporting his community through live performances.

The concert was sponsored by Columbia University's Israel on Campus Coalition, an organization dedicated to inspiring American college students and pro-Israel college groups, encouraging them to view Israel as a source of pride and empowering them to stand up for Israel on campus. This event came just one week after the university formed an antisemitism task force in response to the alarming and persistent rise in antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted last month.

Columbia University reported an increase in reported antisemitic attacks, ranging from physical assaults to ideological conflicts that made Jewish students feel unsafe on campus. In response to these concerns, the university also established a doxxing resource group to protect pro-Palestinian students.

Additionally, Columbia University recently suspended two opposing far-left groups, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), for repeatedly violating university policies related to holding campus events. The university claimed that an unauthorized event held by these groups included threatening rhetoric and intimidation.

The concert by Matisyahu served as a moment of unity and support for Jewish students at Columbia University, highlighting the resilience and strength within the Jewish community in the face of rising hatred and antisemitism.