On any given day throughout the academic year, Malka can be found talking with college students over coffee, organizing cultural events, or leading discussions on the complexities of Israeli society. But for Malka, being a third-year Jewish Agency Campus Israel Fellow isn’t just a job—it’s a deeply personal mission rooted in her family’s journey from Ethiopia to Israel and her commitment to Jewish identity, community and education.
Campus Israel Fellows are Israeli young adults who have completed their IDF army service and university and are brought by The Jewish Agency, in partnership with Hillel, to serve on college campuses worldwide. These Fellows help substitute education for ignorance when it comes to student opinions about Israel, creating safe spaces for tolerance and diversity, and give students a chance to develop lasting connections with an Israeli. They also help support student efforts to counter antisemitism on campus.
“As an Israel Fellow, I share and support all Jewish life on campus to engage our amazing Jewish community here and also enrich the general student community with knowledge about Israel,” explained Malka. “In particular, I have worked to build relationships with non-Jewish groups and do outreach to diverse organizations on campus, to educate about Israel in places that know very little about us, and sometimes also hold incorrect perceptions about Israel and Jews.”
Malka’s efforts as a Fellow at a university in Tennessee have involved thoughtful relationship-building, particularly at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and campuses with small Jewish populations. While not always easy, she believes deeply in the power of listening, collaborating and finding common ground to open doors for dialogue. But after October 7, Malka’s role changed dramatically as Jewish students grappled with grief, fear and an alarming rise in antisemitism.
“October 7th was a turning point for all of us…It left an open wound. Students needed someone to remind them they weren’t alone—that they had a home and a people behind them,” reflected Malka. “Our community was shaken, but the support from non-Jewish students was incredibly moving. Some reached out privately, some showed up publicly, but all of it reminded us: there is still light.”
In the face of growing challenges—including BDS campaigns and attempts to isolate Jewish groups—Malka has worked to ensure students felt safe and supported, and to encourage Jewish students to find their voice and stand up for Israel.
“Antisemitism has, sadly, always been part of Jewish life, but no one should feel they have to accept it. Our job is to make sure Jewish students know they’re seen, they’re valued, and that someone has their back,” said Malka. “As an Israel Fellow, I help give students the tools to lead, to speak up, and to create real change. And when I see them step into that, it’s everything.”
