American friends of “Hakav Hameached” visiting at Ohel Chabad Lubavitch. Photo provided by Ayelet Raymond.

My oldest daughter recently enrolled in a major university on the East Coast. On day one, we went to a Hillel event with a few hundred families, where there was a lot of mention of multi-cultural issues, tikkun olam — and no kosher food served.

At the (very warm) Chabad House, a rabbi and rebbetzin welcomed students and explained there was a group of approximately 50 students who attended events regularly. The rabbi — who receives no funding from the university, like nearly all Chabads on campus — is the only Orthodox leader at the school, as far as I know. The total number of attendees at various events throughout the year is probably a few hundred at best, though there are far more Jewish students.

Is it any wonder why assimilation and intermarriage rates are soaring in the United States?

Despite the wonderful work of Chabad on campus, I would venture that most Jewish students on campus have no spiritual life. It’s sad — and likely won’t get better unless more Jewish kids have a Jewish education.

It’s hard to be Jewish on campus — between finding Jewish singles, keeping holidays, not to mention the rampant antisemitism. And if you’re an outspoken Zionist, forget about it.

Jewish students nationwide often choose to not hang a mezuzah on their dormitory door, and some students don’t wear a Star of David in order to avoid harassment.

Let me ask — for all this noise about antisemitism through the years, all the money (and noise) various Jewish organizations have raised, has it made even one more Jew stay Jewish?

That’s where our focus should be — just like what Chabad is doing.

Count me among those who are concerned about the future of American Jews not educated in Jewish day schools. Jewish education combined with Israel is a positive factor. How can one stay Jewish with all these challenges without a strong Jewish background?

Investing in Jewish day schools is likely to be the only path to keep more American Jewish people in our faith. American Jews who want to make a difference need to invest more in Jewish day schools and Jewish education. I fear for the future of Jewish youth in America — more because of assimilation than antisemitism.

Ronn Torossian is an entrepreneur.