(RNS) — Last spring, anti-Semitic flyers were posted on a number of college campuses, including the University of Illinois at Chicago and Texas State University. A swastika was painted on the school sign at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.
It was no different at Allegheny College, a small liberal arts college in northwestern Pennsylvania, where I recently graduated.
Near the end of the fall semester, Hanukkah decorations were ripped from outside a Jewish student’s dorm room, and in the spring swastikas were found scratched on dorm room doors and in the library.
Such anti-Semitic attacks have always seemed fairly removed from my college experience. They were someone else’s problem. But when they took place in my community within such a short span of time, it was devastating. Why here? Why us?
This year on Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, a study released by Tel Aviv University called U.S. college campuses “a hotbed of anti-Semitism.”
Reports suggest an increase in anti-Semitic incidents since President Trump’s election. But this is a form of abuse that Jews have always faced, from the Holocaust to country clubs excluding Jews here in the United States.
After the incidents at my campus, Jewish students, professors and town residents were invited to university President James Mullen’s house for dinner and a discussion. I was anxious to go. The president as well as the dean and other administrators spoke about the sense of community they try to build and how these acts do not represent who we, as a college community, truly are. Jewish students shared their experiences on campus. We praised the administration’s quick handling of the incidents and invitation to dinner, but also felt that greater work was needed to curb such actions.
The president agreed with our sentiments that this wasn’t unique to Allegheny. He did make clear that he wanted our college to be a place where we wouldn’t face such hateful rhetoric and could openly practice our religion.
Leaving the dinner that night, I felt empowered — not because the school would necessarily catch the assailants but because I believed the discussion would lead to campuswide conversations, training, and guest speakers representing all minorities.
With the fall semester approaching, colleges and universities should already be preparing a plan of prevention. They should know that the increase of anti-Semitic incidents is not a fluke as a result of the election of Donald Trump, but are part of the long history of discrimination against Jews.
(Ezra Pasackow is a 2017 graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., where he was president of Hillel, the Jewish campus group. The views expressed in this opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service)
This commentary is part of a series of essays on young Americans’ experiences of religion and spirituality. Unsolicited submissions are welcome: [email protected]
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Universities should be preparing to respond to anti-Semitism this fall
Anti-Semitic incidents on campus are part of the long history of discrimination against Jews.
(RNS) — Last spring, anti-Semitic flyers were posted on a number of college campuses, including the University of Illinois at Chicago and Texas State University. A swastika was painted on the school sign at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.
It was no different at Allegheny College, a small liberal arts college in northwestern Pennsylvania, where I recently graduated.
Near the end of the fall semester, Hanukkah decorations were ripped from outside a Jewish student’s dorm room, and in the spring swastikas were found scratched on dorm room doors and in the library.
Such anti-Semitic attacks have always seemed fairly removed from my college experience. They were someone else’s problem. But when they took place in my community within such a short span of time, it was devastating. Why here? Why us?
This year on Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, a study released by Tel Aviv University called U.S. college campuses “a hotbed of anti-Semitism.”
Reports suggest an increase in anti-Semitic incidents since President Trump’s election. But this is a form of abuse that Jews have always faced, from the Holocaust to country clubs excluding Jews here in the United States.
After the incidents at my campus, Jewish students, professors and town residents were invited to university President James Mullen’s house for dinner and a discussion. I was anxious to go. The president as well as the dean and other administrators spoke about the sense of community they try to build and how these acts do not represent who we, as a college community, truly are. Jewish students shared their experiences on campus. We praised the administration’s quick handling of the incidents and invitation to dinner, but also felt that greater work was needed to curb such actions.
The president agreed with our sentiments that this wasn’t unique to Allegheny. He did make clear that he wanted our college to be a place where we wouldn’t face such hateful rhetoric and could openly practice our religion.
Leaving the dinner that night, I felt empowered — not because the school would necessarily catch the assailants but because I believed the discussion would lead to campuswide conversations, training, and guest speakers representing all minorities.
With the fall semester approaching, colleges and universities should already be preparing a plan of prevention. They should know that the increase of anti-Semitic incidents is not a fluke as a result of the election of Donald Trump, but are part of the long history of discrimination against Jews.
(Ezra Pasackow is a 2017 graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., where he was president of Hillel, the Jewish campus group. The views expressed in this opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service)
This commentary is part of a series of essays on young Americans’ experiences of religion and spirituality. Unsolicited submissions are welcome: [email protected]
Donate to Support Independent Journalism!