Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on June 15, 2024

Re ACLU lawyer who defended Nazis sees free speech retreat in America by Joan Vennochi (Opinion, June 11): Antisemitism on campus is not a phantom claim intended to shut down debate. Its an all too obvious and painful reality. The Anti-Defamation League reported 916 antisemitic incidents on campus, including assaults, nationwide from Oct. 7, 2023, to May 15, a 375 percent increase compared with the same time frame a year ago.

We have cited rampant violations of student codes of conduct, making certain spaces unwelcome for students based upon their identity as Jews. Heated discourse that hurts feelings (in the words of former American Civil Liberties Union lawyer David Goldberger) is one thing, violating students civil rights is another. Universities have an obligation to protect access to services and facilities for all, regardless of background. When a protester on my sons campus held up a sign declaring Jewish students were the al-Qassam [Brigades] next targets, my son and other students reasonably wondered if they could be safe anywhere on campus.

Freedom of speech is a right and it must be protected. But those who push bigotry are not the only members of our society with rights. The exchange of viewpoints and heated debate is exactly what campus life should be about. Ensuring access to a safe and welcoming learning environment for everyone and ending the harassment of Jewish students is necessary for just such discourse to be possible.

Rabbi Ron Fish

Interim regional director

Anti-Defamation League of New England

Boston

Read more:
ADL New England: Antisemitism on campus is a painful reality, not a phantom claim - The Boston Globe

Category: Anti-Defamation League
Tags: