As we emerge from this very different Passover season, during which we gathered to reflect more than ever on the themes of freedom and hope, we are faced yet again with barriers to such values in our world. While we continue to steadfastly support Israel during this time of conflict, we also face the urgent imperative to continue to address rampant antisemitism here at home.
These past few weeks, specifically on college campuses, tensions have reached yet another inflection point beyond what we could have imagined. We, like you, have been watching in horror and dismay as anti-Israel protests have quickly escalated into clear incidents of antisemitism, and in many cases, acts of violence targeting Jewish students and faculty.
Students deserve to walk around their campuses and learn in their classes safely and freely; it is as simple as that. No student should ever feel unsafe in their campus community, and certainly not due to the mere fact that they are Jewish.
We want you to know we have reached out to our college students and parents - through personal calls and texts and gathered on zoom - and we will continue to offer opportunities for support as we navigate this current climate. We encourage you to do the same and connect with anyone in your life who spends time on a college campus. They need our support now more than ever.
Here is another important way you can help in this crucial moment:
This past Friday, Rep. Ritchie Torres (D) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R), introduced the COLUMBIA (College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability) Act. It is a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives that would allow the federal government to compel universities receiving federal funding to accept supervision from a third-party antisemitism monitor.
Please take a moment to contact our representatives, urging them to support the COLUMBIA Act. Click the button belowfor suggested language and our representative's contact information.
Additionally, on Monday, May 6 at 7:00pm we will be holding our first Advocacy 101 session for anyone who would like to learn more about the process of advocating in support of Israel and against antisemitism in our community, including on our college campuses. Please register here to join us.
We stand firm in our commitment to combat antisemitism, not only on campus but in our schools, places of work, towns, and beyond, and will continue to share with you concrete ways to do so. If you are looking for additional resources, we encourage you to visit Boundless Israel.
In solidarity, and with prayers for peace,
Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz Cantor Lucy B. Fishbein Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman Rabbi Leah H. Sternberg Cantor Howard Stahl Marc Rothstein, Executive Director Karen Feldman, President
