'Your Jewish students cannot be sacrificed': Jewish leaders, students address universities

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: HANNAH SARISOHN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Columbia/Barnard Hillel Lavine Family Executive Director Brian Cohen said the university needs to send a clear message to the protestors: gather within the university rules around student protests or face serious, legitimate consequences, namely suspension and expulsion

"It's not my standard practice to be public about what is happening on campus," Cohen said. "But I tried working with the University behind the scenes. They consistently failed to address the crisis on campus."

While Cohen said protestors have the right to say things he and others strongly disagree with and even find deplorable, protections are supposed to be able to restrict where and when protest activity can take place.

University rules dictate the university must ensure that students can "continue their academic pursuits without fear for their personal security or other serious intrusions on their ability to teach and study," he said.

Cohen said some faculty are suggesting that students are fabricating allegations of antisemitism, and other professors are teaching their classes filled with students from diverse political and personal backgrounds from within the encampment. Cohen also said some professors are ending classes early and walking out to attend protests.

Cohen said he's reached out to the administration requesting professors teach their classes in the classroom, to which he's gotten no response.

Hillel leadership comments on campus antisemitism

Hillel International CEO Adam Lehman became emotional, pounding on the podium as he said students deserve better and deserve an environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and physical assault.

"Every university leader who may be watching or may see a recording of this: do your job. You are there to actually prevent the anarchy and chaos which we are seeing on far too many campuses," Lehman said. "Your opportunity is simply to do what is right. Enforce your policies."

Lehman said we have to be able to...