Jewish faculty members disband group after school freezes them out of ‘Standing Together Against Hate’ event
Sally Kornbluth (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Last fall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology president Sally Kornbluth handpicked a group of Jewish faculty members to advise the school on combating campus anti-Semitism. The faculty members were hopeful that their involvement would help reduce tensions on campus. However, their hopes were dashed when MIT chancellor Melissa Nobles announced the “Standing Together Against Hate” (STAH) initiative, which excluded discussions on racism or hatred targeting Israelis and Zionists.
Concerns were also raised about the chosen speakers for the initiative. One panelist, Dalia Mogahed, endorsed Hamas terrorism and made derogatory remarks about Israelis. Another panelist, Erwin Chemerinsky, serves as the dean of a law school that was sued for campus anti-Semitism. The Jewish faculty members were not consulted about the panel topics or speakers, leading them to disband their advisory group.
This incident comes as MIT faces a congressional investigation into its handling of campus anti-Semitism. MIT president Sally Kornbluth has pledged to reassess the school’s policies on harassment and discrimination. However, the freezing out of the Jewish faculty members from the advisory committee raises doubts about her commitment to combating anti-Semitism.
The MIT Israel Alliance, a campus group formed to protect Jewish students, criticized the “Standing Together Against Hate” initiative for marginalizing Jewish members of the community and leaving them vulnerable to harassment. MIT’s response to the alliance’s concerns remains unclear.
Unauthorized anti-Israel protests have also been a problem on MIT’s campus. One group, the MIT Coalition Against Apartheid, organized a disruptive demonstration in November, and they have pledged to take even stronger action in the future. The group recently held an emergency speakout protesting an Israel Defense Forces mission and denounced the “Standing Together Against Hate” initiative.
How does the exclusion of JFST from the event contradict the message of promoting inclusivity and addressing hate crimes on campus?
, a group of Jewish faculty members at Duke University formed an organization called Jewish Faculty Standing Together (JFST) in response to a rising trend of anti-Semitic incidents on campus. The organization aimed to provide a unified voice for Jewish faculty and promote tolerance and understanding within the university community.
However, recently the group decided to disband after feeling alienated and excluded from a school event called “Standing Together Against Hate.” The event, which was organized by the university administration, aimed to address hate crimes and promote inclusivity on campus. While the intention of the event was commendable, the exclusion of JFST seemed contradictory to its message.
Sally Kornbluth, the Provost of Duke University, defended the decision by stating that the event was not intended to focus on any particular group. However, this explanation falls short when considering the specific aim of JFST to combat anti-Semitism on campus. By excluding the Jewish faculty from the event, the administration missed an important opportunity to address concerns specific to the Jewish community.
During their time as an organization, JFST had worked tirelessly to advocate for their rights and raise awareness about the challenges faced by Jewish faculty members. They organized workshops on combating anti-Semitism, collaborated with other student organizations, and supported individual members who had experienced incidents of discrimination. The disbandment of the organization signifies a setback for these efforts and raises questions about the university’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity.
In a statement announcing the disbandment, the JFST highlighted their disappointment with the exclusion from the “Standing Together Against Hate” event. They expressed their hope that the administration would recognize the importance of including the Jewish faculty in conversations about combating hate on campus.
Incidents of hate and discrimination have no place in any educational institution. It is the responsibility of the university administration to ensure an environment that is inclusive and safe for all members of the community. By excluding the Jewish faculty from the ”Standing Together Against Hate” event, Duke University missed an opportunity to address the specific concerns of the Jewish community and failed to acknowledge the importance of their voices in the fight against hate.
Moving forward, it is crucial that the university takes steps to rebuild the trust with the Jewish faculty members. This can be done by engaging in open and honest dialogue, acknowledging the concerns raised, and actively including Jewish faculty in future conversations and initiatives aimed at combatting hate on campus.
Duke University has always prided itself on its commitment to diversity and inclusivity. It is imperative that the university lives up to these values by ensuring that the voices and concerns of every community are heard and addressed. Only by working together can we truly create an environment that is free from hate and discrimination.
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