A Jewish student at Brandeis University, Shai Goldberg-Kellman, argues that colleges need a summer "do-over" to address antisemitism and protect free speech on campus.
By Fox News Digital
Colleges Need Summer 'Do-Over' After Protests Made Jewish Students Feel Unsafe
A Jewish student at Brandeis University, Shai Goldberg-Kellman, has penned an op-ed for Fox News Digital, arguing that colleges need a summer "do-over" to address antisemitism and protect free speech on campus.
Goldberg-Kellman writes that the recent surge in anti-Israel protests on college campuses has left many Jewish students feeling unsafe and unwelcome. He points to Brandeis University as an example, where a motion of no confidence was recently passed against university president Ronald Liebowitz for his handling of on-campus protests.
Colleges Need Summer 'Do-Over' After Protests Made Jewish Students Feel Unsafe
Goldberg-Kellman argues that Liebowitz's decision to disbar the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) for its support of Hamas was the right one. However, he says, the university needs to do more to address the underlying issues of antisemitism and hatred of Israel that are fueling these protests.
"It is clear that antisemitism is a growing problem on college campuses," Goldberg-Kellman writes. "And it is clear that our universities are not doing enough to address it."
Colleges Need Summer 'Do-Over' After Protests Made Jewish Students Feel Unsafe
He calls for a summer "do-over" where colleges can develop new strategies to combat antisemitism and protect free speech. This could include mandatory training for students and faculty on antisemitism, increased security on campus, and new policies to address hate speech.
"We cannot afford to wait any longer," Goldberg-Kellman writes. "We need to take action now to make our campuses safe and welcoming for all students."
Colleges Need Summer 'Do-Over' After Protests Made Jewish Students Feel Unsafe
Goldberg-Kellman's op-ed comes as colleges and universities across the country are grappling with the issue of antisemitism. In April, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its Campus Antisemitism Report Card, which found that antisemitism is on the rise on college campuses. The report found that more than half of Jewish students have experienced antisemitism on campus in the past year.
The ADL's report also found that colleges and universities are not doing enough to address antisemitism. The report found that only 34% of colleges and universities have adopted the ADL's definition of antisemitism.
"Our institutions of higher learning must act," Goldberg-Kellman writes. "They must take a stand against antisemitism and make our campuses safe and welcoming for all students."
