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A plea for harmony and understanding

December 5th, 2016

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

– Written by: Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

The recent turmoil on college campuses has been splashed all over news headlines since the presidential election in November. Episodes of hatred toward minorities, protests and rallies have been spreading like wildfire. One story we want to share that hits close to home is about two Jewish professors who were recently targeted by this hatred. The article to which we link below, written by Colleen Flaherty for Inside Higher Ed, reminds us that it is never too soon to begin working together in harmony. We each have a responsibility to speak up in the face of bigotry and hatred in our schools, our colleges, our workplaces, our communities. Let’s do all that we can to improve the world around us and speak up on behalf of those who need our help.

Article published on Inside Higher Ed November 28, 2016

Written by: Colleen Flaherty

Jewish faculty members on two campuses were the targets of anti-Semitic language and threats in the last few weeks. Two doesn’t make a trend, but the incidents do echo other instances of hate seen on college campuses in the days since the presidential election — and they come amid reports since the election of swastikas drawn in various locations on a number of campuses.

Benjamin Kuperman, associate professor and chair of computer science at Oberlin College, and his wife reportedly heard tapping sounds outside their home early in the morning on Nov. 17. They opened the front door to discover smashed seashells and a note behind their mezuzah, a small case that contains parchment with verses from the Torah, which many Jews place on their door frames. The note read, in glued letters, “Gas Jews Die,” according to the local Chronicle-Telegram.

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