Dear friends -
We are working closely with our partners and monitoring the situation occurring on college campuses across the country. We are in contact with Houston Hillel, here is their latest update:
“Houston Hillel's campuses have not yet experienced demonstrations leading to police intervention, but the campus climate for Jewish students continues to deteriorate at six of our campuses that have active anti-Israel student organizations. This week anti-Israel students at Rice University and the University of Houston are occupying areas of campus, but university administrators continue to feel that the demonstrating students are behaving within campus regulations.
This past Monday night the University of Houston's Student Government Association debated an antisemitic BDS resolution at exactly the same time as Jewish students were attending first night Seders - despite knowing that Jewish students would not be able to speak at the meeting.
Rabbi Kenny Weiss and Houston Hillel's staff regularly communicate with university administrators throughout Southeast Texas, including a recent meeting during which University of Houston staff shared the language they are using to incorporate the IHRA definition of antisemitism into the university's Title IX regulations.”
We will continue to monitor and provide resources as needed. We know that many of our Houston Jewish community members are parents of students on campuses across the nation. You can use this link, created by The Anti-Defamation League, to send a personalized letter to your campus administration expressing your concern.
We want you to know that the Federation is here to support you and your families. We continue working with our security partner, SCN, to monitor this ongoing situation. Al Tribble, our Community Security Director, has proactively been in conversations with law enforcement, Rice University, and the University of Houston police to gather information and determine if other intervention is necessary. We will share communication if the situation changes.
Jewish Federation of North America Update
Secure Community Network Update
The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston proudly supports both Hillels and Chabads on several of our Texas campuses. Please see these messages from some of our partners:
Robin T. Stein, Board Chair
Renée Wizig-Barrios, President & CEO
Al Tribble, Jewish Community Security Director
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