MEDIA INQUIRES CONTACT:
Renee Young, National Public Relations
ryoung@hadassah.org
(212) 303- 8140
Hadassah was deeply concerned to learn of an act of violence against a Jewish student at Temple University last week. Hadassah deplores all forms of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and violence against any person based on their race, ethnicity, religion, color, sexual orientation, gender, national origin or disability. We join with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, of which Hadassah is a member, in calling for civility and security on college campuses in light of increased global anti-Semitism.
JCPA Calls for Civility and Security on College Campuses in Light of Increased Global Anti-Semitism
NEW YORK – In response to increased anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence worldwide and a new school year beginning, the Jewish Council of Public Affairs calls for civility on campus and for campus leaders to foster an atmosphere in which students and faculty can feel safe, physically and intellectually, to express their opinions and ideas.
“As students return to their campuses in the coming weeks, it is essential for the Jewish community to serve as a resource, particularly given the spate of anti-Semitic incidents worldwide over this past summer,” said Rabbi Steve Gutow, JCPA President. “The JCPA calls on all campus leaders, regardless of their beliefs, to counter hateful speech on campus and to work together to foster an atmosphere in which all students and faculty can feel safe in expressing their opinions and ideas, both inside and out of the classroom, without fear of repercussions. Together we should all give high priority to de-escalating conflict while promoting a climate in which Jewish students are physically secure and able to participate fully in campus life.”
“We send our children to college to learn and to grow not to be threatened for their views or simply for who they are,” added Susan W. Turnbull, JCPA Chair. “College is a time to express ideas and to engage in meaningful dialogue in a climate that values academic and intellectual freedom as critical thinking is often the best solvent for hatred and discrimination. College campuses should be environments that promote justice and civility -- where differing viewpoints can be aired without fear or intimidation.”
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JCPA, the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 17 national including Hadassah and 125 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.
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Hadassah is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With 330,000 members, associates and supporters across the country, Hadassah brings Jewish women together to effect change and advocate on criticalissues such as medical care and research, women's empowerment, and the security of Israel. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization's (HMO) two hospitals, the world-renowned trauma center and the leading research facility in Jerusalem, Hadassah supports the delivery of exemplary patient care to over a million people every year. HMO serves without regard to race, religion or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination in 2005 for building “bridges to peace” through equality in medical treatment. For more information, visit my.hadassah.org.
