Click here for a summary of Hillel’s news and media appearances from the past week.
From Hillel of Colorado, Dick Fleischman and Ed Barad, Board Chairs and Daniel W. Bennett, Executive Director
Last weekend the University of Denver residential community experienced three acts of antisemitic vandalism. Hillel staff continues to support all Jewish students, and specifically the three students who had mezuzot (Jewish prayer boxes we place on our doorposts) ripped down and defiled, and pork products glued to their door. As Jews, these specific acts disgust us. Any bias motivated crime is a message crime, and the message is, “you are not safe here.” When such a crime targets Jewish students, it reverberates, impacting the broader Jewish community and other marginalized communities on and off campus.
An active police investigation is underway, so we don’t have more facts for you. We must be patient and wait for the results of campus security’s probe and any potential subsequent Denver police or court actions. Many of us will feel better when perpetrators are fully held accountable under university policy and the law as they must be, but there’s far more to do. We have been assured by the Chancellor (see his latest message, below) and the Provost that Hillel will remain central in discussions that lead to policy changes to assure Jewish students are safer on campus.
Jewish life at DU and statewide is thriving, in large part due to the efforts of Hillel and our partner, Chabad. With two consecutive years of record Jewish student engagement, Hillel has never been more successful in fulfilling our mission. Hillel will continue to train students to be Jewish leaders, to prioritize student wellness and mental health, and to collaborate with other student organizations that bring students together to learn about each other, support each other – and to address bigotry, racism, and the hatred that is so prevalent in every corner of our society. We are in touch with students’ parents (see Lily’s message to parents), who have never been more supportive and grateful.
Antisemitism on campus isn’t going away. Our Hillels across Colorado will continue to host trainings and work tirelessly through campus-wide programs, small group seminars, and 1-1’s with Jewish students and their allies to assure all students have the necessary tools to combat antisemitism. Hillel is the bridge between Jewish childhood and adulthood. With Hillel’s support our students will embrace their Jewish journeys now to live proud, confident Jewish futures.
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| From University of Denver Chancellor Jeremy Haefner to DU community members, February 16, 2023
As we shared earlier this week, there have been three deeply disturbing anti-Semitic incidents on campus in the past week. I am profoundly troubled by this behavior. Anti-Semitism is wrong, dehumanizing, and against so many values DU stands for. It has no place in this community or any other. The University shares the outrage of our community and extends its support to those targeted by these acts and to our larger Jewish community. We stand with you against hate, now and always.
I would like to share an update on the University’s response. The University of Denver’s Campus Safety Department has determined that all three acts, which occurred in DU’s student housing, will be counted as hate crimes in the annual Clery Act statistics. The Clery Act requires the University to record and report the number of various crimes, including hate crimes, occurring on campus.
In addition, DU’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (EOIX) is pursuing an investigation of these incidents, including a thorough review of video footage from campus safety. As they expeditiously move through this investigation, EOIX will work alongside the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, which oversees student conduct cases, and take appropriate steps to address the conduct and hold those found responsible accountable for their actions. These offices have also reached out to affected individuals to provide support and resources. I encourage anyone with information about these incidents to contact EOIX at equalopportunity@du.edu.
To that same end, the Division of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence are organizing educational programming focused on anti-Semitism. This programming will be made available for the entire community to come together to better understand the history of anti-Semitism and the terrible impact it has had on the Jewish community and the world.
I also invite the DU community to attend the ‘Jewnity Shabbat Hop’ event co-hosted by Hillel, Chabad, and DU this Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Grand Forum in the Community Commons. More information can be found here. This will offer our community the chance to come together and reaffirm our commitment to peace and to each other. Resources can also be found at the bottom of this message. Please do reach out. There is support here for you.
In the wake of moments like these—moments that shake a community’s trust—the effects are deeply felt by those who share the identity of those targeted. It is also felt by those who know and love those individuals and by everyone working each day for a better, kinder world. Let us cling firmly not only to our ideals but also to the knowledge that this moment does not reflect who we are or who we want to be. |
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