Rutgers U Prof Slams Admin Over Mishandling of Rising Anti-Semitism on Campus

Rutgers U Prof Slams Admin Over Mishandling of Rising Anti-Semitism on Campus

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Rebecca Cypess, an Orthodox Jewish professor in the music department at Rutgers University, has issued a damning critique of the institution’s handling of soaring anti-Semitism on campus, as was reported on Saturday in the New York Post.  In a letter addressed to Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway and Chancellor Francine Conway, Professor Cypess expressed her distress over the pervasive anti-Semitic atmosphere at the university, which has severely impacted her professional and personal life, the Post report added.

In her missive, Professor Cypess detailed her experiences with anti-Semitism across various levels of the university, from the classroom environment to the administrative offices. She described a campus culture that not only tolerates anti-Semitism but also, in some instances, seems to perpetuate it. According to the information provided in the Post report, this environment, she argued, has made it impossible for her to focus on her scholarly work, as she finds herself constantly engaged in efforts to support and defend students, staff, and fellow faculty members facing discrimination.

The situation at Rutgers has reportedly rapidly escalated as of late with pro-Hamas demonstrators actively participating in hate speech and taking aggressive actions against Jewish students. Disturbing incidents include demonstrators yelling threats and invoking Hitler in interactions with Jewish students, chanting for intifada, and distributing posters featuring images of a Jewish student throughout dormitories, according to the information contained in the Post report.  These activities contribute to a hostile environment that Professor Cypess described as unbearable for those targeted.

The ongoing issue of anti-Semitism at Rutgers has had profound repercussions on Professor Cypess’s professional life. She pointed out that the hostile climate has prevented her from engaging in scholarly writing and publishing, as her time and energy are consumed by the need to address constant crises related to anti-Semitism on campus, as was detailed in the Post report. This untenable situation has led her to make the decision to leave Rutgers.

As such, Professor Cypess has announced her departure from Rutgers to assume a new role as the dean of the men’s and women’s undergraduate colleges at Yeshiva University in Manhattan, the Post reported. This move represents not only a significant career shift but also her disengagement from an environment that is toxic and counterproductive to her values and professional goals.

The administration at Rutgers University has yet to publicly respond to Professor Cypess’s allegations and her letter, as was noted in the Post report.  The issues raised by Professor Cypess pose serious questions about the university’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism and supporting a diverse and inclusive academic community.

In her communication, Professor Cypess detailed the profound personal impact of the campus atmosphere, stating, “Throughout this year, I have found it difficult to breathe. I have lost my taste for my job; the joy that I used to feel in working at Rutgers has disappeared, the Post reported. ”

She also sharply criticized the Rutgers administration for capitulating to the demands of anti-Israel encampment organizers, whom she accuses of holding the university “hostage all year.” The report in the Post indicated that she articulated her concerns about how these groups have not only disrupted academic and campus life but have actively “harassed and intimidated Jews” and propagated “disgusting, anti-Semitic blood libels.”

The professor also reflected on her efforts, along with the Jewish Faculty Administrators and Staff (JFAS), to work collaboratively with the Rutgers administration to enhance Jewish life on campus. According to the Post report, she expressed regret over what she now considers a “misguided” approach, suggesting that more assertive actions might have spurred the university into action, akin to the tactics used by the anti-Israel groups. The report in the Post also said that Cypess posed a rhetorical question: “If JFAS had pitched tents on Voorhees Mall, unfurled hateful banners from Murray Hall, and forced the cancellation of hundreds of exams, would our recommendations have been implemented?”