By Rabbi Binyamin Silver, Esq.
On January 11th of this year a prominent Jewish plaintiff firm filed suit against Harvard University alleging egregious civil rights violations for its antisemitic hostile educational environment and further alleging that Harvard has become a bastion of rampant anti-Jewish hatred and harassment. The lead plaintiff is an orthodox Jewish student in Harvard’s divinity school who gave a viral speech at the RNC last week, highlighting the suit and the intolerable reality of Jewish life on Harvard’s campus.
To be clear, I accept the facts as alleged and have personally spoken with several Harvard students who have corroborated the harsh and antisemitic culture that appears to be implicitly embraced and certainly tolerated at Harvard. The facts are not at issue.
The issue is the response. Is it wise for identifiable Jews to mount a public attack against Harvard or perhaps it is a fool’s errand that will be ineffective and potentially exacerbate the situation. Although I am still considering the correct approach, I am leaning towards the idea that it is an unwise move and possibly counterproductive. I have two primary objections.
First, I believe that it is critical to remember that we are in galus. As wonderful as this particular iteration of galus has generally been both financially and politically; we are not the baalabus here. Given the prominence, influence, and power wielded by so many of our brethren, we tend to forget this critical reality. On the east coast, in particular, we feel empowered and confident. However, when you are a guest in someone’s home there are certain rules which must be followed. Sure, you can address misunderstandings and areas of improvement with the host, but a direct frontal attack on the host would be seen as inappropriate. Similarly, in galus, quiet diplomacy and action through surrogates should be the preferred means of addressing our grievances. Loud public direct attacks may be perceived as inappropriate and accordingly may frustrate the very goal that they seek to accomplish. This is certainly not to say that we shouldn’t defend ourselves and practice our Judaism loud and proud, I believe we should. It is, however, to say, that we must recognize our place and not take it for granted.
My second concern is the apparent partisan divide engendered by the issue. The fact that the lead plaintiff spoke at the RNC is telling. I do not dispute that the current manifestation of antisemitism is primarily rooted in the far left, it obviously is. However, we should not be that short sighted. Historically, Jewish hatred has not been a partisan issue, and we have been freely persecuted from the right as well as the left. Political winds can shift rapidly and situating antisemitism as a partisan issue seems particularly shortsighted and unwise. While reasonable minds can differ, I believe the above two arguments present a compelling case for exercising strategic restraint in our public responses to antisemitism.
Rabbi Binyamin Silver, Esq. is the rabbi of the Young Israel of Long Beach, a picturesque and growing year-round community minutes from Far Rockaway and the Five Towns. Rabbi Silver may be reached at rabbi@yilb.org.
