Anti-Semitism at UCF

In response to anti-Semitic vandalism at UCF, 34 Jewish and civil rights groups—including student groups and the Zionist Organization of America, CAMERA and Simon Wiesenthal Center—wrote to UCF President John Hitt stating that what had been done to date “is simply not enough.” The groups stated their dismay that in the weeks since the stickers and flyers appeared, the UCF administration had not publicly condemned the postings as anti-Semitic, and the Jewish students felt threatened and unsafe.

The letter went on to make some recommendations to deter future acts of anti-Semitism, including swiftly and publicly acknowledging and condemning these acts; educating the university staff and campus police in identifying anti-Semitism; adopting the U.S. State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism to accurately identify all future acts of hatred toward Jews; and allocate resources and publicly commit to educating students about anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish discrimination.

Heritage received a follow-up email on Dec. 30, 2015, stating that much had transpired since they sent that letter.

“Hillel, AEPi, ADL and our coalition of anti-Semitism watchdog groups have been in touch repeatedly with UCF administrators and are helping recommend the best practices for preventing future incidents and protecting all students against harmful and senseless hate,” said Tammi Rossman Benjamin, director of AMCHA Initiative, a nonprofit that combats campus anti-Semitism. Rossman spearheaded the letter on behalf of all the groups.