Monday, February 1, 2016

Round-up - While we were away ...

 Highlights of Fall 2015-Winter 2016 Events at Vassar Concerning Israel

September --  Angela Davis spoke on Sept. 16 at an event marking the 30th anniversary of Vassar's Women's Studies program.  Although the topic of her speech had no apparent connection of the Middle East, students who attended reported that she devoted considerable time to suggesting a link between racism in America and racism in Israel.  During the Q&A, she was asked about the connection between activism on behalf of Palestinians and anti-semitism.  In response, Davis endorsed BDS, pointed out that Jews are involved with BDS and suggested that this was because they didn't want the Holocaust "to happen again."  Video of that exchange was posted here by the community activist who posed the question.


October  --  Students for Justice in Palestine attempted to halt sales of Sabra hummus at the Retreat.  When FTI learned of it, members immediately alerted the administration, which confirmed that the Retreat would continue offering Sabra hummus for sale along with another brand.

 
November --
 "Conversation about Israel/Palestine" -- see article

The Anti-Defamation League and Chabad on Fulton sponsored a series of workshops for Vassar Jewish students during the 2015-2016 academic year.