Hillel, how could you allow this? These symbols are deeply triggering for Jews, especially Israelis. This isn’t about embracing diversity—it’s about recognizing that these symbols are associated with terror and are worn by those who take pleasure in making Jews feel unsafe. This is unacceptable, and I expect an apology.
Having had interactions with USC Hillel leadership since October 7th, I am not surprised. Standing up firmly against antisemitic and ant-Israel sentiments on campus is not what they choose to do.
How vile and cynical must someone be to do something like this? This is an appalling display of disrespect. What have we become as a society? Imagine the outrage if someone wore a KKK hood to a Black Student Organization meeting. This is even worse because it targets a religious gathering. We must do better, fellow Trojans. And yes, DEI and radical progressive ideologies have undermined our ability to stand up to this kind of bullying. We cannot allow Jewish students to be humiliated like this. Jewish people are strong, brave, and resilient, and they deserve our full support. Ban these "people" from attending another event.
Excellent article Dr. Hagit Arieli-chai. This is so outrageous. USC Hillel sold out to DEI at the expense of its Jewish students. Unbelievable and shameful.
I remember a historical narrative about encounters between rival populations in the Pacific. A peaceful cultural group was being confronted by attacks by a cannibalistic group. The peaceful group had internal arguments about how to respond to this threat and ultimately the majority decided to try to accommodate their violent neighbors. Those who refused chose exile. Only those in exile survived because cannibals were not interested in peace.
I mention this hear as it applies to the Palestinians and their supporters. It is time we recognized that the Palestinian people as a whole have systemically rejected living in peace with their neighbors...and start treating them as such.
I have to say that I love Hillel and deeply appreciate everyone who works there and all that they do. I also truly value the respect for diverse political opinions and perspectives. However, keffiyehs have become a symbol of the antisemitism that students have experienced since October 7th, and they should not be allowed in one of the few places where Jewish students feel safe. I hope this was an unintentional mistake.
Reminds me of how several years ago some women were booted from the Chicago Dyke March because their Pride flags adorned with the Magen David might “trigger” others and make them feel “unsafe”…apparently such sensitivity is only expected to go in one direction.
They did that on purpose. It was to provoke a reaction, intimidate and injure Jews. The students who wore those glorified dishrags are Hamas-enablers and, likely, future terrorists.
So we know if the students wearing the keffiyehs were even Jewish? I am sure they wore them simply to make a scene and cause trouble. I figure that the rabbi felt it best to ignore them. This way they are not the important part of the event but Shabbat is. If it bothered other students they should have confronted the keffiyeh wearers. In fact they may have been trying to cause an issue to bring a lawsuit to try to get Hillel pushed off campus. That is their new thing now by the Israel haters.
I’m truly shocked.
Hillel, how could you allow this? These symbols are deeply triggering for Jews, especially Israelis. This isn’t about embracing diversity—it’s about recognizing that these symbols are associated with terror and are worn by those who take pleasure in making Jews feel unsafe. This is unacceptable, and I expect an apology.
Having had interactions with USC Hillel leadership since October 7th, I am not surprised. Standing up firmly against antisemitic and ant-Israel sentiments on campus is not what they choose to do.
How vile and cynical must someone be to do something like this? This is an appalling display of disrespect. What have we become as a society? Imagine the outrage if someone wore a KKK hood to a Black Student Organization meeting. This is even worse because it targets a religious gathering. We must do better, fellow Trojans. And yes, DEI and radical progressive ideologies have undermined our ability to stand up to this kind of bullying. We cannot allow Jewish students to be humiliated like this. Jewish people are strong, brave, and resilient, and they deserve our full support. Ban these "people" from attending another event.
Excellent article Dr. Hagit Arieli-chai. This is so outrageous. USC Hillel sold out to DEI at the expense of its Jewish students. Unbelievable and shameful.
I remember a historical narrative about encounters between rival populations in the Pacific. A peaceful cultural group was being confronted by attacks by a cannibalistic group. The peaceful group had internal arguments about how to respond to this threat and ultimately the majority decided to try to accommodate their violent neighbors. Those who refused chose exile. Only those in exile survived because cannibals were not interested in peace.
I mention this hear as it applies to the Palestinians and their supporters. It is time we recognized that the Palestinian people as a whole have systemically rejected living in peace with their neighbors...and start treating them as such.
Brilliant, kol hakavod!
I have to say that I love Hillel and deeply appreciate everyone who works there and all that they do. I also truly value the respect for diverse political opinions and perspectives. However, keffiyehs have become a symbol of the antisemitism that students have experienced since October 7th, and they should not be allowed in one of the few places where Jewish students feel safe. I hope this was an unintentional mistake.
Reminds me of how several years ago some women were booted from the Chicago Dyke March because their Pride flags adorned with the Magen David might “trigger” others and make them feel “unsafe”…apparently such sensitivity is only expected to go in one direction.
They did that on purpose. It was to provoke a reaction, intimidate and injure Jews. The students who wore those glorified dishrags are Hamas-enablers and, likely, future terrorists.
So we know if the students wearing the keffiyehs were even Jewish? I am sure they wore them simply to make a scene and cause trouble. I figure that the rabbi felt it best to ignore them. This way they are not the important part of the event but Shabbat is. If it bothered other students they should have confronted the keffiyeh wearers. In fact they may have been trying to cause an issue to bring a lawsuit to try to get Hillel pushed off campus. That is their new thing now by the Israel haters.