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Thursday, September 09, 2021

Mezuzah ripped down from Jewish student dorm room at Tufts U


 

From Tufts Daily:

An act of antisemitic vandalism occurred in one of Tufts’ dorms on Saturday, according to an email sent to the Tufts community Wednesday night. The email was signed by University President Anthony Monaco.

According to the email, a Jewish student had discovered his mezuzah — an important Jewish symbol traditionally affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes — removed from his doorpost.

“Regardless of intent, the removal of this important symbol of Jewish faith is antisemitic and has caused harm,” Monaco wrote in the email. “This is a moment from which we can all learn. All members of our community should feel comfortable displaying and expressing their faith, and all members of our community should respect those displays and expressions.”

Monaco said that Tufts University Police Department had launched an investigation into the incident but has not yet been able to identify the people or person responsible for the mezuzah’s removal.

There have been other antisemitic incidents at Tufts, notably a swastika drawn on a Jewish student's dorm room door almost exactly two years ago.  Also in 2019, posters accusing Israel of "apartheid" and blaming American imperialism were plastered on the university Hillel offices.

Tufts has an active Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. It's "Jewish Voice for Peace" chapter has been quiet for several years on social media.