Faculty and Staff for Israel have about 60 members on Indiana University's Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses.
(Zachi Evenor, Wikimedia Commons)
Indiana University faculty and staff are asking the university to do more to stop antisemitism and attacks on Israel.
With 60 members on the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses, Faculty and Staff for Israel was formed after the Hamas attack on Israel Oct. 7. Alvin Rosenfeld, a member and professor of Jewish studies, said IU has been a welcoming place for all, including Jewish people, but antisemitism has escalated.
Rosenfeld said attacks against and hatred of the State of Israel have grown, especially since Oct. 7.
“We've come into existence at a time when, as I mentioned, antisemitism has become a threat, not just on campuses but all over the place,” Rosenfeld said. “A university is a place where students and faculty really should be devoted to advancing knowledge, helping students think critically deeply and encouraging everybody to be decent people — most people are, but not everyone.”
The Anti-Defamation League tracks antisemitism and extremism in the U.S. A recent report said antisemitic incidents increased by 360% from Oct. 7 to Jan. 7 compared to the previous year. Pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist demonstrations are included in that figure.
The local faculty and staff group brought its concerns Feb. 21 to President Pamela Whitten, the Board of Trustees, Bloomington Provost Rahul Shrivastav, and Indianapolis Chancellor Latha Ramchand.
“The major aim of the letter is to announce to IU leadership and IU trustees that they can look to us — now some 60 strong already and growing — as a group of concerned, devoted, loyal IU faculty and staff who really want to see the university free of harassment of Jewish students and all others as well,” Rosenfeld said.
Rosenfeld said he and other members of the group have been in touch with campus and university leaders since October.
Faculty and Staff for Israel requested the Provost’s Antisemitism Advisory Board meet more often and shape university policies during “this period of heightened tensions,” the letter said.
Rosenfeld is a member of the board and director of IU’s Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism. He said the board meets about once or twice a semester. Faculty and Staff for Israel also requested the creation of a similar board for IU’s Indianapolis campus.
The letter also asks the university to enforce its Code of Conduct, saying the uptick in antisemitic events threaten members of the IU community and prevent them from taking part in activities.
Rosenfeld said for the past few years, Jewish students told him they’re afraid on campus.
In 2022, he said for example, students’ mezuzahs — traditionally found in the doorway containing Hebrew verses or prayers — were stolen, damaged and burned. The university respondedby placing many in the Indiana Memorial Union and around campus.
“People are who they are, they should have a right to be who they are without being afraid to be who they are,” he said.
Rosenfeld said protesters are interrupting campus tours calling for “Free Palestine,” causing families to reconsider sending their children to IU. Parents are reaching out to Rosenfeld saying they’re nervous about visiting campus. He said free speech can easily turn into harassment.
“We're all for free speech, and we don't want to see it seriously curtailed, but it can also be badly abused,” Rosenfeld said.
In November, an IU spokesperson said safety and well-being of IU students are always top priorities.
“IU’s commitment to stand against antisemitism is deep and sincere,” the statement said. “Hate has no home at IU and acts of antisemitism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated.”
The university has increased security, focusing on Jewish student organizations, since Oct. 7, according to Whitten's December letter. She said IU leaders meet frequently with Jewish students as well as work with the Israel on Campus Coalition and IU's Antisemitism Advisory Board.
“Indiana University’s commitment to combating antisemitism is long-standing, though the terrorist attack on the people of Israel by Hamas reinforced the importance of our continued support for IU’s Jewish community,” Whitten said.
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @aubreymwright.
