Anti-Semitic Graffiti; Forum Tomorrow

Dear members of the Emerson community:

On Friday, October 14, 2021, we were notified that a poster advertising a program sponsored by Hillel, our Jewish life organization on campus, had been defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti.  The poster was located in a 2 Boylston Place elevator lobby. While we do not yet know the identity or motive of the individual or individuals responsible, this defacement, which mockingly invoked the Holocaust in relation to Jewish individuals or organizations, is reprehensible and harmful, and will not be tolerated within our community. The poster was documented and removed by Residential Education staff.

College staff have been in contact with the leadership of Hillel, and continue to offer support and solidarity to the organization, members of the Jewish community and others impacted by this action.

Since access to residence halls is limited to our community, it is likely a community member may have knowledge about who is responsible. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct (communitystandards@emerson.edu) or the Emerson College Police Department (emerson_police@emerson.edu).  You may also file a report at https://emerson.edu/departments/student-success/share-concern#CommunityStandards

Staff in the Spiritual Life, Intercultural Student Affairs and Campus Life offices are available to provide support to those who might find it helpful, including Rev. Julie Avis-Rogers, Director of Spiritual Life and Campus Chaplain (julie_avisrogers@emerson.edu) and/or Jake Freedman, Hillel Advisor (jacob_freedman@emerson.edu)

The Center for Spiritual Life, in conjunction with Hillel leadership, will hold a community gathering tomorrow evening at 7:45 pm. Members of the Jewish community, and those who wish to join in solidarity are invited to attend. More information, including directions for attending in person and virtually for those not on campus, will be available via EmConnect.

Sincerely,

William P. Gilligan
Interim President