Dear Friends,
I would like to share with you an update about the events that took place on Penn’s campus this past weekend regarding the BDS Conference (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel) and Hillel’s response. While most wished that the conference had never been held at Penn, I am pleased to share that in the end, the conference provided a unique opportunity for Hillel to create a diverse and multifaceted programmatic response that made the campus come alive with positive and productive Israel activity.
I heard from many students that as they walked up and down Locust walk, or went out to various parties over the weekend, the main topic of conversation was Israel, Professor Alan Dershowitz and the Israel Across Penn dinners. This is one indicator of the impact that Penn Hillel’s response had upon the broader campus.
Here is a quick recap of the events of the weekend:
- 887 attended the talk led by Professor Alan Dershowitz at the Zellerbach Theater at Annenberg
- David L. Cohen – President of the Penn Board of Trustees read a letter from University president Amy Gutmann expressing her support for Israel and her repudiation of the positions held by the BDS movement.
- 300 students attended the Invest in Israel Party held at “Smokes” near campus. The event raised $5,000 for the One Family charity.
- 48 students hosted Israel Across Penn dinners focused on positive conversations about Israel. The hosts came from varied Jewish backgrounds. 35 of the hosts were new Israel leaders.
- 800 Jewish and non-Jewish students participated in Israel Across Penn dinners.
- 600 students attended Shabbat Services held at Hillel. Three unique services were held, each featuring a speech (dvar Torah) focused on Israel.
- State Senator Anthony Williams spoke at Hillel on Friday night expressing his support for Israel.
- The Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee (PIPAC) developed a student leadership statement in support of Israel that was signed by 57 student leaders representing such groups as the Undergraduate Assembly, the Penn Democrats, the College Republicans, and the Penn Basketball team.
- You can view the pictures and videos for all events described above as well as the University’s statement at http://pennhillel.org/BDSResponse
I spent all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday on campus during the actual BDS Conference. Campus was very quiet. The conference was held on the far east-side of campus in the lower level of the Fine Arts Building. While we do not know exact numbers, from what we hear, there were less that 200 people at the BDS Conference during the main sessions and there were very few actual Penn students (perhaps less that 30 by my own count).
Looking back over the past week, I am so proud of our student leaders, the hundreds of new students who have stepped up and are now involved with Israel on campus and the amazing support of the local and national pro-Israel community. In particular, I want to offer special thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and Hillel of Greater Philadelphia for their support, leadership and resources.
Penn Hillel also thanks alumni and supporters who stepped up with guidance and generous donations allowing us to succeed during these challenging times.
We could not do it without you. The next generation of entrepreneurial Jewish leaders depends on it.
For us on campus, the past few days are just the beginning. Our work now is to build upon the success of the weekend and use it to positively impact the campus at large. We have developed an incredible semester full of new ways to engage with Israel on campus. We look forward to sharing future successes with you.
B’shalom,
Rabbi Mike Uram
Director, Penn Hillel
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