ALPHA EPSILON PI CALLS ON RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TO PROTECT JEWISH STUDENTS
Asks Alumni to Participate in Online Petition Event
(Indianapolis, IN) – Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity (AEPi), the world’s leading Jewish social fraternity, has called upon Rutgers University President Chancellor Christopher J. Molloy and Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Research and Academic Affairs Francine Conway to ensure that Jewish students are protected against antisemitism and violence.
Last week, Molloy and Conway issued a statement condemning antisemitism and, following pressure from some groups, issued a second statement implying that condemning antisemitism “failed to communicate support for our Palestinian community members.”
“This statement is an open invitation to perpetrate hate and violence against Jews,” said Alpha Epsilon Pi CEO Jim Fleischer. “The Rutgers administration must ensure the Jewish community that it will be protected and kept safe. Being unable to condemn antisemitism without being able to express support for the Palestinian community only makes the Rutgers campus a less safe space for the Jewish community.”
The Rutgers AEPi house was vandalized during a Holocaust Remembrance Event this spring. In a letter to Rutgers AEPi alumni, Fleischer has asked for support in calling on the administration to make Rutgers a safer space for the Jewish community. AEPi alumni are being asked to sign an online petition calling on the University administration to redouble its efforts to make the campus safe for Jewish students and to unconditionally condemn antisemitism.
In a statement last month, Fleischer stated, “Those assaulting Jews – either physically or verbally – are anti-Semites. There is no room for distinction.”
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About Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
Alpha Epsilon Pi is the world’s leading Jewish college fraternity, operating chapters on more than 175 college campuses in five countries. Founded in 1913, AEPi has more than 90,000 living alumni. While non-discriminatory, the fraternity’s mission – developing the future leaders of the Jewish communities – is demonstrated every day through acts of brotherhood, Tzedakah (charity), social awareness and support for Jewish communities and Israel.
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