Queen’s College Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Purge of Jewish Staff

Queen’s College is currently dealing with a lawsuit that accuses the City University of New York (CUNY) of eliminating its accounting department following a rise in anti-Semitism on campus.

Helen Schwarb, a Jewish professor who has been with the university for over ten years, asserts that she was among six Jewish instructors let go in May 2023. She describes this as part of what she refers to in court documents as a campaign to “clean Jewish staff homes.” The legal action highlights that this decision occurred in a campus atmosphere marred by “anti-Semitic hate speech and violence” in the aftermath of Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

Schwarb, aged 66 and residing in Rockland County, notes that since 2012, she has consistently received excellent performance evaluations and taught two to three courses each semester.

In a media statement, the university cited declining enrollment and budgetary limitations as reasons for the staffing changes. Schwarb, however, contends that their explanation is untenable. “My class was full,” she stated in court documents, pointing out that her position was filled by someone less experienced.

The lawsuit also claims that CUNY failed to address the rise in anti-Semitic incidents on campus, stating that the administration has ignored a “barbuilt” of hate speech and threats aimed at Jewish students and faculty since the violent attack by Hamas on Israel.

Queen’s College reported a 39% decrease in enrollment in the Accounting Bureau from 2020 to 2024, including an 18% drop in just one year from 2022 to 2023. Critics argue that the administration’s inaction in the face of increasing hostility can lead to a hostile environment, pushing students away.

As of now, Queen’s College has not provided any public comments regarding the ongoing lawsuit.