Jewish students at Rutgers University in New Jersey were exposed to and harmed by the university’s “anti-Semitic lab,” according to a lawsuit filed this week.
Professor Rifka Schaefer is suing Rutgers University, accusing the school of failing to protect the safety of Jewish students following a series of anti-Semitic incidents in recent years. He argued that this suggests that the government is condoning the [which] A copy of the complaint reviewed by Fox News Digital says that Rutgers’ decision to “deny Jewish students their right to an appropriate educational environment” in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas. “The hostility between the two countries has spiraled out of control.”
According to the complaint, an escalating series of incidents led to this conclusion: “The message to Schaefer and other Jewish students was clear: ‘Don’t support Israel; we know where you sleep. “There is.”
Schaefer, an Orthodox Jew who identifies as LGBTQ+ and uses pronouns “they” and “them,” has responded to anti-Semitic incidents that Schaefer said have occurred on campus since Oct. 7. The university filed a lawsuit after the university failed to respond. In the fall of 2023, Schaefer enrolled as an undergraduate at Rutgers University, and starting in 2023, he enrolled in the 2024 academic year in Demarest, colloquially known as the “gay dorm,” where he was one of the few Jewish students living in the hall. 1 person.
According to the complaint, Schaefer was the target of numerous anti-Semitic incidents while living in Demarest Hall, where most students actively choose to live rather than accept dormitories. Demarest Hall is “very different from a traditional on-campus dormitory,” he said. This is as part of our housing assignment, which is primarily intended to accommodate students who wish to become part of a close-knit liberal arts community. Residents have the option to meet weekly to discuss relevant topics in the humanities, including history/political science, visual arts, film studies, improvisation, sex, sexuality, and gender.
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“These groups foster an active and diverse community, as well as a remarkable pride in living in Demarest,” the lawsuit states. “Demarest students also frequently host events such as coffee houses, art shows, drag shows, and band nights.”
“Demarest Hall also offers inclusive housing options, including allowing for shared roommate combinations and providing gender-neutral bathrooms on the second floor,” the complaint added.
Graffiti outside Demarest Hall (Rifka Schaefer)
Schaefer was reportedly drawn to life at Demarest Hall because of these unique features. As someone who has struggled with feeling accepted, Schaefer felt the recognition that all individuals are accepted, regardless of their identity, was a perfect fit, according to the complaint.
However, Mr. Schaefer felt less comfortable with the situation starting around October 15th, and a meeting with residents, including Mr. Schaefer, was held in Demarest Hall, where at least one student said that in October, a large number of He expressed his gratitude that there were no deaths. 7. Other students agreed with this comment by “snapping” it. This was a typical way for Demarest Hall residents to show their consent.
“Other students also made very offensive comments about Israel,” the complaint says. “As a result of this act by his fellow residents, Mr. Schaefer left the meeting feeling frightened and ‘trembling’.”
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Later, a mezuzah, a Jewish prayer scroll that had been affixed to the doorpost of a Jewish home, was removed from the doorpost of a Jewish student dormitory room in Demarest Hall. It was later found in the women’s bathroom and interpreted as a “clearly anti-Semitic act,” according to the complaint.
“After this anti-Semitic incident occurred and was reported to Rutgers University, Rutgers University instituted additional security features to protect Jewish students living in Demarest Hall, including Mr. Schaefer. He did not do so,” the complaint states. “These incidents made Rutgers professors aware that Jewish students in Demarest Hall were being targeted.”
Just recently, Schaefer said she woke up on the morning of March 28 and saw a poster posted just outside her room, in which a Jewish student had posted two days earlier a campaign against Israel and the Jewish community. It included photos of Shafer attending an event to show her support, the complaint said. . Around the photo were the words, “Liberate Palestine,” “Liberate Gaza,” and “Vote ‘Yes’ on Divestment,” in reference to the BDS referendum being held at Rutgers at the time.
“Mr. Schaefer was horrified when he saw this poster posted right outside his dorm room, started crying, and walked down the hallway to see the same poster posted all over the second floor of Demarest Hall. “I saw this,” the complaint states.
Schaefer’s attorney, Corey Rosbort, told Fox News Digital that there are no safe spaces left for American Jews in college.
“Rutgers University celebrates Demarest Hall as a place that embraces all people,” he said. “The fact that Rifka was targeted in this dormitory shows that there are no safe spaces for Jews on American college campuses.”
Starting in early April, unaffiliated faculty members and outside agitators began illegally occupying “encampments” on campus, according to the complaint, and Schaefer personally participated in the anti-Semitic and hostile acts. He was reportedly present to observe the incident.
Rutgers University students occupy tents and hold a rally outside Murray Hall as part of a protest in support of Palestinians affected by the war in Gaza. (Alexander Lewis/MyCentralJersey/USA TODAY NETWORK)
On May 2, 2024, Schaefer and other Jewish students were directly targeted by a woman, believed to be a Rutgers University student, who was participating in the encampment. The person “taunted Schaefer and other Jewish students, saying, ‘Hitler would have loved you,'” and added, “German Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto who spoke out against the Nazi regime for their actions. “He tried to defend Hamas while equating it with Hamas.” said the lawsuit.
Schaefer filed a student conduct complaint and a bias incident report regarding this incident, but no disciplinary action has been taken against the student or the organization regarding this incident.
Rutgers University told Fox News Digital that it does not comment on pending litigation. university message Rutgers University-New Brunswick President Francine Conway noted the findings of an investigation into related cases.
“At Rutgers University, we abhor anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance based on religion, national origin, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or political opinion,” the statement said. “The university takes all allegations of bias, intolerance, and hatred seriously.”
“Rutgers University has policies in place regarding the reporting and investigation of bias incidents. When a bias incident is reported to us, we thoroughly investigate and, if necessary, conduct a thorough investigation. “We will take appropriate steps, including cooperating with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to ensure the safety of Rutgers community members,” the statement concluded.
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