I am writing in response to an Aug. 28 op-ed by former GW student Sabrina Soffer, “The DOJ Confirmed Why I’m Suing George Washington University.”
GW is not the hotbed of antisemitism Soffer makes it out to be. In my 35 years of teaching at GW, I have never experienced antisemitism at my university — not once. I say that as one of GW’s most visible Jews. I’m director of its Judaic Studies program, and I’m one of the only faculty members who wears a kippah at all times. I have also taught thousands of students over the years at GW, and not once, before Oct. 7, did a Jewish student ever complain to me about antisemitism at GW.
The events of Oct. 7 did result in hostility to Jewish students from fellow students and some faculty members, but the university acted against such behavior. It asked the Metropolitan Police Department to clear the pro-Palestinian encampment at its start, though MPD refused to do so initially before it finally acted. Over the following months, GW sanctioned two dozen students for their actions. Anti-Israel organizations were suspended or had their registration revoked. The university also strengthened its anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies that help protect our Jewish community.
Soffer complains about the anti-Israel bias in some courses at GW, but that problem exists in universities throughout the country, and so it cannot be solved by GW alone. The column also doesn’t acknowledge the professors at GW who are supporters of Israel, including myself.
The student also does herself no favors by hitching her wagon to the DOJ. It claimed that its accusation of GW’s antisemitic bias was based on an “investigation.” Yet, neither I nor my Judaic Studies colleagues were contacted about this investigation, nor am I aware that any university officials were, which means that it wasn’t much of an investigation at all.
Robert Eisen
The writer is professor of World Religions and director of Judaic Studies at George Washington University.
Yet, neither I nor my Judaic Studies colleagues were contacted about this investigation, nor am I aware that any university officials were, which means that it wasn’t much of an investigation at all.
More likely, the evidence was so overwhelming that the DOJ saw no need to contact this author or his colleagues.
It’s both disheartening and disgusting to see these professors who are biased, and in their own self interest as employees of the university are disparaging students and discounting their experiences with antisemitism at GW.
It’s shameful that Prof. Eisen discounts the experience of students who have been the victims of antisemitism at GWU. He either believes that his own experience is the only one that matters or perhaps his piece was written from a biased perspective as a GWU employee doing the bidding of the university. Really disheartening and disgusting.
Professor Eisen was in a meeting with Zionist students listening to their fear in the classroom and campus.
In addition professor Eisen well aware on how the university deliberately failed to address it.
Professor Eisen is a tool for GW to cover up their antisemitic propaganda.