Photo courtesy of Declan Langton ‘22
The Jewish Student Union held an open Shabbat service outside Abbey Chapel on Oct. 15, calling for allies to support and listen to Jewish students.
By Sabrina Rapoport ’25
Staff Writer
Content warning: this article discusses antisemitism and the Holocaust.
On Oct. 6, 2021, a Nazi swastika was found in the third floor bathroom of 1837 Hall. As a Jewish student at Mount Holyoke College, I was hurt, but not shocked. This incident is living proof that antisemitism is not dead, neither on campus nor beyond.
As a Jewish student, feeling unsafe in my own space is not a new concept.
This incident is not the first antisemitic act to happen to the Mount Holyoke community. In 2020, after an anonymous account called @mhcpayscampoforthis posted pictures of visitors on campus, which was at the time closed, members of the South Hadley community started engaging and brought the page to light of a neo-Nazi blogger. The author of this blog, however, was not a member of the Mount Holyoke community. The danger of the situation was more remote than in the most recent act of antisemitism; the bigot who drew that symbol on the 1837 bathroom, however, is most likely not a distant figure. This could be someone who lives with us, eats with us or attends class with us. The perpetrator has demonstrated intolerance and hatred against Jewish students. No amount of Instagram posts, emails from professors or petitions can make us feel truly protected from bigotry against our people.
Raven Joseph ’25, a non-Jewish student, said, “You come to Mount Holyoke thinking it’ll be a safe space where most of the ‘bad things’ go away, so it was unexpected to see this happen in a place you call home,” Joseph said.
“I still felt the instability caused by the attack although this did not happen to my community, as I empathize with my friends who it has affected,” Joseph continued.
The administration, along with Public Safety, has started an investigation to find who drew the [Nazi] swastika, as announced by President Stephens in her statement released on Oct. 7. I personally applaud the initiative, but as a Jewish student, I wonder what the administration can successfully do. When most antisemitic acts are displayed online, and no true regulation can be placed over social media, my desires for action fall flat most of the time. Hopefully, this person will be caught and will endure the consequences.
In reality, it feels like Jewish people are rarely heard, and while I appreciate the spotlight provided by social media, sometimes I wonder whether the sentiments are legitimate.
Emma Mair ’23, co-chair of the JSU said, “In my three years at Mount Holyoke, previous antisemitic incidents have mostly occurred online largely with students reposting antisemitic infographics.” She continued, “There was an Instagram post that said that Zionists were racists and fascists and Jews should ‘get the fuck out’ of MHC. This was on an anonymous Instagram account.”
These infographics, these comments and the anonymity provided by social media breeds the antagonizing of Jewish students. From current accusations of favoritism by the administration because of the fast response after the Nazi swastika was discovered, to photos of the symbol being shared, Jewish students cannot seem to gain support from their peers, and when they do, it is conditional. A great example of this conditional status is the JSU’s post regarding the incident in 1837. Their Instagram, as of Oct. 17, only has 515 followers, while the post informing people about the 1837 incident has 910 likes, making it the most interacted with post on the page. By Oct. 7, it seemed like almost everyone I knew had reposted this infographic, but I have heard nothing from them since. Support is not true if it is transient, rather it is a demonstration of performative activism and following a social media wave. By only jumping on trends because you’re afraid to be criticized by your followers, you are being conditional in your support, demonstrating that you will only support a movement when it is beneficial to you. The true way to be supportive of Jewish students is giving them a platform, and not stopping once the issue has left your mind, because it is undoubtedly still very present for us.
Here is the easiest way to support Jewish students, or any minority student for that matter: listen, then act. Don’t repost the Nazi swastika, it is unnecessary to understand the harm and it is extremely triggering for many. Don’t generalize Jewish students or promote antisemitic tropes; not all of us are supportive of Israel or come from wealth. Instead, attend the JSU’s open and informative Shabbats, avoid eating at the Kosher station during Jewish holidays and provide a safe space for your Jewish friends. As Giovanna Wiseman ’22, co-chair of the JSU said, “We are such a small minority on this campus and in the world, and we need the help of our allies to eradicate hate.”
Silent allies are not any better than those who are indifferent; enabling this behavior allows for Jewish students to be in danger in their own homes. We need active allies, those who go to protests, confront their personal biases and speak out when they see antisemitism.
If you see an act of bias, report it to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion on their website, https://www.mtholyoke.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/bias_incidents.