ROCHESTER, NY — Wanted posters depicting several Jewish faculty members at the University of Rochester recently appeared on campus, sparking outrage among many in the Jewish community.

“My first reaction was one of disbelief,” said Meredith Dragon, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. “I mean, I think it was targeted by the Jewish community and those who have close relationships in the Jewish community.”

The posters label certain university professors and staff as “wanted” for alleged war crimes related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. One of those targeted was Joy Getnick of Hillel at the U of R. She asked that her face not be shown, but said in a statement that the posters “spread harmful anti-Semitic ideas about the Jewish people and Israel. They are promoting the spread of anti-Semitic hatred on our campus in an attempt to sow fear.”

“Whether one is Jewish or not, the kinds of things that people are accused of, you know, are still anti-Semitic tropes, whether one is Jewish or not,” Dragon said. “So, you know, the tone and, and the disinformation, the misinformation, and really the call to incite violence, whether one is Jewish or not.”

The student-run U of R chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace says they don’t know who put up the posters, but “the administration’s hasty jump to attribute these posters to anti-Semitism, without any proper investigation, appears to be an attempt to censor any discussion about the University of Rochester’s complicity in the Israeli military’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. Anti-Semitism is bigotry or hatred against the Jewish people based on their identity, and we unequivocally oppose and work to dismantle it along with all forms of oppression. However, it is not anti-Semitic to criticize the Israeli government and army for committing war crimes.”

“I think the university has a lot of work to do with the Jewish community to make sure people feel safe and secure on campus, because right now they don’t,” Dragon said.

Dragon said Jewish students who feel unsafe can contact the Jewish Federation and get in touch with its director of community safety.

The university president also denounced the posters in a statement, calling them divisive, intimidating and contrary to their values ​​as a university.

Statement by President Sarah Mangelsdorf:

“I want to be as clear as possible that the University of Rochester strongly condemns the recent display of ‘Wanted’ posters targeting senior university leaders and members of the faculty, staff and Board of Trustees. This act is disturbing, divisive and intimidating and goes against our values ​​as a university.
“Furthermore, several of those depicted appear to have been targeted because they are members of our Jewish community. We consider this to be anti-Semitism, which will not be tolerated at our University. That’s not who we are. This goes against everything we stand for and we have an obligation to reject it.
“The Department of Public Safety is conducting an ongoing investigation and is exhausting all available resources to gather evidence and hold those involved accountable for their actions. As DPS Chief Quchee Collins said in his message yesterday, our priority as a university is to maintain a respectful and safe community for everyone.”

Hillel released the following statement:

“Last Sunday, hundreds of deeply disturbing ‘wanted’ posters appeared on campus, targeting our Hillel director, Jewish faculty and staff, and university administrators. Please know that these posters did not target or mention students, and there is no known threat to Jewish students at this time.
“These deeply disturbing posters, which disproportionately featured Jewish faculty and staff, spread harmful anti-Semitic ideas about the Jewish people and Israel. They are promoting the spread of anti-Semitic hatred on our campus in an attempt to sow fear.
“Since the posters were discovered, we have been in close contact with the University administration, as well as the Jewish Federation of Rochester, the ADL, Hillel International and the Secure Community Network – the security organization for the US Jewish community. A robust investigation is ongoing involving many levels of law enforcement. We hope the investigation will be swift and thorough, leading to accountability.
“We also hope that this is an opportunity for the university to reflect on what is needed to instill a meaningful education about the Jewish people and anti-Semitism so that UR is a place where Jewish life can fully thrive and safe.
“Despite these challenges, we at UR Hillel remain committed to enhancing vibrant Jewish life on campus. Now more than ever is the time to celebrate our shared heritage and traditions and feel the strength of our special UR Jewish community.”

Jewish Voice for Peace, UR Chapter statement:

“While we do not know who put up these posters or the intent behind them, we view these posters as an attempt to shed light on the support of administrators and teachers for the Israeli military’s destruction of Gaza. These posters singled out Jewish and non-Jewish administrators and teachers and explicitly condemned their support for the Israeli military and government.
“The administration’s hasty leap to attribute these posters to anti-Semitism, without any proper investigation, appears to be an attempt to censor any discussion of the University of Rochester’s complicity in the Israeli military’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. Anti-Semitism is bigotry or hatred against the Jewish people based on their identity, and we unequivocally oppose and work to dismantle it along with all forms of oppression. However, it is not anti-Semitic to criticize the Israeli government and military for committing war crimes.
“We will continue to peacefully protest our University’s complicity in the Israeli military’s destruction of Gaza and urge all members of the campus community to join us in peaceful opposition to genocide and war.”

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