The Board of Directors of CBH calls upon the university to uphold its principles of community
On Monday, Oct. 8, the leadership of Congregation Bet Haverim (CBH) was alerted about a graphic anti-Semitic flyer that was posted at multiple locations on the UC Davis campus. This flyer, which blamed Jews for “anti-American” treatment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, was also found at other college campuses in California and on the East Coast. The cartoonish imagery intentionally recalls the chilling Nazi propaganda designed to turn European sentiment against the Jewish people in the pre-World War II era.
This event accompanies another set of highly disturbing hate incidents in our community. During the past week, violent, racist threats and Nazi imagery were found at Sacramento City College, threatening to “kill them all” in reference to African Americans. We know more than ever that all communities must stand together rather than fall separately, and we condemn hateful scapegoating of ANY population, not only that of the Jewish community.
These events are happening where we live and work, and they are affecting our senses of well-being and safety. The Congregation Bet Haverim Board of Directors strongly urges the UC Davis administration to conduct a serious and thorough investigation of the distribution of these flyers and to report back to the larger community on its findings. We recognize the work that Chancellor Gary May has done, and we call upon him to further build on his promise to uphold the UC Davis Principles of Community by actively assisting the Jewish student body and all other marginalized students who are feeling victimized or unsafe. Additionally, CBH requests that the City of Davis and the Davis Joint Unified School District actively participate in creating strong and proactive policies to deter hate crimes.
CBH stands ready to work side by side with any or all of these institutions to address this most recent spate of anti-Semitism and racism. CBH simply will not remain silent while any group is threatened in this manner.
Rabbi Wolfe and Hillel staff are available to support any UC Davis community member. CBH seeks active communication from and with the university regarding this matter and others like it. Let us work together against crimes of bigotry and racism.
Written by: Board of Directors, Congregation Bet Haverim
