9 Ways for University Presidents to Atone During the High Holidays

30.09.2024 18:16

The Algemeiner

The “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” at Columbia University, located in the Manhattan borough of New York City, on April 25, 2024. Photo: Reuters Connect

During the month of Elul, Jews begin the process of atoning for our sins by reflecting on our action and asking for forgiveness.

It’s a meaningful tradition — and I think we should ask the same of others, including university presidents and administrators.

I’m not suggesting that universities need to repent more than others. I’m just saying that universities are supposed to set an example of ethical conduct — of noble aspirations — so why not start with an ancient tradition that will make universities reflect on their actions?

I’m not putting all universities in the same camp. Some need repentance more than others. With that caveat, here are nine suggestions for where many universities could begin their spiritual journey of repentance:

Forgive us for the sin of choosing professors based on their political ideology, not merit.
Forgive us for the sin of allowing professors to hide 3,800 years of Jewish history from their students, and then indoctrinate them with illogical, ahistorical lies that promote violence.
Forgive us for the sin of allowing syllabi full of books that are brimming with politicized fallacies and historical distortions.
Forgive us for the sin of allowing the toxic ideology of “critical theory” to destroy the main function of a university: critical thinking and the search for truth.
Forgive us for the sin of promoting the dominance of race; the privileging of some religions over others; and the bigotry of low expectations for all students.
Forgive us for the sin of allowing virulent antisemitic groups like Students for Justice in Palestine to dictate policy.
Forgive us for the sin of allowing viciously antisemitic speakers to lecture about Israel, and promote violence with their malicious lies.
Forgive us for the sin of canceling speakers who don’t adhere to our prevailing political ideology.
Forgive us for the sin of allowing keffiyeh-garbed rioters — both students and professors — to fly terrorist flags; burn American and Israeli flags; block Jewish students from entering buildings; assault, harass, and spit on Jewish students; and normalize hatred and violence against Jews, both in the classroom and out.

Sure, it’s a lot of work. But that is what actual spiritual growth looks like. Isn’t that what universities are looking for?

Imagine the privilege they will feel of rebuilding their universities based upon the original precepts of academic freedom and civil discourse, and the unhindered pursuit of knowledge — through truth, reason, history, and ethics.

Perhaps most of all, imagine what all of this will do for the future of not just our children and this country, but of humanity.

To borrow the words of one of our greatest thinkers, Albert Einstein (who would now be called an “oppressor” or “settler-colonist”): “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

Or perhaps more apropos: “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”

The only chance our university system has for redemption is a full return to the ethical principles that make education possible, and that includes, above all, an honest search for truth.

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