By Ilana Williams

A swastika was drawn on a dorm door whiteboard on the eighth floor of Elkton Hall Sept. 10, two days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, according to Rabbi and Hillel executive director Ari Israel and Cambridge Community director Jack Breffle.

The week following the incident, eighth floor Elkton residents received a notification about a mandatory floor meeting to offer support and emphasize the importance of an inclusive community. 

“Hateful incidents such as these are appalling and hurt all of us in the community,” Breffle said in a letter to Elkton eighth floor residents. “As students living in the residence halls, each of you deserves respect and to feel and know you belong and you have a rightful place in our community.” 

In the past, the University of Maryland Hillel brought in speakers and co-sponsored events with the university to help raise awareness of antisemitism, according to Israel. He said a simple definition of antisemitism is when someone is negatively targeted for being a Jew.

“There are roughly 5,500 to 6,000 Jewish students on campus, and there are 50,000 individuals on campus, and the overwhelming majority of people are accepting and appreciate diversity,” Israel said. “Thank God [antisemitic incidents] happens very rarely. There is an extremely small number that is not as accepting.” 

According to the university’s Bias Reporting Dashboard, 19 hate bias incidents were reported to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Bias Incident Support Services between Aug. 28, 2021 and Oct. 3, 2021, with 15.8% being religiously targeted. 

“I’m trying to work with the university right now and have a diversity of inclusion and engaging campus in education and awareness,” Israel said. “There are minorities on campus who are oppressed and attacked and we stand in solidarity with them.” 

Jacob Felix, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said he has never experienced antisemitism on campus as a Jewish student, but heard about the most recent incident during Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of forgiveness.

“It’s a bit disturbing that would have happened,” Felix said. “But the general atmosphere on campus has been so welcoming and friendly that it honestly doesn’t even hit me so deeply. It’s not something that I’m happy about, but it’s just such a rare occurrence so it’s surprising.” 

Felix would like the university to take the necessary steps to make sure that antisemitic incidents don’t happen again but doesn’t know what adequate further action would look like.

“In terms of the broader world, I don’t know what the university could possibly do to make students more aware of what’s happening in terms of antisemitism nationally and globally,” Felix said. “I think perhaps there’s room for information sessions and awareness campaigns.” 

Felix said he does not believe there is a desperate need for Hillel to get involved and hold events for students regarding antisemitism.

“The students on campus are safe and feel embraced,” Israel said. “Occasionally there are individuals who try to disturb that, but that doesn’t disturb the overall welcome atmosphere of the university.” 

Despite Hillel’s support, senior English and government and policy double major Lily Dondoshansky was frustrated when Israel informed her of the swastika on North campus. 

“It was kind of jarring to hear about the incident during the High Holidays,” Dondoshansky said. “I like to take the holidays as a time to move forward into the next year, but it’s really hurtful and difficult to move forward.” 

Dondoshansky said she never personally experienced antisemitism, but she still feels affected whenever an antisemitic incident occurs.

“It’s a reminder that there is antisemitism on campus,” she said. 

Dondoshansky said she felt upset last year during finals when UMD students posted anti-Israel views on social media.

“The most frustrating part about antisemitism is not being included in the definition of progress and being left behind and ignored,” Dondoshansky said. 

Students who may have experienced antisemitism should reach out to the university and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as Hillel and Jewish resources on campus, Israel said.

Featured image: An antisemitic hate-bias incident was reported in Elkton Hall on Sept. 10. Maryland Hillel hopes to work with the university to create awareness and education on antisemitism. Photo by Ilana Williams.