Baruch College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), has been criticized for attempting to block a campus celebration of Rosh Hashanah over safety concerns. However, this decision was reversed after being called out for caving in to anti-Israel agitators instead of protecting Jewish students.
The college administration informed Jewish students that they could not guarantee their security during the September 26 event celebrating the Jewish New Year due to the presence of other individuals who might want to harm, intimidate, or harass them. This decision was met with outrage from Baruch trustees, faculty, and Jewish students alike.
CUNY officials only changed their minds after New York Rep. Ritchie Torres joined forces with these groups to push back against the administration’s stance. In a letter sent to CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and Interim NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon, Torres accused the college of “under-policing” antisemitism on campus and called for an end to the denial of religious liberty.
The congressman urged CUNY and city leaders to act with urgency in addressing the rise in Jew hatred occurring on campuses across New York State. He highlighted several instances of antisemitic harassment, including a recent incident where pro-Hamas protesters taunted Jewish Baruch freshmen at a dinner hosted by Hillel International.
The Baruch College administration denied that they tried to block the Rosh Hashanah celebration and stated that a campus festival would continue as planned on September 26. The college also reiterated its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
Rep. Torres called upon both state and city officials, CUNY, and the NYPD to work together with CAFI (CUNY Alliance for Inclusion) in developing a strategy to protect Jewish students from the rising tide of antisemitism on campus. The NYPD has assured that they are committed to ensuring public safety at all New York City colleges and universities.
