Anti-Semitism at Columbia Teachers College

(Source: Wiki Commons, Attribution: Bohao Zhao, No Changes Made)

On Wednesday, November 28th, Columbia’s Teachers College Professor Elizabeth Midlarsky walked towards her office to discover that she was the victim of an anti-Semitic act.

At approximately 1 P.M., Elizabeth Midlarsky, who is a Jewish professor who teaches courses in Psychology and Education, and teaches and conducts research on the Holocaust, found two swastikas and the word “YID” spray-painted outside her Columbia University office. As the entryway to Midlarsky’s office is not shared with other offices, it’s more than likely the perpetrator conducted this act with Midlarsky in mind.

After discovering the vandalism, Midlarsky notes that “I was in shock…I stopped for a moment, because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.” Soon after this horrifying discovery, Midlarsky contacted the University’s Security and was visited by the New York Police Deparment (NYPD). The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is currently investigating this incident and is considering it an “aggravated harassment.”

The Columbia Spectator notes that the NYPD discovered a different staff member come through the same entryway at about 11:47 A.M., “but did not observe anything unusual at that time.”

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Professor Midlarsky has been the victim of anti-Semitism; in 2007 a swastika was spray-painted on her office door. However, unlike this previous incident, the recent vandalism caused her to note, “I’m usually not a fearful person, but they got me. I’m afraid.”

In response, President of Columbia’s Teachers College, Thomas Bailey, condemned the incident, stating: “We unequivocally condemn any expression of hatred, which has no place in our society. We are outraged and horrified by this act of aggression and use of this vile anti-Semitic symbol against a valued member of our community.” New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo also condemned the incident and directed the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist in the investigation. “I am disgusted by the abhorrent act of anti-Semitism and hate that occurred at Columbia University,” Governor Cuomo said. “In the wake of this incident, I stand together with Columbia University and the entire Jewish community of New York.  I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist in the investigation. We will hold those behind this act responsible to the full extent of the law, and we will rise above this hate.”

On Sunday night – the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah – Professor Midlarsky was the first to light the campus’s Hanukkah menorah. Campus Chabad Rabbi Yonah Blum stated: “As Hanukkah approaches this Sunday, we must stand as a light against the darkness of ignorance, hatred and discrimination.”