Reed College in Portland is investigating an antisemitic attack that happened on campus earlier this month.
During finals week on May 5, a student’s mezuzah — a sacred marker placed on doorframes of Jewish homes — was vandalized. It happened as demonstrators on campus had been protesting Israel’s military action in Gaza.
The following night, rocks were thrown through the same student’s open dorm window, and she was hit in the head. The student has since left Reed College over concerns for her safety, and classes have ended for the school year.
The Reed chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine organized the protest. The group released a statement on Instagram condemning the violence and saying, “Acts of hate will never have a place in our liberation movement, and acts of antisemitism will never have a place within Reed SJP.”
In an email to the Reed community, Vice President and Dean for Institutional Diversity Phyllis Esposito and Vice President for Student Life Karnell McConnell-Black said, “This is a clear act of antisemitism directed at a student on our campus, and that is unacceptable and unlawful behavior.” They asked for assistance identifying the perpetrator.
Concerns about hostile environments for Jewish students have been rising nationally. About 8% of the Reed student body is Jewish, according to estimates from Hillel, an international Jewish student organization that works with Reed students.
While other colleges in Portland have seen large protests against the ongoing war, Reed’s have been more subdued. No arrests have been made on campus.