World
Campus Remedy
ZOA fights to protect students from religious discrimination.
Don Cohen
Special to the Jewish News
T
here should be no excuse for reli-
gious discrimination any more
than for racial or ethnic discrimina-
tion," said Kenneth Marcus, director of the
Initiative on Anti-Semitism at the Institute
for Jewish Community Research in San
Francisco.
Marcus spoke in Detroit on Oct. 5 as the
guest of the Zionist Organization of America,
which has led efforts to amend Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect students
from religious discrimination. The ZOA-
Michigan Region hosted his local appear-
ance.
As the former staff director of the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights, Marcus had
seen anti-Jewish "patterns of behavior that
are so severe, persistent and
or pervasive, that they violate
the civil rights of students." But
there was no legislative remedy
for Jewish students, or other
religious students, as the current
law only covers "race, color, or
national origin."
"I don't want to be alarmist
— a lot of kids are doing fine —
but what is happening to some
is unacceptable," Marcus said,
explaining that at some cam-
puses, "visibly Jewish" students
wearing a yarmulke or certain jewelry or
advocating for Israel have become targets.
"I have spoken with students from the
state of Michigan who have been extremely
uncomfortable," he added.
"Civil rights law is not the
only way or the best way" to
deal with such issues. He urged
students, faculty and adminis-
trators to create a safe campus
environment. "But it's a way of
changing the culture and letting
administrators know Jewish
students should be treated
equally',' he said.
He said 13 Jewish organiza-
tions are supporting the effort
and are reaching out to other
religious groups.
U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., and
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Penn., have co-
introduced legislation and are seeking co-
sponsors.
In a Sept. 24 press release announcing the
legislation, Sherman said, "The law specifi-
cally forbids discrimination on the basis of
religion in virtually every other area, includ-
ing employment and housing, and its about
time it protects our students as well.
"This legislation will give the Department
of Education clear jurisdiction over all inci-
dents involving harassment on the basis of
religion and will assure all of our students
are equally protected." E
To contact your national legislators visit
www.mizoa.org/contacting-congress.
Andrew C. Richner has been a friend of the
Jewish community throughout his service as
University of Michigan Regents
• When Regent Richner became aware that the University Press was
distributing books for a notorious anti-Semitic and anti-Israel
publisher, including a book urging the abolition of Israel and
replacement with a singular state with no ties to Jewish people, he
led efforts to terminate the distribution contract.
• When a campaign was initiated to force the University of Michigan
to eliminate investments in Israel, Regent Richner stood in firm
opposition to the anti-Semitic rhetoric to defend successfully the
University's right to invest in Israel.
• When confronted with efforts to use University resources to support
those advocating violence against Israel, Regent Richner objected.
On Nov. 2 Please Cast your Vote to Re-elect
Andrew Cm Richner
University of Michigan Regent
Paid for by Andrew Richner for Regent, 718 Berkshire Road, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
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38 October 28 • 2010
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