30 | OCTOBER 3 • 2024 J
N
T
he University of Michigan
and Ann Arbor Police report-
ed two incidents of assault
involving Jewish students and Jewish
residences over the weekend of Sept.
21-22. However, both stated that at
this time, it is inconclusive that the
incidents were biased or antisemitic
in nature.
Earlier in September, a 19-year-old
male student was attacked late one
evening when he was approached by
a group of individuals who asked if he
was Jewish. When he said
yes, he was physically and
verbally assaulted. This
investigation is ongoing,
and no suspects have
been apprehended.
In a letter released
to the University of
Michigan community Monday, Sept.
23, University of Michigan President
Santa Ono gave the following
details:
“
At 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21,
a brief verbal exchange took place
between a male student and an indi-
vidual who was with a larger group
on the front porch of an off-campus
house occupied by members of a his-
torically Jewish fraternity. The male
student was punched once by the sus-
pect, who then fled.
“
At approximately 1 a.m. Sunday,
Sept. 22, a group returned and threw
glass bottles at the house.”
Ono stated that both incidents are
being thoroughly investigated and
that, at this time, there is no indica-
tion that either incident was motivat-
ed by antisemitism.
He wrote: “I pledge to you all that
I will do everything in my power to
stand up against antisemitism and
protect our Jewish community. I’m
fully engaged in this matter. I have
received regular updates throughout
the weekend and, along with my
leadership team, treat any allegation
of identity-based violence with the
utmost of seriousness.”
Ono wrote that, because the inci-
dents took place off campus, the
Ann Arbor Police Department is
taking the lead in the investigation,
and the University of Michigan
Division of Public Safety and
Security is providing support. Both
agencies are significantly increasing
patrols in the area and deploying
additional security tools, including
video surveillance.
ANN ARBOR POLICE STATEMENT
On Sept. 23, the Ann Arbor Police
Department (AAPD) announced on
X that it is “actively investigating two
assaults over the weekend within the
1000 block of East University. In both
incidents, the victims were students of
the University of Michigan. A group
of individuals in front of a residence
confronted the students. At this point,
the reasons and motives for these
assaults have yet to be determined.”
AAPD on Sept. 24 on X stated:
“Over several weeks, the Ann Arbor
Police Department and the University
of Michigan Police Department col-
lectively met with representatives
from the Anti-Defamation League,
University of Michigan, Chabad
House of Ann Arbor, the Jewish
Resource Center and its students to
reaffirm our commitment to ensuring
the safety of students and the broad-
er community. Both departments
will continue coordinated efforts to
increase patrols in the areas surround-
ing the campus to enhance security
and provide additional support.”
‘SHMIRA’ SECURITY GROUP
On Sunday afternoon, Sept. 22,
the University of Michigan Jewish
Resource Center released the following
statement on its Instagram account:
“This weekend, on Friday evening,
a Jewish student was assaulted outside
of a Jewish fraternity senior house.
The attack resulted in the student
needing to go to the hospital to receive
stitches. The Jewish Resource Center
rabbis have been in contact with the
student and are providing him with
any support he needs. The police have
been involved and are investigating the
details of this targeted attack.
”
The Jewish Resource Center also
announced on Instagram it would
be holding an emergency meeting to
organize a “shmira” security group to
support Jewish students.
It stated: “The Center is seeking
50-100 volunteers who are willing
to walk or drive people to and from
buildings and homes on campus.
”
Rabbi Fully Eisenberger of the JRC
said a WhatsApp group will be created
where students can join and volunteer
to walk other Jewish students on and
off campus at night so they will not
have to walk alone.
Eisenberger said he and his staff
have been “jammed” with requests for
Jewish Resource Center to offer
walking buddies and self-defense training.
Recent Attacks
Leave U-M Jewish
Students Wary
Rabbi Fully
Eisenberger
STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
University
of Michigan
Ann Arbor
Police
“I PLEDGE TO YOU ALL THAT I WILL
DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO
STAND UP AGAINST ANTISEMITISM AND
PROTECT OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY.”
— SANTA ONO, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN PRESIDENT