Tuesday, April 21, 1998
Anti-Semitic acts on the rise in Los Angeles
CRIME: Anti-Defamation League, Hillel work to combat bigotry at
UCLA
By Manoj Karnani
Daily Bruin Contributor
Anti-Semitism is a war that has not only transcended continents,
but has evaded time. It is an issue that still bears down on
millions of Jews around the world and continues to evoke painful
memories of yesterday’s martyrs.
Last year, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization
whose mission is to "stop the defamation of the Jewish people and
to secure justice and fair treatment of all citizens alike,"
reported that 65 of the 104 incidents of anti-Semitic acts in the
United States occurred in the city of Los Angeles.
Of those, there was one incident at UCLA.
"Because of L.A.’s makeup, we have always seen images of
discrimination and bigotry," said Jewish student Jesse Goldberg.
"It comes with the territory. It’s one of the effects of living in
a society that houses so many cultures."
Indeed, Los Angeles is no stranger to class struggle and racism.
With its very diversified and ethnic community, Los Angeles has
always been a breeding ground for new ideas and opinions.
In recent years, college campuses have been the vehicle for
anti-Semitism and prejudice, shifting the limelight toward Los
Angeles universities and colleges.
Abraham Foxman, the ADL national director, emphasized that the
anti-Semitism in our schools is a serious matter, one that must be
addressed with stern and effective leadership.
"Any campus that unwittingly permits itself to be used as a
breeding ground for bigotry and prejudice stifles the full
realization of human potential, which is the primary purpose of the
academic enterprise," he said.
For years, the ADL has worked closely with UCLA’s Jewish Hillel
Foundation, the Jewish Student Union, as well as students and
campus administrators to ensure that academic truth and integrity
is preserved.
Through various programs and services, the ADL has also learned
to respond and combat the ignorance and hate of anti-Semitism in
whatever guise it may appear.
"The disease of anti-Semitism persists, and indeed thrives. It
thrives in the deceptive scholarship of pseudo-historian David
Irving who deems the Holocaust little more than a myth," Foxman
said. "It thrives in the chronic defacing of suburban homes,
synagogues and cemeteries," he added.
With the latest figures indicating that Los Angeles is more
susceptible to anti-Semitic acts, ADL officials have been
attempting to understand the city’s situation and that of the local
campuses in order to prescribe a solution.
Among the problems specifically facing the UCLA Jewish community
is the lack of communication and understanding with the Muslim
Student Union.
"The one case that I remember was the campaign by the Muslim
Student Union on the Israel Independence Day, claiming 49 years of
oppression by the Jewish people upon the Muslims in Palestine. That
wasn’t in the least bit tactful," said Jewish Student Union
President Rachel Metson.
Although the relationship between the Jewish and Muslim
community in UCLA have been somewhat damaged throughout the year,
no altercations have transpired.
"Aside from the lack of dialogue between the two groups (Jewish
and Muslims), there isn’t much to say about anti-Semitism," said
Natalie Stern, a member of the Jewish Campus Service Corps.
"I also know that Jews in general have successfully integrated
into this society, and because of this, we’ll hopefully see less
anti-Semitism in the future," she added.
Although UCLA students should be firm and unbending toward
anti-Semitism persuasions, it remains a small issue on campus.
Students generally feel quite safe and secure on and around the
school, and haven’t had to really respond to any blatant
anti-Semitism as the report would indicate.
"I personally haven’t seen any clear, overt anti-Semitism here
at UCLA. I know that anti-Semitism is everywhere, it’s looming
around us, but it hasn’t become a big issue here," Metson said.