Columbia Faculty Member Proposes “Antisemitism Fund” Amid Campus Protests
A Columbia University faculty member has sarcastically proposed the creation of an “Antisemitism Fund” to be distributed to Jewish students and faculty, suggesting that heightened accusations of antisemitism could lead to increased university funding. The proposal, framed as a response to campus events, highlights ongoing tensions and debates surrounding the interpretation of antisemitism in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
James Schamus, a faculty member at Columbia University, has put forth a satirical proposal for a university-funded initiative. In a communication, Schamus suggested that the university could establish an “Antisemitism Fund” to be allocated to Jewish students and faculty. This idea appears to be a commentary on the perceived incentives for raising concerns about antisemitism on campus, especially in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Schamus referenced a specific incident involving Shai Davidai, a faculty member who addressed a crowd at Columbia, and the Columbia OU-JLIC director, who reportedly contacted Jewish students via WhatsApp, urging them to leave campus. The faculty member’s remarks imply a connection between the intensity of antisemitism claims and potential financial benefits for the university,stating,”the more you go all-out weaponizing antisemitism in the context of Israel’s mass murder spree,the more Columbia $$$ you earn.”
The proposal also included a cautionary note regarding the management of such a fund, expressing concern that external consulting groups like Boston Consulting Group, Orbis Operations, or Safe Reach Solutions might be hired. Schamus likened the potential distribution of funds by these entities to a “hunger Games” scenario, suggesting a desire for a more direct or equitable distribution process.
