At this critical moment, we cannot stay silent. We denounce the Trump Administration’s unconstitutional efforts to suppress Free Speech on campuses and its failure to hold accountable those who have created a hostile and unsafe environment for students through doxxing, social media attacks, and calls for dismissals of faculty and students. They are a direct assault on the civil liberties of all of us. Its threats to defund and take control of public universities should alarm us all.
We call on universities to protect their students and faculty from ICE and government intimidation and to uphold their independence in the face of these attacks.
As Jews, we also stand firmly against the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and other legacy Jewish organizations that applaud and support the actions of the government and falsely claim to represent our entire community.
We are outraged by the government’s unconstitutional and unlawful detainment and disappearance of Mahmoud Khalil and stand in solidarity with the millions who have mobilized—signing petitions, calling representatives, and taking to the streets to demand justice.
We know what fascism looks like—and it is staring us in the face. Weaponizing false allegations of antisemitism does not protect Jews. The erosion of civil rights does not protect anyone.
We call on all Jews of conscience to rise up and demand:
✊ The immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil
✊ The protection of Free Speech and academic freedom
✊ An end to government intimidation and overreach
🔗 Sign on to our statement here to join the movement.
Now is the time to take action. Will you stand with us?
In solidarity,
Rabbi Cat Zavis
