September 12, 2024

Dear Friends,

Today, I had the opportunity to speak at the University of Washington’s Board of Regents to call on the UW leadership to stand up against antisemitism and protect the Jewish community on campus. 

From the moment we arrived, it was clear we faced a hostile environment. A room full of loud demonstrators, many masked, greeted us. When it was time for Jewish voices to be heard, the demonstrators became disruptive. The Jewish community speakers were met with repeated heckles, boos, and constant interruption. Though the Board of Regents warned the crowd multiple times that they would clear the room if the disruption did not end, no action was taken. This failure to enforce basic civility only emboldened the disruptors.

During the final Jewish speakers’ remarks, the aggression became so deafening that the Board abruptly adjourned the meeting. Regents, university leadership, and Jewish community members were forced to be escorted out of the room by police as the demonstrators continued. The failure to stop the demonstrators was a clear message that Jewish voices are not welcomed or protected on campus.

Sadly, my experience today is reflective of the experience of many Jewish students on campus this past school year. We were there calling on the UW leadership to do better in the school year ahead, and yet they were not even able to ensure civility in a regularly scheduled board meeting.

We Cannot Stay Silent.

This is why I spoke today. The University of Washington must take immediate action to restore safety and dignity for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. We cannot accept vague promises any longer. I called on the Board of Regents to:

• Establish and enforce clear, unambiguous policies on antisemitism, protests, encampments and masked demonstrations. These policies must be communicated openly and upheld consistently.
• Publicly release the findings from the Antisemitism and Islamophobia task forces, which were initiated last year but have yet to show any tangible results.
• Implement a clear plan for education on antisemitism for students, faculty, and staff—because awareness alone isn’t enough.
• Ensure transparency and accountability by providing clear processes for reporting antisemitic incidents and outlining exactly how those reports will be addressed.

The safety of the Jewish community is non-negotiable. The University of Washington’s inaction is setting a dangerous precedent, not only for us but for the broader community. What happens on this campus ripples into our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

We Will Not Back Down.

Our work is far from over, but I want you to know that the Federation will not stop until we see real change. We are standing strong, and we will continue to advocate for our Jewish students on campus and our Jewish community. Tell the UW Board of Regents they must act.

Email UW Board of Regents Now.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment. Together, we will make sure our voices are heard and our community is protected.

With determination,

Solly Kane
President & CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle