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In a Thursday statement sent to The Herald, members of the Brown Corporation — the University’s highest governing body — and leadership of Brown-RISD Hillel said that Brown has upheld its commitment to religious freedom and Jewish life on campus.
The statement, which was signed by Brown’s Chancellor and Bank of America’s CEO Brian Moynihan ’81 P’14 P’19 and former Chancellor and current trustee Samuel Mencoff ’78, among others, comes amid a planned $510 million freeze on federal funds to Brown. Rabbi Josh Bolton, the executive director of Brown-RISD Hillel, also signed onto the statement.
“Brown University is home to a vibrant Jewish community that continues to flourish with the steadfast support of the administration,” the statement reads.
“Amidst broader concerns about antisemitism on college campuses, Brown stands out as an inclusive environment where Jewish life is deeply integrated into campus culture,” they wrote, citing initiatives such as the establishment of the Kosher Kitchen at the Sharpe Refectory.
They praised President Christina Paxson P’19 P’MD’20. Amid pro-Palestine campus protests, the group says Paxson maintained “unwavering support” for the Jewish community at Brown, adding that she attended a Chabad dinner after the October 7 attack of Hamas on Israel, “underscoring her commitment to supporting Jewish students during a painful and uncertain time.”
The signatories also reference the “strong, collaborative” relationship between Hillel and Brown Chabad, another Jewish organization supporting students on campus. They say the organizations’ collaboration is “rare among university campuses and central to the fabric of student life here.”
“While no school, including Brown, is perfect, this campus offers a welcoming environment where you can be a proud Jew,” the statement reads.
“With all the ongoing discussions about antisemitism on college campuses, one might easily suspect that these environments are disaster zones for Jewish life. At Brown University, this is not the case,” they wrote, referencing last year’s divestment proceedings. They said the student-led proposal demanded Brown divest its endowment from companies affiliated with Israel was “appropriately processed through campus channels” before being voted down.
In late 2023, 61 students were arrested following sit-in protests at University Hall, which demanded the University support divestment from “Israeli military occupation” and call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, The Herald previously reported.
Early February 2024, over a dozen students participated in an eight-day hunger strike. Two months later, over 80 students began a week-long encampment on the Main Green, calling for divestment.
“While there is more work to be done, Brown, through the dedicated efforts of its administration, leadership and the resilient spirit of its Jewish community, continues to uphold the principles of inclusion, tolerance, and intellectual freedom that have been central to its identity since 1764,” the statement concludes.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Claire Song is a university news and science & research editor for The Herald. She is a sophomore from California studying Applied Math-Biology. She likes to drink boba in her free time.
Cate Latimer is a university news editor covering faculty, University Hall and higher education. She is from Portland, OR, and studies English and Urban Studies. In her free time, you can find her playing ultimate frisbee or rewatching episodes of Parks and Rec.
