Well, I’m back from Vassar.
No debate, of course. But a good turnout. I didn’t take a head count but the room capacity is 158 and it was pretty full. A significant local presence from surrounding area synagogues, alumni, a very small number of faculty, and students.
There were no disruptions of any kind.
Although I couldn’t distinguish among the many students, I was told that several students from Students for Justice in Palestine were present. I’m glad they attended. It’s important that we preach not only to the choir.
The Dean of the Faculty, who co-signed the statement against the academic boycott of Israel, attended, as was the Professor who ran the Open Forum on March 3 which was the subject of a prior post.[*]
One thing I learned for the first time was that while most of the 39 professors did not respond to the debate invitation sent out by the student organizers, one of the professors who did respond said that I should be boycotted. Imagine that.
There was a very lengthy question and answer period, a lot of it focused on the role of faculty in the BDS movement on campuses.
All in all it was a big win … for Vassar.
(video added)
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[*This sentence was corrected, that professor was not a signatory to the letter.]
UPDATE: Anti-Israel Vassar student group focuses on race of crowd at my speech.
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