University of Denver police investigate anti-Jewish hate crimes. Two mezuzahs were ripped off, one of them was torn and thrown in a stairwell. Pork was left outside the door of a Jewish student and pork was smeared on the door
The security department of the University of Denver in Colorado USA sent a letter this week to all students and staff in which the university administration informed them of three anti-Semitic incidents during the past week and said “these incidents are unacceptable”. They happened in two student dormitories. The University of Denver Police Department is investigating.
“Stop Anti-Semitism” organization (Stop Antisemitism) reported that mezuzahs were torn from students’ doors, one was torn and thrown in a stairwell, the other has not yet been found. In addition, pork was left outside the door of a Jewish student and it was also smeared on the door, glue was also spilled on the door.
A number of students were interviewed by the ‘CBS Colorado’ network, and condemned the acts. One student said: “I feel it’s terrible. I honestly don’t know why someone did this.”
“We stand together in sorrow for these acts and in our commitment to promoting a warm and welcoming campus where all members of the community can thrive,” the university said.
Leaders at the University of Denver said it is important for non-Jews to stand by their fellow Jews and not be bystanders if they see any anti-Semitic behavior. “I know there were calls for additional security measures. We tested some of them and we are discussing it with the university,” said Daniel Bennett, CEO of the student organization Hillel from Colorado.
Other people were appalled, with one woman saying, “It’s very disheartening that here we are in 2023 and things like this are still happening everywhere, especially on our college campus that’s supposed to be inclusive.”