Second gentleman Doug Emhoff has taken a stand against antisemitism and violence targeting Jews on college campuses, engaging with Jewish leaders at Columbia University and Barnard College this week. Emhoff condemned hate speech and calls for violence against Jews, emphasizing the importance of addressing antisemitism on college campuses.
In his conversations with Rabbi Elie Buechler and Brian Cohen, Emhoff recognized the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest while denouncing antisemitic rhetoric and violence. The second gentleman, who has made combating antisemitism a key priority, expressed his support for Jewish students and their safety on campus.
Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, has been actively engaging with Jewish leaders across the country. He emphasized the importance of finding Jewish joy during difficult times and wished students a happy Passover.
Speaking out about pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, Emhoff stressed the need for students to feel safe and condemned any escalation of protests into antisemitic rhetoric or threats of violence. He emphasized the importance of peaceful expression of views and called out hate speech targeting Jews as unacceptable.
As antisemitism continues to rise in the US, Emhoff’s efforts to address the issue and support Jewish communities have been well-received. His engagement with Jewish leaders and commitment to combating hate speech and violence send a strong message of solidarity and support for the Jewish community.