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The Vassar Jewish Union has become the second Hillel affiliate, after the chapter at Swarthmore College, to declare itself an "Open Hillel" and resolve that it will not abide by a ban on anti-Israel speakers imposed by its parent organization. Hillel International guidelines prohibit campus chapters from partnering with or hosting groups or speakers that seek to delegitimize, demonize or apply a double standard to Israel, or that support the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, but in a statement the Vassar Jewish Union said the policy “censors and delegitimizes the diverse range of personal and political opinions held by Jewish students."
“We believe that Hillel International’s goal to ‘inspire every Jewish college student to develop a meaningful and enduring relationship to Israel’ does not represent the diverse opinions of young American Jews,” the statement says, in part. “We believe that fostering a pluralistic community and supporting all Jewish life on campus cannot be achieved with Hillel International’s Israel Guidelines in place."
The president of Hillel International, Eric Fingerhut, told The Jewish Daily Forward that the organization’s expectation is that Hillel affiliates will continue to uphold the group’s standards for partners and co-sponsors.
