18Forty Podcast
What’s Next: Higher Education for Jews: David Wolpe, Talia Khan, and Steven Pinker
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Jewish students experienced a significant increase in anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment on American college campuses following an attack on October 7th.
- MIT needs institutional change to address pervasive anti-Semitism, including Holocaust training for faculty and staff and a supportive environment for Jewish students.
- It is crucial for Jewish students to stay and advocate for change on college campuses to combat anti-Semitism and create safer spaces.
- Free speech and academic freedom are essential on college campuses, with universities needing to protect the rights of students to express controversial opinions while upholding principles of nonviolence and inclusivity.
Deep dives
Change in Perception on Campus
Following the attack on October 7th, the perception of Jews on campus changed. Jews who previously had no strong connection to Israel began to understand its importance and feel a stronger affinity. There was a noticeable increase in anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment, with more people feeling comfortable expressing these views openly.
Incidents of Intimidation and Discrimination
There have been several incidents of intimidation and discrimination against Jewish students on MIT's campus. Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe and marginalized, with some receiving death threats and facing harassment. Faculty members have also been involved in such incidents, with instances of inappropriate comments and dismissal of Jewish student concerns.
Need for Institutional Change
There is a need for institutional change at MIT to address the pervasive anti-Semitism on campus. This includes required Holocaust training for faculty and staff, transparency in disciplinary processes, and a supportive environment that protects the rights and safety of Jewish students. MIT should take serious action to combat anti-Semitism and ensure a welcoming and inclusive campus for all students.
The Future of Jewish Students on Campus
Despite the challenges, many believe that it is crucial for Jewish students to stay and fight against anti-Semitism on campus. Leaving would only perpetuate the problem and result in the continued production of anti-Semitic individuals. It is essential to advocate for change and create safer and more inclusive spaces for Jewish students within higher education institutions.
The Importance of Free Speech and Academic Freedom on College Campuses
In this podcast episode, Professor Steven Pinker discusses the importance of free speech and academic freedom on college campuses. He emphasizes the need for universities to uphold principles of free expression, viewpoint diversity, and nonviolence while allowing for a marketplace of ideas. Pinker argues that universities should not suppress speech based on political ideology and that they should protect the rights of students to express controversial opinions as long as they do not incite violence or engage in intimidation. He also addresses the specific challenges and controversies surrounding discussions of Israel and Palestine on campuses, calling for a fair and fact-based examination of the issues. Through his interview, Pinker advocates for a recommitment to the pursuit of truth and an open and inclusive exchange of ideas in higher education.
The Challenges of Addressing Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment on Campus
Talia Khan, a student advocate for Jewish rights on campus, shares her personal experiences and insights into the challenges of addressing anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses. She discusses her multicultural upbringing and the misconceptions that people often have about her identity and beliefs. Khan emphasizes the importance of not pitting different minority groups against each other and advocates for the safety and inclusion of all students on campus, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. She also expresses her love for Israel and her commitment to supporting the Jewish community while recognizing the fears and concerns of other marginalized groups. Khan calls for increased dialogue and understanding among diverse communities and rejects the notion of fitting people into boxes.
Navigating Speech Boundaries and Ensuring Civil Discourse on Campus
In the podcast episode, Rabbi David Wolpe engages in a discussion with Professor Steven Pinker about navigating speech boundaries and ensuring civil discourse on college campuses. They delve into the complexities of free speech and its limits, including the challenges of defining violent versus non-violent speech. Pinker highlights the importance of viewpoint diversity, the pursuit of truth, and protecting the rights of individuals to express their opinions, even if they are controversial. While acknowledging the prevalence of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments, Wolpe and Pinker both emphasize the need for fair and open dialogue, as well as the responsibility of universities to uphold principles of free expression and academic freedom.
Since Simchas Torah, the hostile discourse regarding Israel has become something that no Jewish student can ignore. Jewish families have been asking: Is it even worth it to send our sons and daughters to these colleges? In this episode we discuss:
- Is it better for Jews to change the system from within, or without?
- What has changed about the Jewish experience at American colleges since Oct. 7?
- What is the way forward regarding free speech and Jewish rights on campus?
Interview with David Wolpe begins at 4:27.
Interview with Talia Khan begins at 29:30.
Interview with Steven Pinker begins at 1:05:12.
Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem Post, David Wolpe is a visiting scholar at Harvard Divinity School and the Max Webb Rabbi Emeritus of Sinai Temple, a Conservative shul in Los Angeles. Rabbi Wolpe previously taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, Hunter College, and UCLA. He is the author of eight books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times. His new book is titled David, the Divided Heart.
Talia Khan is an MIT graduate student in mechanical engineering, the president of the MIT Israel Alliance, and a Fulbright Brazil alumna.
Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. He conducts research on language, cognition, and social relations, writes for publications such as the New York Times, Time and The Atlantic, and is the author of twelve books, including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, The Blank Slate, The Stuff of Thought, The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Sense of Style, Enlightenment Now, and Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters.
References:
“On the Hatred of Jews” by David J. Wolpe
Israel: An Echo of Eternity by Abraham Joshua Heschel
O Jerusalem! by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre
“When Calls for Jewish Genocide Can Cost a University Its Government Funding” by Michael A. Helfand
“A five-point plan to save Harvard from itself” by Steven Pinker
The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
The Canceling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott
The Constitution of Knowledge by Jonathan Rauch
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