I would like to commend the administration of TABC for their recent communication to parents, where they stated that no university will be permitted to enter their school building and meet with 12th-grade students without submitting prior guidelines as to how they will ensure the protection and safety for Jewish students on campus.

Having served as a school guidance counselor for 11 years, I have seen firsthand how many students have flourished on university campuses across the country. I am still currently in touch with many former students who attribute a strong component of their Jewish Identity to their on-campus experiences, which provided opportunities for expression and development of their Jewish selves.

Over the past few weeks, I have become sickened by the chants, posters and rallying cries, which occur under the guise and ruse of “free speech.” I am horrified by the silence of university presidents to the plight and well-being of Jewish students on campus. These developments deserve our attention, action and moral outrage, regardless of the many positive past experiences of Jewish students on college campuses across America.

I applaud the actions of TABC and I encourage other schools to carefully consider setting similar guidelines before allowing any university, no matter how prestigious, to come to our high schools and speak and meet with other students.

Chazak Ve’ematz!
Mark Staum
Teaneck