Jewish students wanted to bring J Street to Sarah Lawrence. Why did the student senate say no?
After Oct. 7, Sarah Lawrence College student Emilyn Toffler felt something was missing on campus. “My campus blew up with pro-Palestinian activism,” Toffler recalled. “I was encouraged to see my classmates engage with the issue,…
Assessment
The student senate's rejection of a J Street U chapter at Sarah Lawrence reveals a narrowing of acceptable Jewish political discourse on campus. The decision suggests that even centrist, pro-Israel voices are being excluded from official recognition, which could set a precedent for which Jewish organizations are deemed permissible. The outcome may embolden other student governments to make similar ideological litmus tests.