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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Ernest Rafailov, President of Hillel at Baruch College (CUNY)

4:16:07

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103 sec

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Ernest Rafailov, President of Hillel at Baruch College, testified about ongoing issues of antisemitism at CUNY and the need for more decisive action beyond expressions of solidarity. He emphasized that current efforts by university leadership are insufficient and called for tangible measures to combat discrimination across all campuses.

Rafailov reported having multiple meetings with administrators, including CUNY leadership and city officials, but expressed frustration with the slow progress and focus on procedural issues rather than addressing larger challenges.
He highlighted a recent meeting about an October 7 event where they faced criticism for not filing a form, which he felt exemplified the lack of support for Jewish students' efforts to foster solidarity.

Ernest Rafailov

4:16:07

Good afternoon.

4:16:08

Thank you, chairman Denowitz and council members.

4:16:12

My name is Ernest Raffaello, and I'm the president of Hillel at Broad College.

4:16:17

As the leader of the Jewish student community, on campus, I'm here today to speak about the ongoing issues of antisemitism on CUNY and necessary steps to address it.

4:16:28

While I appreciate the efforts and statements made by the university leadership, I must say that they are simply not enough.

4:16:35

Words are not actions.

4:16:37

The Jewish community needs more than expressions of solidarity.

4:16:40

We need tangible, decisive measures to combat anti semitism and discrimination across all campuses.

4:16:46

The litany recommendations provide these resources and measures.

4:16:50

Over the past two and a half months, we have met with administrators 7 times, including twice with president Wu of Broad College, once with CUNY chancellor, once with members of the city council, once with Richie Torres, and once with the, with the mayor and others.

4:17:08

These meetings feel like steps in an endless process.

4:17:12

Our most recent meeting with assistant vice president of student affairs, Jane Vergas Estrada, illustrated this frustration, called on a short notice to discuss concerns about an October 7 event.

4:17:28

We received backlash for not filing a form.

4:17:31

Something never required before in past events.

4:17:34

This hour long meeting focused on a minor procedural issue rather than offering support or addressing larger challenges we face.

4:17:42

Such responses only apt to our sense that we are being criticized instead of supported in our efforts to foster solidarity.

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