Local News
President of University of Manitoba Michael Benarroch responds to criticisms levelled at university over controversial valedictorian speech
UM president Michael Benarroch issued the following statement on May 24, 2024:
Last week, UM celebrated the convocation of 106 new physicians from the Max Rady College of Medicine. What should have been a joyous occasion for all graduating students was tarnished by the valedictorian’s address. Valedictory addresses should celebrate the accomplishments of the students in the class and provide inspiration to help motivate the graduates in their future careers. The address should speak to all the students in the class. Valedictory addresses are not political platforms for one student or a group of students to express their views, no matter how important or relevant the issue. Universities, including the University of Manitoba, provide many platforms of expression and I believe this is why we have seen so much political activism on our campuses in the past few months.
As President, I have felt it important that our university maintains neutrality about the complex geopolitical situation in Israel and Gaza. Universities are not monolithic institutions made up of groups of people sharing homogeneous perspectives and experiences. This neutrality however should not be interpreted as inattention, nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of antisemitism, or any other form of racism. I have been carefully watching and listening to what has been happening on our campuses – and I am distressed by the escalation in both activity and rhetoric that is causing pain and harm in our community and not moving the world closer to peace in the middle east.
Many universities, including UM, have long and painful histories of systemic antisemitism. You don’t have to look much further than our medical college’s notorious quota system – something our college’s very namesake, Max Rady, had to overcome to gain entry – to find an example. I am saddened to acknowledge that antisemitism continues to exist on our campuses today. I hear far too often from students and colleagues who do not feel UM’s campuses are safe for them.
I am and always have been a fierce defender of free speech. As the president of a university, I am keenly aware of my – our – obligation to protect this fundamental freedom. But with that freedom comes responsibility, and it is critically important for free speech to coexist with the protection of human rights. I fear that the way one perspective is being expressed is resulting in another group experiencing hate.
Simply put, UM needs to do better.
What I have found shocking in the communications directed at UM in the aftermath of the valedictory speech, is how unaware people are of the systemic antisemitism that exists in the world. Israel is not above criticism, but the insidious nature of antisemitism is such that many cannot even recognize it for what it is. As a university, we can and will bring our resources to bear to offer much-needed education to our students, faculty and staff. I commit UM to develop additional anti-racism education resources including antisemitism training for our students, faculty and staff – an effort that is already underway. This training will be made mandatory for students in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
I wish I could guarantee you that this type of occurrence will not happen again at our university Unfortunately, I fear that there will continue to be hard times ahead.
I have heard from many people that they are questioning their association with UM in light of recent events. While I fully understand why you might feel this way, now, more than ever, UM needs you. As President, I rely on UM alumni and friends to add to the rich diversity of thought and perspective that help us navigate challenging times as an institution. I realize there are many organizations and individuals who are hurt and angry, asking you to back off from your support for universities right now. I’m asking you to lean in. With your voice at the table, we can be stronger, more inclusive, and more responsive. Your voice and the benefit of your wisdom and experience can help us effectively confront antisemitism and grow understanding.
If you would like to discuss this, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would welcome hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michael Benarroch, Ph.D.
President and Vice-Chancellor
202 Administration Building
66 Chancellors Circle
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
Phone: 204-474-9345
Email: m.benarroch@umanitoba.ca
To read the remarks by the valedictorian for this year’s graduating class of the UM medical school, along with subsequent reactions from the medical school’s dean, and Ernest Rady, who donated $30 to the UM in 2016, go to https://jewishpostandnews.ca/faqs/rokmicronews-fp-1/valedictory-speech-delivered-to-graduating-medical-students-sets-off-storm-of-controversy/
To read letters from a graduate of this year’s medical school class along with an alumnus of that school, go to https://jewishpostandnews.ca/faqs/rokmicronews-fp-1/reaction-to-the-valedictory-address-at-the-medical-school-convocation-ceremony/
Local News
U of M event commemorating October 7 attracts small crowd – and no protesters
By BERNIE BELLAN Is it noteworthy to lead a story by noting that an event at a university in North America which centered on Israel did not attract a single protester?
Such was the case at the University of Manitoba on October 7.
On that day, at noon, a small crowd that might have numbered 100 at its peak – made up largely of older adults, but with a sizable number of students as well, heard from various speakers marking a full year since the massacre of October 7.
It was a gloriously sunny day and, as attendees gathered in front of the university administration building, we couldn’t help but wonder whether the event would be disrupted by anyone. There was a fence barricade at some distance from where people had gathered – apparently to keep a distance between those who were there to mark October 7 and anyone who had it in mind to disrupt what was happening. While there were some students who did station themselves behind that barricade, there was nary a peep – or at least a peep loud enough to be heard by anyone, from any of them.
Speakers at the university event included Belle Jarniewski, Executive Director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, and Rabbi Kliel Rose of Etz Chayim Congregation.
But, what was most remarkable about this event was not that it was a relatively quiet affair, rather, in contrast with what is currently going on – again – on some campuses in the U.S. – in particular at Columbia and Berkeley -where the massacre of October 7 is now being glorified, the U of M was a model of restraint that day..
We’ve noted before that, while some Jewish students have been concerned for their safety at the U of M – relative to other campuses across North America, the U of M has not seen the kind of rabid antisemitism that has marked so many other campuses.
Local News
Scenes from the walk for Israel in Winnipeg October 7
On October 7 over 1500 individuals participated in a walk for Israel – exactly one year after the massacre by Hamas terrorists of 1500 individuals, along with the taking hostage of another 250 individuals.
Local News
Marty Morantz’s remarks at the Walk for Israel October 7
One year since the world witnessed the worst attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust, when the genocidal, evil death of Hamas invaded Israel. One year, a brutal captivity for hostages taken only because they were Jewish. One year of shameful demonstrations by anti Semitic, too hating mobs, and incited hate in our streets.Today, we commit our memory to the 1,200 Israelis who were brutally murdered by mobs that day. Today, we stand in solidarity with the survivors, and we pray. For the safe return of all those still being held to Hamas, I say it’s time to let them all go. To Hamas, I say Israel is winning. And your genocidal plan to destroy Israel has failed. To you I say, from the river to the sea, the existence of Israel shall always be. This past year, synagogues have been fired on. Bullets have been fired at Jewish schools. Jewish students have been harassed on Canadian campuses. Jewish owned businesses have been vandalized. Anti Semitism is sadly out in the open. It is the world’s ugliest and most enduring form of hatred. It is an evil along with the evil Hamas death cult, will be defeated. Last November, I traveled to Israel to witness firsthand the devastation wrought by the monstrous murderers of Hamas. I visited and saw the burned up, shot up, blackened homes of the people of Kfar Ezzat. More haunting images I have never seen. I met the families of those killed and taken hostage. I made a promise to them, that I would bear witness to their suffering, to their pain, and to work to bring their loved ones home. Ours is a promise to keep, to bear witness, to work until every single hostage is home, and to not rest. Do not rest until every Jew, no matter where they live, and no matter where they work, and no matter where they go to school, lives safe and lives free. My friends, we can take comfort in knowing that despite the forces of evil, Jewish institutions in Canada still stand. Israel still stands. And I know. That 1,000 years from now, the echoes of millions of Jews around the world will still be heard saying now and forever. Am Yisrael Chai!
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