Ramaz High School Graduates Boycott Columbia, Many Prefer YU | The Jewish Press – JewishPress.com | David Israel | 15 Av 5784 – Monday, August 19, 2024

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After two decades, Ramaz, a prestigious Jewish high school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, reports that none of its graduates will attend Columbia College this year. The school attributes this change in part to concerns about anti-Semitism on campus.

Meanwhile, Yeshiva University is experiencing a significant increase in undergraduate enrollment this fall, reaching levels not seen in the past 15 years, according to university officials.

The Modern Orthodox Jewish institution in New York City saw a remarkable 75 percent increase in transfer students during the previous spring semester. In addition, the university reported receiving a record number of undergraduate applications in the last academic year, with the waiting list doubling compared to the previous year.

Official university data reveals a notable increase in full-time undergraduate enrollment, with 2,185 students enrolled in the spring semester, up from 2,033 in spring 2023. This increase in enrollment marks a positive trend for the institution, highlighting its appeal in growth among prospective students.

Every graduate of New York’s elite Jews #RamazHS avoid@Colombiafor the first time in decades
⁦@Colombiais now the scene of one in progress #HateCrime https://t.co/41dxEaaw5d

— William Rapfogel (@WRapfogel) August 18, 2024

Ramaz released a statement pointing to the anti-Israel demonstrations and perceived hostility toward Columbia’s Jewish students as factors influencing their students’ choices. Although some Ramaz graduates have opted for other programs at Columbia University, the undergraduate college saw no enrollment in this year’s class.

“Ramaz provides as much information as possible about the situation at the various colleges of interest, and we have prioritized issues related to the alarming increase in anti-Semitic incidents at some schools so that our students and their families can make informed decisions about colleges that have justice. for them,” a high school spokesperson said in an email.

Ramaz has been active in informing students about university environments, particularly pointing out the increase in anti-Semitic events, as reported by The NY Post. This reflects a growing trend among Jewish educators and families to consider not only academic prospects but also the safety and comfort of Jewish students when choosing colleges.

In their statement to the NY Post, Ramaz emphasized their thorough approach: “We have prioritized the discussion of the alarming rise of anti-Semitism at certain institutions, allowing our students and their families to make informed college choices.”

“For the first time in over 20 years, we will not have a Ramaz graduate enrolled at Columbia College,” Ramaz said in his statement to The Post.

According to the high school, while Columbia College itself did not see enrollment from Ramaz’s graduating class, the school’s affiliates attracted some students. One Ramaz graduate opted for Columbia’s Graduate School, and three chose to attend Barnard College, a women’s college associated with Columbia University.

That view aligns with that of former NYC Council member Rory Lancman, a prominent Jewish civil rights attorney and Columbia Law graduate, who has publicly urged Jewish students to avoid Columbia and similar schools that he believes do not address the properly anti-Semitism.

Lancman, the parent of two Ramaz graduates, expressed strong concern about the current atmosphere in Columbia. Speaking to The Post, he said: “Jewish families are making their position clear by selecting institutions that actively address anti-Semitism.” This sentiment is not unique to Lancman, but reflects a broader trend in the Jewish community. Many families are now reevaluating their conventional college preferences because of the increasing hostility encountered on some campuses.

Yeshiva University officials attribute some of the recent increase in enrollment to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and its impact on college campuses across the country. Media reports suggest that Jewish students who might previously have considered or attended secular colleges now view those institutions as potentially unwelcoming environments because of concerns about anti-Semitism.

Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, emphasized that students who choose their institution are not worried about facing such challenges on campus. This distinction contributed to the attractiveness of the university. Rabbi Berman noted that some transfer students come from prestigious institutions, including Ivy League schools like the University of Pennsylvania, as well as Barnard College and Columbia University.

The change in enrollment patterns reflects broader concerns about campus climate and safety for Jewish students in the wake of recent events and protests related to the Middle East conflict.