
<p>Columbia University—where academic excellence meets administrative foot-in-mouth syndrome. The latest drama stars acting president Claire Shipman, who, in a dazzling display of leadership, was caught suggesting the removal of a Jewish trustee, Shoshana Shendelman<a>, </a>and proposing her replacement be, and I quote, “an Arab on our board.” Because nothing says thoughtful governance like swapping out board members like chess pieces based on identity.</p>



<p>The leaked messages, sent before Shipman took the helm, read like a crash course in how not to handle diversity. Shendelman, who had the audacity to raise concerns about antisemitism on campus, was labeled a “mole” and a “fox in the henhouse.” Apparently, advocating for Jewish students is now considered espionage at Columbia. Who knew?</p>



<p>Shipman has since issued an apology, describing her texts as the product of “frustration and stress.” Because, of course, nothing says “I’m ready to lead a world-class university” like cracking under pressure and targeting a Jewish trustee for removal. Her email to the Columbia community was filled with all the right buzzwords — “deep commitment,” “fighting antisemitism,” “protecting students”—but somehow managed to feel like it was written by ChatGPT on autopilot.</p>



<p>Let’s be clear. This isn’t just about one ill-advised text thread. Columbia has been under federal investigation for its handling of antisemitism, especially in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the campus chaos that followed. Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe, unheard, and unwelcome. So, when the acting president is caught treating a Jewish trustee like a PR problem to be solved, it doesn’t exactly scream “safe space.”</p>



<p>And the solution? Just toss in “an Arab” to balance the optics. Because apparently, diversity at Columbia is less about meaningful inclusion and more about filling demographic quotas like it’s a college brochure photo shoot. Forget qualifications, perspectives, or contributions—just check the right boxes and hope no one notices the rot underneath.</p>



<p>Shipman’s defenders might argue that she’s apologized, that she’s learning, that we should all move on. But here’s the thing: when your private messages reveal more about your values than your public statements ever could, people tend to take notice. Especially when those values involve sidelining a Jewish woman for daring to speak up.</p>



<p>The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association has called for her resignation, and frankly, it’s hard to blame them. Trust, once broken, isn’t easily repaired with a mass email and a few carefully chosen platitudes. If Columbia wants to prove it’s serious about combating antisemitism, it needs more than damage control—it needs accountability.</p>



<p>Until then, the message to Jewish students and faculty is loud and clear: speak up, and you might just find yourself labeled the problem. But don’t worry—there’s always someone waiting in the wings to take your place. Preferably, someone who fits the narrative.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis. ;</p>

Columbia’s Claire Shipmen exhibits blatant antisemitism in emails
