This petition was written by a 10th grade Betar member and delivered to Case Western Reserve University President Barbara R. Snyder in mid-April '08

To whom it may concern:

Case Western Reserve University has long held a reputation as being the finest institution of higher education in the state of Ohio. Respect for your college extends nationwide, where it is ranked 41st among all research universities, and to the greater international community, drawing in graduate students from around the globe. The rich resources and opportunities available to undergraduate students, from the cutting edge SAGES program to the world class Biomedical engineering major, make it a highly desirable choice to receive an undergraduate education from. For that reason, we the undersigned had all planned to apply to your fine school during our senior years.

However, it saddens us to inform you that we have been forced to cancel these plans, and avoid applying to Case Western Reserve University for undergraduate or graduate programs. The reason for this is most regrettable: anti-Semitism on campus. After prolonged discussions with Jewish students presently enrolled, we were alarmed to learn that hatred of Jews is fostered both inside and out of the classroom. In particular, one faculty member named Alice Bach helps to cultivate this xenophobia. She is entrusted with teaching several classes on the Israel-Palestine topic. And while we welcome legitimate academic exploration of this topic, her classes do not even approach that. Instead, she customizes her curriculum to paint a wildly anti-Israel picture that equates the state with the most barbaric nations in history. Having tenure, she does not fear for her job, and continues to abuse her position in unacademic deception, which she carries outside of the classroom too. Her exceedingly large budget is used to bring in speakers who routinely trot out some of the most tired and provably false slanders against Israel that have ever been uttered. There is no effort to choose credible speakers, or to balance out these extremists by presenting an individual of the opposite persuasion. This would be less alarming if the university made an effort to counteract the vile hatred she routinely advocates. Instead, the administration acts with ablepsia, ignoring the problem completely. Not a single dollar has been granted to present the other side, and no effort has been made to moderate her biased curriculum. Thus, the entire institution is culpable for her crimes, in allowing students to be brainwashed by her bigotry.

The fact is, her actions have serious consequences. Her indoctrination efforts have succeeded in making anti-Semitism rampant. There has been anti-Semitic graffiti, verbal harassment, and even the physical assault of Jewish students. And the only reason was that they belong to a group that one professor hates. If this violence is news to you, then that is because the victims have no faith in the administration, and thus remain unwilling to come forward. Simply put, they cannot trust those who have the power to reign in a bigot like Bach, but won't. And if your own students cannot trust you, how can we?

It is our fervent hope that you take serious steps to stamp out this terrible problem, so that Jews feel welcome on campus. For if the happens, we will be able to fulfill our desire to apply, as will students across the country who have been turned off by reports of what presently constitutes the status quo of your institution.

Sincerely,

Signed by 75 Cleveland Area High School Students