Antisemitic graffiti was found scrawled on a poster advertising an event sponsored by Hillel, the Jewish life organization at Emerson, on Oct. 14, college officials announced Monday evening.
The graffiti “mockingly invoked the Holocaust in relation to Jewish individuals or organizations,” according to a community-wide email from Interim President Bill Gilligan. The poster, which was promoting a “Yoga with Hillel” event, has since been removed from the elevator lobby in 2 Boylston Place where it was originally hung.
Those responsible for the antisemitic vandalism have yet to be identified, Gilligan said.
Gilligan wrote that the language is “reprehensible and harmful, and will not be tolerated within our community.”
Hillel, in an email sent to members, described the vandalism as “troubling.”
“This is a direct attack on our Jewish community and will not be tolerated,” the statement said. “This type of graffiti trivializes one of the darkest periods in history in which more than six million Jews were killed. It has no place on our campus.”
Friday’s incident marks the second time in recent years that antisemitic vandalism has struck Emerson. In January 2020, four swastikas were found in a Piano Row stairwell. The college never identified the individual or individuals responsible for the incident.
In response to the event, the Center for Spiritual Life, in partnership with Hillel, will be hosting a community gathering Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. Members of the Jewish community and “those who wish to join in solidarity” are invited to attend.
