A Message from the University Task Force on Antisemitism

Nov 17, 2023
To the Penn community,
 
Yesterday, President Magill convened and charged our University Task Force on Antisemitism, a key component of Penn’s Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism. A full listing of Task Force membership can be found here. I am writing today as Chair of the Task Force to share a few important messages.
 
First, I join the President in reemphasizing the urgency of our work and Penn’s shared commitment to counter antisemitism on our campus and more broadly in our nation and throughout the world.
 
Second, I am grateful to the faculty, students, staff, and alumni who have stepped forward to serve as Task Force members, and I look forward to working with them. Many others volunteered their time and commitment as well, which does them and this University enormous credit.
 
Third, the President has charged the Task Force to engage broadly and deeply, identify best practices for countering antisemitism, and recommend programmatic strategies. As we pursue these goals, I encourage and welcome your participation. You can submit your ideas, experiences, and perspectives to antisemitism-taskforce@upenn.edu. We will keep the Penn community updated on other opportunities to engage.
 
Please keep in mind that this Task Force does not serve a bias reporting or public safety function, nor does it adjudicate disciplinary issues. If any Penn affiliates experience an act of bias or discrimination, including antisemitism or Islamophobia, please report it through Penn’s Bias Incident Reporting process. If there is any threat to your physical safety, or you are being harassed online, please contact the 24/7 PennComm Emergency Call Center at 215-573-3333 immediately. Additional information on University resources for safety and support can also be found on Penn’s website.
 
Among leading universities, Penn is distinguished by our proud history as a welcoming place for all communities. So, it is even more incumbent upon Penn that we take a leadership role in combatting antisemitism on our own campus and campuses everywhere. With this Action Plan and this Task Force—which I am proud to lead with the combined expertise of our entire community, students, faculty, staff, and alumni—I believe we will succeed.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD
Chair, University Task Force on Antisemitism
Morton Amsterdam Dean, School of Dental Medicine