Post by Paddy by Grace on Nov 15, 2008 12:41:20 GMT -7
Anti-semitism Alert!
Outrage at Oxford University 'Bring a pretty Jew' rugby club party
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1085530/Outrage-Oxford-University-Bring-pretty-Jew-rugby-club-party.html
Oxford University students who planned an outrageous party night have been accused of anti-semitism.
Players from the university’s under-21 rugby squad were specifically told to invite a pretty Jewish date to accompany them to a drunken, themed dinner.
Organisers pulled the plug on the idea after complaints from members of the university’s Jewish community – including the campus chaplain Rabbi Aaron Katchen.
Despite this, a small number of players ignored the request and arrived in costume at a restaurant in the city on Wednesday night.
At least one is said to have come dressed in what has been described as Jewish caricature clothing and carrying a moneybag. It is understood some of the young Jewish women also attended.
Emails had been sent around in the summer to attractive female students. One who received the message said: ‘I was not particularly impressed and I did not reply.’
When word got round the Jewish student community, complaints were made to the Student Union who contacted the team.
It is believed an agreement was reached to abandon the theme of the evening although the gathering still went ahead. Last night the university said it had begun an urgent investigation into the incident.
Yair Zivan, of the Union of Jewish Students, said: ‘The actions of a few individuals have caused real offence to Jewish students.’
‘UJS is appalled that in 2008 old myths and anti-semitic stereotypes are still appearing amongst supposedly educated students.’
Anna Harwood, of the Oxford Jewish Society, said: ‘It’s very offensive-and it’s very unfortunate that sometimes some students do not think before engaging their brains.’
One Jewish student, who asked not to be named, said: ‘No one would have dreamed of organising an evening of “Bring a fit Asian”, so why do they think they can ridicule us? People may think this type of behaviour is almost expected of rugby players but it needs to be stamped out.’
Wednesday Rugby Socials are a mainstay of the sports after-hours calendar. Each week throughout the season a different theme is adopted but the main purpose is to get as drunk as possible and go home with an attractive partner.
Last week’s theme was a Toga night with the Oxford Brookes University cheerleaders. Pictures show how many students lost their inhibitions at the drink-fuelled party.
A spokesman for the University said: ‘We are currently investigating a report about inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour by two or three students. We have yet to establish the facts.’
Outrage at Oxford University 'Bring a pretty Jew' rugby club party
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1085530/Outrage-Oxford-University-Bring-pretty-Jew-rugby-club-party.html
Oxford University students who planned an outrageous party night have been accused of anti-semitism.
Players from the university’s under-21 rugby squad were specifically told to invite a pretty Jewish date to accompany them to a drunken, themed dinner.
Organisers pulled the plug on the idea after complaints from members of the university’s Jewish community – including the campus chaplain Rabbi Aaron Katchen.
Despite this, a small number of players ignored the request and arrived in costume at a restaurant in the city on Wednesday night.
At least one is said to have come dressed in what has been described as Jewish caricature clothing and carrying a moneybag. It is understood some of the young Jewish women also attended.
Emails had been sent around in the summer to attractive female students. One who received the message said: ‘I was not particularly impressed and I did not reply.’
When word got round the Jewish student community, complaints were made to the Student Union who contacted the team.
It is believed an agreement was reached to abandon the theme of the evening although the gathering still went ahead. Last night the university said it had begun an urgent investigation into the incident.
Yair Zivan, of the Union of Jewish Students, said: ‘The actions of a few individuals have caused real offence to Jewish students.’
‘UJS is appalled that in 2008 old myths and anti-semitic stereotypes are still appearing amongst supposedly educated students.’
Anna Harwood, of the Oxford Jewish Society, said: ‘It’s very offensive-and it’s very unfortunate that sometimes some students do not think before engaging their brains.’
One Jewish student, who asked not to be named, said: ‘No one would have dreamed of organising an evening of “Bring a fit Asian”, so why do they think they can ridicule us? People may think this type of behaviour is almost expected of rugby players but it needs to be stamped out.’
Wednesday Rugby Socials are a mainstay of the sports after-hours calendar. Each week throughout the season a different theme is adopted but the main purpose is to get as drunk as possible and go home with an attractive partner.
Last week’s theme was a Toga night with the Oxford Brookes University cheerleaders. Pictures show how many students lost their inhibitions at the drink-fuelled party.
A spokesman for the University said: ‘We are currently investigating a report about inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour by two or three students. We have yet to establish the facts.’