<p>What??? The letter from the president sounds like an inadequate attempt at damage control. For those who cannot get passed the pay wall in the link, the author of the Wall Street Journal article criticized the students in the Vassar Hillel for voting to be an open Hillel. Being an open Hillel means not having to abide by Hillel’s “pesky” rules that prevent students from debating those who are pro-boycott, sanctions and divestment of Israel. In other words Hillel does not want its student members to engage in discussions with those who do not believe Israel has a right to exist. (Makes sense to me. Wouldn’t expect the gay rights group to engage in debate with the Westboro Baptist Church, would you?) The author’s point is that the students have all jumped on the BDS bandwagon without thinking critically about their actions. Pro-Israel students feel intimidated about speaking up. Not a single faculty member on campus has said in public that he/she supports Israel. Disgusting. </p>