President Isaac Herzog Cancels In-Person Appearance at Jewish Theological Seminary
President Isaac Herzog has canceled his scheduled in-person commencement speech at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in New York, according to the chancellor of the institution. Herzog, who was slated to receive an honorary degree during the May 19 ceremony, will now address the gathering virtually.
In a May 12 letter shared by JTS, Herzog stated that “circumstances that prevent my travel to New York at this time” made his attendance impossible. Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz noted that the honorary degree will be awarded to him in person at a later date.
Student Objections and Accusations
The cancellation follows a controversy sparked by six members of the graduating class—students in undergraduate JTS dual-degree programs with Barnard and Columbia—who wrote a private letter to JTS officials objecting to Herzog’s selection as the commencement speaker. The authors, describing themselves as “scholars of ethics, text, history and rabbinics,” expressed concern over the invitation of a speaker they claimed “condones the suffering of others.”
The students accused Herzog of having “incited violence” through the following actions:
- Inscribing a message on an artillery shell that was fired into Gaza.
- Denying the existence of a famine in the Gaza Strip.
- Declaring “an entire nation” responsible for the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7, 2023.
The authors argued that choosing a speaker with whom many community members “so vehemently disagree” would introduce “controversy, tension and an air of unease” into the ceremony.
Administration Response and Internal Division
Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz criticized the resulting “public media spectacle,” stating that the students’ private letter was shared more widely without their knowledge or consent. She noted that the students had originally intended to hand-deliver the letter to “spark conversation,” but were instead publicly criticized, labeled “anti-Zionist,” and misidentified as rabbinical students. Schwartz added that some parties called for their expulsion and directed “unfounded accusations” at their characters.
The student body remained divided on the issue. While the initial letter received support from several alumni and four rabbinical students, 24 members of the graduating class wrote a separate letter expressing their support for Herzog, according to the Columbia Spectator.
In a May 7 statement, Rubin Schwartz defended the invitation by citing JTS’s long-standing support for Israel, noting that more than 7 million Jews live there. She further highlighted Herzog’s record of advocacy for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the “democratic character of Israel.”
Significance and Potential Outlook
This incident underscores the deep ideological tensions within the flagship Conservative institution regarding the ongoing war in Gaza and the rhetoric used by political leadership. The transition to a virtual address suggests an attempt to maintain the honorary recognition of the President while mitigating the “tension” and “unease” cited by objecting students.
Looking forward, the following scenarios may unfold:
- Herzog may schedule a future visit to New York to receive his honorary degree in person once travel circumstances permit.
- The institution could see continued internal debate as students and alumni navigate conflicting views on the ethical implications of the conflict.
- The virtual address may serve as a compromise to conclude the 131st commencement ceremony without further escalation.