Robert Kraft, the billionaire proprietor of the New England Patriots, donated $1 million to Yeshiva College to ascertain a program for Jewish switch college students after yanking his assist from Columbia College.
Yeshiva College, a non-public Orthodox Jewish establishment in New York Metropolis, stated in a press launch that the Blue Sq. Students program “will assist the College accommodate transferring college students who’re switching to YU for its high quality schooling and nurturing campus environment.”
The college earlier stated it had seen a rise in enrollment for the reason that begin of the battle in Gaza, which has divided universities throughout the nation.
“Within the aftermath of October seventh, YU has been on the forefront of universities preventing the rise of antisemitism on faculty campuses throughout the nation and has opened its doorways to switch college students who really feel unsafe on their present campuses,” the college stated.
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The press launch stated Kraft’s donation would support the college’s efforts to assist Jewish college students grappling with antisemitism. Kraft based the Basis to Fight Antisemitism in 2019.
“I’m honored to ascertain the Blue Sq. Students program at Yeshiva College with the intention to give college students a welcoming place to additional their schooling and develop into leaders who will function advocates for unity and respect and can push again on all hate,” Kraft stated in an announcement.
Representatives for Yeshiva College and Kraft didn’t reply to a request for remark from Enterprise Insider.
Kraft’s $1 million donation comes two months after he severed ties with Columbia College, his alma mater.
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Kraft had been a dependable megadonor for Columbia College however criticized the varsity after campus protests broke out in April. Professional-Palestinian supporters held demonstrations calling for a cease-fire and demanding the varsity divest from Israel and any corporations doing enterprise within the nation.
In a full-page advert in Might, Kraft accused elite universities of inflicting “hate” on campuses. “The management and college of so lots of our main instructional establishments have failed their college students,” he wrote.
Different universities, like Harvard, have additionally confronted the ire of Jewish megadonors over scholar protests in opposition to the battle.
Islamophobia, in the meantime, additionally elevated on faculty campuses within the wake of the battle.
Regardless of his criticisms, Kraft advised CNN he’ll nonetheless assist The Kraft Middle for Jewish Pupil Life at Columbia College.
