Medgar Evers College in Crown Heights is readying a major push to attract students from the large Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, Kings County Politics reported.
The school, located on Bedford Avenue between Montgomery and Crown Streets in Crown Heights, has seen its campus complex grow considerably over the past 15 years thanks to millions in city, state and federal tax dollars.
It currently has about 6,700 primarily black full-time students with less than 1% of the student body being Orthodox Jews, despite it being located a block away from the 15,000-plus Lubavitch community, Kings County Politics reported.
The new outreach program for the college was advocated by community activist Devorah Halberstam, who has been advocating for several years that MEC do more outreach to her community including holding local forums about educational opportunities, and making it easier to accept Yeshiva High School transcripts to attend the college.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams was also approached by local activists suggesting his office work with college officials in doing a stronger outreach to their community.
The college’s convenient location would be beneficial to the youth and young married couples who currently attend Colleges in Flatbush, Boro Park and Manhattan.
These initial discussions were followed up a few weeks ago when top MEC leadership, including President Dr. Rudy Crew and Provost Dr. Augustine Okereke, met with a group of Jewish students and prominent leaders to start an open and direct dialogue with top decision makers of the college, according to Kings County Politics.
“The objective of this discussion, which also included an aide to BP Adams, was to begin to fully understand any specific needs and challenges these religious students face so the college can help them flourish in their studies. The beginning of this dialogue proceeds what will be robust outreach to potential future students within the local Orthodox Jewish community,” said an MEC spokesperson.
News of the school doing a major outreach for more Orthodox Jewish students comes less than a week after an Orthodox Jewish student was assaulted in the MEC hallway following a science test in an alleged anti-Semitic incident.
Halberstam said Crew called her following the incident to assure her that MEC has zero tolerance for any acts against Jews or any ethnic, religious or cultural students attending the school. Rudy Crew has been exceptional in communicating and working with the local Jewish community, she told Kings County Politics.
This is a reply to #56.
How can you compare attending MEC, a CUNY college with attending a Jewish school which is not CUNY, not government funded and based on Jewish Studies for Jews.
Your post reeks of hatred and anti Jew attitude.
Unless we (black students) can enroll in a Yeshiva school I do not agree with the mixing of races. I believe we should stick with our own.
I am so disappointed to here such harsh comments about MEC and the Black students that attend it. Most of you speak as if you are God and judgment is yours to pass. Please take a deep breath and consider that God works on people individually. Therefore when you speak and do, ask how God would deal and then work with people one-to-one. Do not paint all with a broad brush…Do Jews from differing sects like when they are view similar to their counterparts….Hasidic or Orthodox?
Medgar is open enrollment and is open to most students with a HS diploma or GED so I don’t really know what the big deal is about attending Medgar. As for the “racism” there’s less than more, but like people of color, orthodox students may have to develop a thicker skin to reach their chosen goals. Share your ideas and change or understanding may come. Suck it up if you want to be a college student. As for the Touro graduates, Touro has a poor reputation amongst its fellow colleges.
Dont they have liberal professors to teach students to not assault, kill, equality? Is this the level of training that PELL and TAP are funding? This so called college is certainly primitive, but hey, it keeps those kids off the street… Perhaps those who don’t drop out get a BA in human behaviour, as in yo, bro, I’m civilized, I passed exam behave myself in public.
The Orthodox have a right to seek or not seek (as some of the comments indicate) a higher secular education wherever they so may choose. There is risk everywhere for everyone and I have great respect for the Chabad. That said, the option for Orthodox to attend MEC, which is very close to where they live, should be on the table. Granted, it will take some courage and understanding on the part of the blacks, the Orthodox, the teachers and the administration! I apologize for diminishing the risk with words like discourse, but the chance that we can have a… Read more »
Due the various incidents in the past, there is a deep mistrust between our communities and something must be done to address they underlying issues if we are to see eye to eye. Reaching out and asking Orthodox Jews to join a college that is seen by many in the black community as ‘traditionally black’ is unlikely to be successful unless the students change their attitude. If they want to keep it to themselves, that is up to them, the Jewish community will lose out, but so will they as they will miss on the opportunity to broaden their network… Read more »
You sound like a very good person. At the same time, it is not your place to tell Orthodox Jews to put themselves up for what is clearly the opposite of a completely safe environment, where at least some “professors” clearly have not-good attitudes about Jews, AND at a place where the education is not clearly superior to many others with better environments for an Orthodox Jew — simply for the sake of “[positive] Discourse in life as to who we are and where is our place in the world as Jews and human beings….” The “discourse” you seek is… Read more »
Yeshiva University has more than “a limited exposure to secular lifestyle influences.” They bus the girls back and forth from Stern. They are supposedly not allowed to go up into the dorms but often sneak in. Many of the students who attend there go to movie theaters and attend mixed parties. Stick with Touro where there is no interaction between the boys’ and girls’ campuses and there is a higher level of yiddishkeit.
There is nothing wrong with getting an education as so many have done in Touro which is a Jewish college. Even Brooklyn college which has ever so so many Jewish students and professors is plagued by Muslims who are openly anti semitic and borderline vilant. As for college after marriage as opposed to before marriage, there is not much if any difference between a married or unmarried person. I know of cases where married people ran into “problems” with other students as well as with professors resulting in broken marriages. Last but not least, why do we need to promote… Read more »
There are other schools that already cater to the Orthodox Jewish community, for example Touro and YU. They don’t have classes on Shabbos and Yom Tov or in the afternoons of Erev Shabbos or Erev Yom Tov so you won’t miss any classes. They are both very Jewish environments so there is limited exposure to secular lifestyle influences and there is obviously no antisemitism.
Looked into MEC and heard from many former students and current students to stay away some professors and a lot of students are very anti Semitic and anti white students, educational level is very low and not a worthwhile school
Do not waste your time at this school. It is better spend some time on the train and go to normal cuny school.
I am a traditional Jew from Skokie, Illinois, and find these comments fascinating. Discourse in life as to who we are and where is our place in the world as Jews and human beings can only be positive.
Keep drinking the anti-secular-education kool-aid.
The many previous comments say it all, so well.
The bottom line is: Inconsistency, and dishonesty, are certainly teaching our kids what not to do. People, get an education, and make something of yourselves, as no one else will do that for you, regardless of all their empty advice and promises. You will thank yourself “ad meah v’esrim”, while the naysayers are barely surviving, schlepping along.
When did the Rebbe say that a married Yungerman that wants to become a CPA or a lawyer can’t take classes at his local school. The Sichos that the Rebbe speaks negatively about university are in the contexts of
1. Going to school for the sake that school and accomplishing nothing else. Most of us go for Parnasa.
2. Before marriage it leads to Pritzus.
3. Being on Campus VS just taking class’s
For the record Clapman usually knows what he’s thanking about.
people need to find a way of making a very substantial living to support large families, at the minimum $100,00.00/year.
you need college or family money or both just to stay afloat.
inescapable…
Moshiach will come who and when no one can be certain.
Not sure where this nonsense comes from. The Rebbe was clear as day that college is/was a no-no. That includes, Jewish and non Jewish schools. Before and after marriage. I challenge you to find me ANY proof to the contrary, other than to 2 SPESIFIC people. (Also, besides BT’s that were ALREADY on their way to a degree). Anyone saying otherwise is fooling only themselves. I could care less how many Shluchims kids, gezhe, FFB’s go, it’s still wrong.
It’s been over 20 years since the rebbe lived among us soul-in-body as a real life rebbe. saying his position on ANYTHING relates to something personal you have today is a personal decision each person makes. if YOU struggle with whether to educate yourself, (or any life behaviour choice) please do yourself a favor and not be swayed by others. they are no more or less rebbe than you are today. and if you want to be true to what the rebbe said 20+ years ago and aren’t sure, the rebbe then said to chose a mashpia and a rov… Read more »
The Rebbe didn’t want people to be part of the campus college Hefker environment. Also before marriage it poses many problems.
If a young man or women( specially after marriage ) wants to become a doctor, lawyer, accountant and go to a place that doesn’t interfere with Yidishkeit ( like Touro ) what can be the problem??? Do Lubavitchers have to be uneducated,and poor ???
Where do people come up with all this nonsense.
about 10 years ago i attended MEC for science classes with a goal to continue Physician Assistant Program in Suny although i was a 4.0 GPA student and far above their students(many were at a level of 6th grade) i was being picked on especially when conversation was involved politics. The fact that i was an Israeli just created a lot more of drama around me ( the only white person in the class) i tried to ignore the atmosphere and tried to focus on my responsibilities but i was “different” and i wasnt welcome what really got me upset… Read more »
The best! My son goes there. Nice frum environment. They daven and learn Gemorrah until the afternoon. College classes are in the afternoon/evening. Curriculm is intense so no time to get involved in shtus. They are very accomodating about accepting credits from other Yeshivas.
You are bringing up very good pints. Why don’t you talk to a mashpia you trust and see what’s the right thing?
The one who’s making a blanket statement is you. It’s not true that the Rebbe said for a specific job college is ok. The Rebbe never said no college till after your married. The Rebbe knew 3 Tammuz was coming and if he felt he needed to make sure certain things were in place before he took care of it like 3 Chassidishe Rabbonim if you have a question, 770 and other things. College was absolutely never oked. And those that think they know what the Rebbe would say today I wonder where from. The Rebbe never said frum colleges… Read more »
Agree 100%
So everyone should become teachers and real estate in order to stay out of college??? What if so many teachers and real estate agents are not necessary? Then what will they do???
Although I can’t speak for the Rebbe, let alone read his mind, chas ve’shalom, I am inclined to think that the Rebbe opposed college as a wholesale trajectory for today’s youth. B”H nowadays there are more kosher options. However, the Rebbe did give his blessings to many to attend college. Perhaps in condemning college he was referring to the humanities/liberal arts or the notion of “finding oneself.” Definitely a secular environment is filled with dangers and distractions.. Nevertheless, while college isn’t for everyone, it is for some — those in need of professional training. Those who need to work —… Read more »
So why doesnt Bais Rivka offer a BA?
If we have everything in our community, let our community provide the education and degrees that people are looking for.
For all those quoting the Rebbe on college, you should be aware that there were situations where the Rebbe did allow to go to college, such as if one was already in middle and the Rebbe encouraged them to continue or if it was for a specific degree and after they were married and if it was in a proper environment. Don’t say things in the Rebbe’s name if you are not familiar with the whole picture. Yes, it is known that the Rebbe was generally against going to college, but there were exceptions. In today’s day and age, lots… Read more »
When my family started becoming religious my local rabbis discouraged me from going to college and suggested I push it off for a year to try seminary. I got accepted to the college of my choice but I painstakingly decided to push off college for a year. Once I got back home I was ready to go to college. But literally the day I got back from seminary the local rabbi came to visit and offered me a teaching position at the local cheder for the year. So I pushed off college again. The following year the shidduch offers came,… Read more »
This is so sad
How many mistakes do we make till we realize that our Rebbes advice is and always will be for our very own best
We r fooling ourselves to think that the time has come to go against his wishes….please realize that when our Rebbes cautions us- he sees a much bigger picture than we do and knows that college will not b to our benefit as we imagine….
Trust!!!!
I make the same arduous round-trip by public transportation, but in the other direction.
I come from Flatbush to learn Chassidus in Crown Heights
No your right , its better for a frum person to be on a food stamps and government help line indefinitely. The is nothing wrong with doing what you have to do to earn an honest living. Not everyone can be or should be a teacher. In fact there are many people ill suited to working with children and have caused more damage than help. Today we need to be able to pay our high tuition bills, food and clothing and wedding etc – where do you think that moneys going to come from . Look around in Chabad today… Read more »
Too much damage was done,by going to college.Follow only what the Rebbeh told us,May we soon be taken out of this dark GOLUS,
before gimel tamuz no one would dare to bring up such idea in public.
we need the rebbe here in a physical way.
mashiach now!
This seems to be encouraging one to go to college, but I thought the Rebbe said a college is not where a frum person belongs!
They hate Jews. Not all but enough to encounter at every turn. stay away.
Stop living in fear. It becomes a point where it’s really pathetic.
colleges are hotbeds of radicalism. How do you think fanatics get their targets – struggling “students” or sad sacks in mosques. I don’t care if they PAY my kids to go there, they aren’t. I don’t think ME is exactly Harvard anyway.
it’s not in line with what the Rebbe wanted
go learn in a Jewish environment
While I commend the efforts of community officials, I don’t think that it is a good idea that members of our community should go to MEC. Thankfully, in that past few decades, our relationship with our black neighbors has been very positive as nobody has stepped over anybody’s toes and we’ve live peacefully side by side. However, once we start getting involved in an institution that many in the black community see as their own, if we join it may seem to them that we are ‘taking over’ their school and that may lead to tensions as it has in… Read more »
Read all about it in likutei sichos shmos (and beshalch) in chelek alef!
A train ride & 1 1/2 hours of travel time is a very small price to pay to be able to take college courses while still remaining in a Torah Environment. It is not just the student body whom are are all Frum at the Jewish Colleges indeed many of the Lecturers Proffessors & Teachers are too. There is good reason why MEC has such a small CH Lubavitch student body & activists in the community would do well to encourage any potential enrollees to attend one of the B”H many JEWISH Colleges & Advanced Ed schools in NYC. Keeping… Read more »
Towards Jews, it’s very politically left, blaming Jews & israel all the time,
Beware
A Chosid looks to the Rebbe for guidance in life choices. A Chassidishe community should be looking to the Rebbe for guidance in making community choices.
This initiative is clearly against the Rebbe’s wishes. Is this what Lubavitch has come to? Do whatever you want, publicize it without the approval of Rabbonim or Mashpiim?
Not a friendly environment towards Jews or our values. What they want is our hard earned tuition money.
What you have to respond to the Rebbe’s view on college. I’m referring to before marriage…
Yes, the Rebbe did say no to college before marriage. And very clearly so.
What is wrong with us all!?!?
This is great news for both communities.
Went there to check it out. No one knew anything about the program that I had questions about. Very unhelpful and unknowledgeable staff. What does that say about teachers, administrators, et.al? Don’t waste you time with MEC
Jews should go and make themselves a target ? Look what happened with the riots 25 years ago what if there is an incident and Jews are trapped at the college ? Also what about all the anti-Israel Muslim/Farrakhan students who can easily become hostile ?
Did I say Yes? Yes! This is, by far, the best socio-political-business-educational news I’ve read on COL. OK. I know this only discusses intention. But if the college follows through and makes itself attractive to CH-Lubav folks and those who are on the fence take the plunge and get a structured, diverse schooling and tools for life… and if they make it attractive with scholarships and liberal governmental assistance….and accept yeshiva credits…. and if the different colored and cultured people learn firsthand about each other in a civil educational environment…. Man. A game changer. OK. I know there is a… Read more »
The school will net zillions of Pell $$
Just want to encourage any prospective students to really look closely before beginning at Medgar. The faculty and students do no treat Jews in the class equally and help out their own. They misadvise, and there is no academic integrity. It is worth the train ride to Brooklyn College or elsewhere to ensure academic success.
So do they accept Yeshiva credits? It isn’t very clear in the article.
As far as I know the Rebbe’s opposition to attending college includes college in Crown Heights.
Where did we come to?
Is that what the REBBE wants?
“Crew called her following the incident to assure her that MEC has zero tolerance for any acts against Jews…”
Remains to be seen.
I did a semester at MEC a few years ago and had a very pleasant experience!