Columbia’s Claire Shipmen exhibits blatant antisemitism in emails

Columbia University—where academic excellence meets administrative foot-in-mouth syndrome. The latest drama stars acting president Claire Shipman, who, in a dazzling display of leadership, was caught suggesting the removal of a Jewish trustee, Shoshana Shendelman, and proposing her replacement be, and I quote, “an Arab on our board.” Because nothing says thoughtful governance like swapping out board members like chess pieces based on identity.

The leaked messages, sent before Shipman took the helm, read like a crash course in how not to handle diversity. Shendelman, who had the audacity to raise concerns about antisemitism on campus, was labeled a “mole” and a “fox in the henhouse.” Apparently, advocating for Jewish students is now considered espionage at Columbia. Who knew?

Shipman has since issued an apology, describing her texts as the product of “frustration and stress.” Because, of course, nothing says “I’m ready to lead a world-class university” like cracking under pressure and targeting a Jewish trustee for removal. Her email to the Columbia community was filled with all the right buzzwords — “deep commitment,” “fighting antisemitism,” “protecting students”—but somehow managed to feel like it was written by ChatGPT on autopilot.

Let’s be clear. This isn’t just about one ill-advised text thread. Columbia has been under federal investigation for its handling of antisemitism, especially in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the campus chaos that followed. Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe, unheard, and unwelcome. So, when the acting president is caught treating a Jewish trustee like a PR problem to be solved, it doesn’t exactly scream “safe space.”

And the solution? Just toss in “an Arab” to balance the optics. Because apparently, diversity at Columbia is less about meaningful inclusion and more about filling demographic quotas like it’s a college brochure photo shoot. Forget qualifications, perspectives, or contributions—just check the right boxes and hope no one notices the rot underneath.

Shipman’s defenders might argue that she’s apologized, that she’s learning, that we should all move on. But here’s the thing: when your private messages reveal more about your values than your public statements ever could, people tend to take notice. Especially when those values involve sidelining a Jewish woman for daring to speak up.

The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association has called for her resignation, and frankly, it’s hard to blame them. Trust, once broken, isn’t easily repaired with a mass email and a few carefully chosen platitudes. If Columbia wants to prove it’s serious about combating antisemitism, it needs more than damage control—it needs accountability.

Until then, the message to Jewish students and faculty is loud and clear: speak up, and you might just find yourself labeled the problem. But don’t worry—there’s always someone waiting in the wings to take your place. Preferably, someone who fits the narrative.

So, there ‘tis. 

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