Loyola Jewish community upset over Helen Thomas appearance
The eighth floor of the Mundelein Center, home to the many religious organizations of Loyola University Chicago, is usually a peaceful place. But this week, a rift between Hillel, an organization for Jewish students and faculty at Loyola, and the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) is evident.
The disagreement stems from MESA’s decision to sponsor Helen Thomas as the keynote speaker for Palestine Awareness Week. Thomas will appear at 6 p.m. Thursday in Mundelein Auditorium.
“I think it’s a disgrace that our university is hosting Helen Thomas,” said Patti Ray, the director of Hillel. “She doesn’t represent any of Loyola’s values.”