American universities have become breeding grounds for antisemitism in recent years. From Ivy League quads to state school campuses, administrators have repeatedly turned a blind eye to the most shocking displays of anti-Jewish hate while embracing every other “inclusion” initiative under the sun. These woke institutions have allowed hatred to fester unchecked, with students openly harassing Jewish classmates while facing zero consequences.

But the tide appears to be turning since President Trump took office in January. His administration has made it clear that the days of universities coddling antisemites are over, with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos promising to withhold federal funding from schools that fail to protect Jewish students. This renewed commitment to accountability seems to be making waves across academia—and one Pennsylvania university just demonstrated what taking real action looks like.

A Vile Prank Brings Real Consequences

This week, Temple University in Philadelphia swiftly suspended a student after a disturbing antisemitic incident went viral on social media. The incident involved Mohammed “Mo” Khan, who was identified in videos displaying a sign reading “F*ck the Jews” at a Barstool Sports bar in Philadelphia on Saturday night. The offensive display was met with cheers from some patrons, while others recorded the shocking scene. Seriously, who does this in 2025?

From ‘The Post Millennial’:

“Temple University has suspended student Mohammed ‘Mo’ Khan following reports of his alleged involvement in a disturbing antisemitic incident that took place at a Barstool Sports bar in Philadelphia on Saturday night. The university acted swiftly after video and social media posts revealed a group of individuals holding a sign that read ‘F*ck the Jews’ while partying.”

Temple University President John Fry didn’t waste time with mealy-mouthed statements. He immediately placed Khan on interim suspension while the university’s Division of Student Affairs conducts its investigation. “In the strongest terms possible, let me be clear: antisemitism is abhorrent. It has no place at Temple, and acts of hatred and discrimination against any person or persons are not tolerated at this university,” Fry stated on Sunday.

What makes this case particularly damning is that it wasn’t Khan’s first antisemitic rodeo. Following the incident, previous social media posts from February surfaced showing more antisemitic content from the suspended student, indicating a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated “mistake.” Remember when people used to hide their bigotry instead of broadcasting it for likes?

From Boiling Mad to Teachable Moment: Portnoy’s Pivot

The incident gained national attention largely due to the furious response from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who is Jewish and owns the bar where the incident occurred. Portnoy initially posted a video expressing his outrage, telling viewers, “I’ve been shaking, I’ve been so f*cking mad,” and promising to track down those responsible.

“I want fcking consequences for fcking actions,” Portnoy declared in his first video, vowing to identify everyone involved. After conducting his own investigation, he discovered that two waitresses had created and delivered the offensive sign at the students’ request—and immediately fired them both.

However, in a surprising turn, Portnoy’s white-hot anger evolved into something more constructive. Rather than simply “ruining” the lives of the “young f*cking morons” involved, he saw an opportunity for education. Isn’t it refreshing to see someone choose teaching over canceling?

“The more I thought about it, these are young f*cking morons who did this. They were drunk. It’s like, do you really want to ruin someone’s life?” Portnoy explained in a follow-up video. “Let’s try to turn a hideous incident into maybe a learning experience.”

Auschwitz Field Trip: The Ultimate Antisemitism Detox

Portnoy announced that he would collaborate with an anti-hate organization connected to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to send the two main perpetrators to Auschwitz in Poland. The Nazi concentration camp, where over 1.1 million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, serves as a powerful historical reminder of where unchecked antisemitism leads.

“They’re gonna do a tour of the concentration camps… Hopefully learn something,” Portnoy explained, demonstrating a distinctly conservative approach to consequences—one that emphasizes education and redemption rather than permanent cancellation.

Not everyone agreed with this approach. Some critics, including prominent Chabad rabbi Shlomo Litvin, suggested that touring “a Nazi Polish death camp, controlled by the Polish government alone, does little to combat antisemitism.” He argued for alternatives like viewing exhibits about recent Hamas attacks or meeting with Holocaust survivors. Portnoy simply responded, “I can do both.” Direct and to the point—exactly what you’d expect.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of skyrocketing antisemitism across the United States. According to the Anti-Defamation League, more than 9,300 antisemitic incidents were reported last year alone—with over half related to Israel following the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, 2023. College campuses have been particular hotbeds for this hatred, with many institutions seeming paralyzed or unwilling to meaningfully address the problem.

Temple University’s decisive action stands in stark contrast to the foot-dragging we’ve seen at places like Harvard, Columbia, and other elite institutions, where antisemitic rhetoric has been tolerated under dubious claims of “free speech” and “academic freedom.” The difference? Real accountability matters. How novel, right?

Key Takeaways:

• Temple University demonstrated how institutions should respond to antisemitism—with swift consequences and clear moral condemnation, not endless “dialogues” and “listening sessions.”
• Dave Portnoy’s approach balances accountability with education, showing there’s a middle path between consequence-free hate speech and permanent cancellation.
• The dramatic rise in antisemitism (9,300+ incidents last year) demands serious action from universities, which the Trump administration seems intent on enforcing.

Sources: The Post Millennial, Times of Israel