"I think [an integrated community is] apositive value, but I think secularism is apositive value," Ignatiev said. "And I thinksecularism is absolute."
Sensitivity?
After last night's forum, Allan S. Galper'93--a Crimson editor who originally petitionedHarvard Dining Services to expand its lunchtimekosher food offerings--said he was pleased withthe discussion. But Galper said he wasdisappointed that a house tutor would take aposition so insensitive to a segment of thestudent body.
"I was shocked to hear that he opposes myability to eat in the way my background requires,"Galper said, adding that he would feeluncomfortable approaching Ignatiev as a tutor onissues of concern to him as a traditional Jew.
But Dunster Senior Tutor Henriette L. Powersaid during the meeting that though she did notagree with Ignatiev, his behavior was in no wayinappropriate. "I feel very strongly that it's notthe role of every tutor in the house to becompatible with every student," Power said.
Hillel Coordinating Council Chair Shai A. Held'94, who did not attend the Dunster Housediscussion, said he was upset by Ignatiev'sopposition to Harvard's reimbursement of Hillelfor student meals.
"We are extremely disturbed that he continuesto demonstrate insensitivity and ignorance of theissues of concern to us," Held said.
In a resolution passed yesterday before theDunster meeting, the Hillel Coordinating Councilsaid it was "deeply concerned" about Ignatiev'sletter and that it plans to respond to the tutorin writing.
The final resolution was toned downsignificantly from an earlier draft, which wouldhave condemned Ignatiev and called upon him toissue a written apology to Harvard's Jewishcommunity.
The document approved last night also said thatHillel will from a "special committee" todisseminate information on campus about Jewishobservance of kosher laws.
In another resolution, the Coordinating councilextended its gratitude to Berry "for his effortsto meet the dietary needs of Jewish students."