EUGENE, ore — Eugene’s Jewish community — undaunted — after a series of anti-Semitic incidents in University of Oregon residence halls.

We’re learning more about an ongoing investigation into reports of swastika graffiti and the removal of material supporting the Israeli hostages and Jewish students.

Oregon Hillel Executive Director Lenny Steinburg says, “These students are shaken. They are not discouraged.” He adds, “It’s hard not to feel that this is an attack on the Jewish community.”

On Sunday, Nov. 10, a swastika and a Hitler-style mustache were drawn on the photo of a Jewish resident assistant on a student residence bulletin board — that’s according to Steinburg.

He says, “On the way back to their dormitory, and reported it to me, they found out that in the same way, how I wear one of these yellow ribbons, it’s an indicator that we would like all the Israeli hostages who had been ripped apart and stripped of their dorm room door and decor they had put together.”

Steinburg adds, “And then it had also come out that another Jewish student within Unthank Hall had his mezuzah, indicating that this is a Jewish house on the doorpost, tampered with and vandalized.”

There were also reports that controversial leaflets, described as anti-Israel, were slipped under doors in three residential buildings. Jewish and non-Jewish students received this material.

The university sent an email Thursday — notifying students that university police and the UO Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance are investigating the incidents.

Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council, Margot Helphand, said: “We would assume they were made by students because it’s a residence where students live… and that it’s very sad that students would make other students feel unsafe.

She adds, “I have to say that the U of O, the administration, has been exemplary in its response to these. They took them as seriously as they should have.”

Helphand emphasized the importance of dialogue, education and coalition building with other marginalized communities.

She says, “Because if a community is at risk, we’re all at risk. We’re all affected. It’s connected. Hate is connected. All forms of hate are connected.”

Helphand also expressed concern about a rise in anti-Semitism following last week’s election.

She adds, “I’m very concerned since the election that there’s going to be an increase in all forms of hate and bigotry. Anti-Semitism, which is linked to other forms of hate and bigotry — hate and bigotry against immigrants, refugees and transgender people. So my perception is that we must be vigilant and stand up for each other right now.

With approximately 2,000 Jewish students, making up 7 to 8 percent of the student population, the University of Oregon is home to one of the nation’s largest Jewish campus populations.

Steinburg says students have responded to these incidents by building unity and solidarity.

He says, “It’s a moment when someone’s hateful act has made them want to deepen their Jewish identity, become leaders within the community, showcase who they are and be proud of who they are even more… So while someone was trying to discourage us from being able to express our Jewish identity and who we are, in fact it did the opposite.”

These controversial pamphlets titled “The Olive Tree” were distributed by student groups from the UO Palestine Coalition, including Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voices for Peace.

According to a statement from the coalition, these leaflets have been distributed in residential buildings for over two months and clarified that “The olive tree was distributed on a different day than the swastika was reportedly drawn and posters were removed, as the two were completely unrelated.”

The group also said:

“The UO Palestine Coalition unequivocally condemns anti-Semitism of all kinds. Jewish students make up a disproportionately large percentage of the membership of our coalition, and we know all too well the dangers and evils of anti-Semitism and Nazism.”