Rutgers University is standing by comedian Ramy Youssef after a state lawmaker asked the school to reconsider choosing the actor as a commencement speaker.
Assemblyman Avi Schnall, who is a rabbi, wrote a letter to Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway that said Youssef is “widely seen as polarizing.”
Schnall’s letter did not offer specifics, but Youssef has advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza. He also said during an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” last year that he prayed to “free the people of Palestine.”
Youssef later defended his remarks on the NBC show, telling the New York Times his statements were “completely inoffensive.”
Schnall, D-30th District, is one of two Orthodox Jewish state legislators in New Jersey. His district in Monmouth and Ocean counties includes Lakewood, which has a large number of Orthodox Jewish residents.
Schnall’s letter to Rutgers said Youssef’s role at the May 22 Rutgers-Newark commencement “risks alienating and isolating many Jewish and Israeli students,” according to the letter posted by TAPinto Belmar/Lake Como, a local news site.
“I urge you to uphold the values that Rutgers aspires to represent,” Schnall wrote.
“By inviting a commencement speaker whose political positions are deeply hurtful to Jewish and Israeli students, Rutgers is sending the wrong message — that some identities and experiences matter less. I could not remain silent," the lawmaker said.
Youssef did not immediately respond to a request for comment left with his media representatives.
Rutgers defended its selection of Youssef.
“Ramy Youssef is a celebrated writer and artist who has deep ties to New Jersey and to Rutgers-Newark, which he attended. His selection as commencement speaker at Rutgers-Newark reflects a tradition of honoring individuals who embody resilience, creativity, and connection to our community,” the university said in a statement.
Rutgers officials said the selection of Youssef as a commencement speaker was extensively reviewed. He will be awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts degree at the ceremony, which will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark.
“Nominations for commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients at Rutgers-Newark are thoughtfully reviewed by a campus-wide committee including students, faculty, and staff that makes final recommendations,” a university spokesperson said.
Youssef, 34, is a Muslim who was born in Queens, New York, and moved with his family to Rutherford, where he attended high school.
He attended Rutgers from 2009 to 2011, leaving eight years before his breakthrough role on the Hulu comedy-drama “Ramy.” The show centers on an Egyptian American millennial whose Muslim family lives in North Jersey.
His high-profile advocacy in support of Palestinians has drawn both support and criticism.
“I have a lot of friends who are artists there who are currently directly being affected, directly under fire,” Youssef told NJ Advance Media in December 2023.
“So many days I feel like everything that I’m doing is pointless knowing that that’s going on ... It’s not just the last two months. It’s something that has always been connected to my heart in the work,” he said.
Followed his “Saturday Night Live” appearance last year, Youssef made a plea for freeing the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
In his letter to Rutgers, Schnall cited reports of rising antisemitism allegations on U.S. campuses, including at Rutgers, which was the site of extensive pro-Palestinian protests last year.
Schnall wrote his letter before four people, including three Rutgers students, were arrested Tuesday at a protest outside the Rutgers Hillel on the New Brunswick campus. Hillel was hosting an event, attended by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, focused on rising antisemitism on college campuses.
Youssef’s latest show, “#1 Happy Family USA,” debuted last month on Amazon. It is set in New Jersey and chronicles an Egyptian American Muslim family living in New Jersey in the early 2000s.
In a statement released by Rutgers last month, Youssef expressed appreciation for being selected as Rutgers-Newark’s commencement speaker.
“Thirteen years ago I took a ‘break’ from Rutgers to pursue acting. The break is now over. I am honored to be giving this year’s commencement speech, and to finally receive a college degree. Thank you Rutgers for this honor, and for making my parents feel like the three semesters of tuition they paid for was actually worth it,’’ he said.
Stories by Rob Jennings
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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.