I want to share an important update regarding our efforts to address the appointment of Nicholas Payton at Berklee College of Music.

Based on public statements made by Mr. Payton himself, it appears that Berklee has terminated his employment. While this is an important step, I fear that these actions were taken to protect the college’s image, not to correct its failure.

At no point has Berklee publicly acknowledged Mr. Payton’s long record of antisemitic statements, which were made openly over the course of years. The administration has not condemned antisemitism without condition. It has not apologized to Jewish students, alumni, or faculty whose trust was broken by Mr. Payton’s appointment. It has not announced any institutional changes to ensure that such a failure does not happen again.

Removing a single individual without addressing the underlying issue is not enough. Berklee still owes its community a full accounting of how this happened, a public affirmation that antisemitism will not be tolerated, and a clear plan to ensure that future leadership reflects the college’s stated values.

Your support for this petition is proof that this silence cannot and will not be accepted. Thank you for standing with me,  with Berklee’s Jewish students and faculty. Our work continues.