Dear Members of the Campus Community,
A week ago, I reached out to campus about the horrific events that took place in Sri Lanka; today, we mourn another loss of life to violence, this time at Chabad of Poway, a Jewish congregation in Southern California, close to an area that many of our students and their families call home.
While our colleagues in Student Affairs have reached out over the weekend to those we believe may be most personally affected by this act of terrorism, we know that the impact is not confined to religious affiliation or geographic proximity. An attack on a synagogue, on persons living their faith and celebrating Passover, is an attack on us all. Our hearts are with all those affected, especially the Jewish members of our campus community and the families of those injured or killed.
The continuing violent expressions in our world of anti-Semitism and intolerance of any kind are heartbreaking, infuriating, and unacceptable. Please reach out to those around you to offer your love and support. There is great healing power in being with and for each other in times of challenge and sorrow. As Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, the injured leader of Congregation Chabad has said, "We will not let anyone or anything take us down. Terrorism like this will not take us down."
Isiaah
Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President