Virginia Hillel Slams ‘Heartbreaking’ Charlottesville Violence
Image by Getty Images
After a weekend when white nationalists brought terror and racism to their city, Jewish students at the University of Virginia said they would not be cowed by the hateful display.
“The violence, loss of life, and hatred displayed here today is heartbreaking,” read a statement on Facebook from the Brody Jewish Center – University of Virginia Hillel staff. It continued: “We are always here to listen, talk, and support you. Hillel will always be a safe space for you and all students at UVa seeking refuge.”
Appended to the Facebook post was a statement from Hillel’s student-run Jewish Leadership Council, in which the students leader said they were eagerly anticipating the beginning of the academic year next week.
“We stand firmly on the side of love and acceptance; it is the diversity at our University and in the city of Charlottesville that makes it such a wonderful place to be,” the statement read.
“We are eager for all students to return to Grounds in a few short days and work together to fulfill the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of violence.”
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
