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Dear Friend, Here are updates from WashU, SIUE, and SLU, plus a foretaste of Chanukah. --- WashU's Chancellor and the Chair of the Board of Trustees issued a statement entitled “Free speech and responsibility.” I invite you to read it in full. My own takeaways are:
Should you wish to email the Chancellor -- and I think he would agree that you have the right to do so -- may I encourage you to be Menchlich about it? His email is [email protected]. Between us, I have been copied on some of the messages that well-meaning people have sent to him. Alas, at times, there is room for positive improvement in tone. --- Earlier this afternoon, we hosted the second meeting of Jewish staff and faculty at WashU. They are looking to support each other and students. I believe that they are working on a statement to this effect. I also expect more faculty members to join campus programs with students as a way to integrate and demonstrate support. --- Also this afternoon, our Chabad House, along with our colleagues at Hillel, ISBA, and others, hosted the head of the American Jewish Committee, Ted Deutch, for a chat with students. Thanks to Nancy Lisker of the local AJC office and to Professor Steve Malter for making this happen. --- Eden Yair, our Israel Fellow, and Snir Dagen, JAFI Shaliach to the JCC, just returned from participating on a panel at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Few Jewish students are on that campus – we only send them six Menorah kits. There are, however, a number of detractors of Israel there, both on the faculty and among the students. Still, the program was educational, ran smoothly, and tensions were limited. Thanks to Professor Ariel Belasen for putting it together and moderating the panel. Pics are up on our Instagram. --- This evening, there was another anti-Israel protest at Saint Louis University. I felt the need to participate to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the beleaguered pro-Israel students while proudly wearing a Yarmulka. There was a strong police presence at the protest and a smattering and university administrators. All the expected slogans were chanted; all the expected signs were there. Painfully, a student who is on their campus’ Jewish Student Association felt the need to speak at the protest -- and I can confirm that he wasn’t leading Shema with the crowd... I believe there can be a bright future for SLU Jews; currently, the path seems unclear. --- The world feels like it is in a dark place. Yet, two holidays are coming up associated with light. Chanukah is in a week, but first, we will celebrate Yud Tes Kislev, which marks the redemption of the First Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745 - 1812), from Russian imprisonment. Chasidim believe that his name is associated with the Hebrew words for “two lights.” His work brought together the light of Torah and the inner light of Chasidus. We don’t always get to celebrate Chanukah with students; often, it falls out during winter break. So when we get it, we “lean in.” We have already scheduled dozens of Chanukah events, from public Menorah lightings to fraternity house gatherings to educational classes. We have also ordered ~1000 Menorahs and candle kits for students to use safely. Of course, the Chabad House will be open each night for communal lighting. I write as the scent of the first latkes wafts through the Chabad House. Our team is wrapping up a pre-Chanukah Latke Challenge inspired by the TV show Chopped. Our student judges were themselves contestants on the show. May goodness and kindness shine brightly in your life and in the entire world. Regards, Rabbi Hershey Ps - If you would like to sign up for these notes please fill in this form: https://www.chabadwashu.org/6122331
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