A Message regarding the senseless shooting at the Chabad Synagogue in Poway, California
By Yvette Alex-Assensoh, Vice President, Division of Equity and Inclusion and the DEI Team
April 2019
Dear Colleagues,
Unquestionably, the recent horrific and senseless shooting at the Chabad Synagogue in Poway, California during the memorial service on the last day of Passover, was a very clear reminder of the evil of hate crime perpetrated in the name of White Supremacy. It also transparently demonstrated the work that we individually and as a society, must do each blessed day not only to condemn publicly and loudly such violence but, also, to uproot it from our midst. In the most recent California example, evil did not have the final say.
Instead, the bold and prompt courageous intervention of Lori Kaye, a 60-year-old heroine who gave her life to protect Rabbi Goldstein -- coupled with the bravery of the young child who was injured as well as the love and peace that emerged in the aftermath-- are all reminders of the resilience of our Jewish brothers and sisters in the face of centuries of Antisemitic hate and evil.
On behalf of the Division of Equity and Inclusion, where we believe in the humanity of all, we are writing to share our unlimited sadness, our condolences for the bereaved families and members of the Chabad Temple, as well as our hope and commitment to do our part in bringing about a more loving and just world.
If you are not already connected to our community of change agents, please consider engaging with one of campus groups that fight against oppression in all of its forms. These coalitions of campus volunteers reflect our commitment to ensuring our campus and surrounding communities are welcoming, safe and inclusive. We also encourage you to take good care of yourselves and seek support as needed. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at vpinclusion@uoregon.edu, our colleagues at the Dean of Students and our partners at Hillel if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,Yvette Alex-Assensoh, Vice President, Division of Equity and Inclusion and the DEI Team
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