Home > Campus Climate Update #2
Campus Climate Update #2 – Town Hall Information September 6, 2024
To the Maryland Jewish Community: With the one-year mark of October 7 still a month away, we are relieved that our voices were heard and the SJP event will not take place as it was originally, offensively planned on 10/7.
I want to express sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for speaking up to ensure October 7th remains a meaningful, solemn day. We were in close communication with the University and are grateful to President Pines, Dr. Perillo, and the UMD administration for their commitment to ensuring 10/7 remains free of hate on our campus. Please see the joint statement the Jewish Student Union and Maryland Hillel shared with the community on Monday regarding this decision. We also extend our warm appreciation to the University of Maryland Police Department, led by Chief Mitchell, for their hard work and dedication in keeping Jewish Terps safe.
Maryland Hillel and our student leaders are hard at work planning events and programs to connect emotionally, educationally, and intellectually through song, prayer, and reflection. I am so inspired by the resilience, strength, and dedication of our students fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Please join us for a town hall meeting on Wednesday, September 18 at 8:00 p.m. EST. During this meeting, our students and Maryland Hillel staff will share plans for October 7 remembrance, Israel education and advocacy on campus, provide an update on the current campus climate, and discuss how parents, alumni, and community members can support these efforts. Please register here for the town Hall meeting. We have also established a fund to combat antisemitism and enhance campus security, and we are grateful to those who are able to contribute.
Building on one of our largest Welcome Back BBQs, we are excited to celebrate with President Pines and other community leaders as we break ground on the new Maryland Hillel Building this coming Sunday, September 8th. Additionally, we will celebrate Jewish joy on September 27 with our 1000 Shabbat: United Against Hate, providing us with the energy and strength needed to enter the new year—a year of peace, renewal, and healing. This Israel Solidarity Shabbat will unite the Jewish community in celebration, offering a time to come together in support, reflection, and connection.
Above all, the most important priority of UMD Hillel is creating a safe environment for Jewish students. We remain in close communication with the UMD administration, urging them to maintain their efforts to eliminate hate and bias on campus and support the well-being of every Jewish student.
Our thoughts remain with all the Israelis, Jews, and innocent bystanders caught in the horrific war initiated on October 7. As the school year progresses, I look forward to the many moments we will share together. We continue to center our efforts around the theme: “While others are attempting to generate the noise of oy, we are focused on creating the music of joy.
B’Shalom, Ari
CAMPUS CLIMATE UPDATE #1 August 27, 2024
Good afternoon Jewish community,
Yesterday was the first day of classes, and things are humming! Last week, we greeted a record 301 Freshmen in the largest Jewish FreshFest in the country. Tonight, from 5-7 PM at Hillel, at our opening BBQ we will welcome over 1,200 Terps and President Pines for some tasty kosher food – to connect with our resilient community and celebrate our pride in being Jewish Terps! While others are attempting to generate the noise of oy, we are focused on creating the music of joy!
While we are celebrating our Jewish pride, others in the Maryland community are not. We are aware that Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is putting up flags on the mall today (Tuesday, August 27th), and will also be gathering for speeches at 1 PM. As President Pines remarked yesterday in his campus email, free speech, including hate speech, is protected under the Constitution and at the same time, all antisemitism and hateful speech needs to be reported to the University (BISS). The UMD police will be present at all anti-Israel protests to ensure that the event goes off without any disturbances, and we urge our own community not to try to disturb or counter-protest these events. Understanding that these anti-Israel protests can be disturbing, we at UMD Hillel are here with open doors – and open arms – to help any student.
Separately, we are also aware that SJP has reserved the mall on October 7th which is an affront to a day of Jewish tragedy and mourning. Our pro-Israel student leaders have reserved a separate large space (Hornbake Plaza) on the same day. It is important to note that while SJP followed campus protocol to reserve space on October 7th and didn’t violate any UMD rules in doing so, we did voice our concerns with senior UMD leadership (President, VP). We apprised them of the emotional load SJP’s callous behavior will bear on our Jewish community if they protest on the greatest Jewish day of mourning and tragedy since the Holocaust.
All in all, I am in daily contact with the University administration and police who remain stellar pillars of support for our community. We cherish our relationships and these allies help provide constant and vigilant police presence around Hillel and other Jewish spaces on campus. At the same time, we are very much aware of the e rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on campus and around the globe; sadly, College Park is not immune. Students should reach out to me or any of Hillel’s student leaders who can assist in filing a BISS or student conduct report; or in case of an emergency reach out to the police.
As we navigate these tense times on campus, I encourage you to:
Check on one another. Everyone’s reaction to today’s protest will be different, but we all gain strength when we know that someone else is thinking of us. A simple text can make a world of difference.
Come together. The Hillel Building will be open all day today (as it is every day) and full of activities designed to help you de-stress. Hillel staff will be there to talk and support you, whatever you are feeling.
Take care of yourself. You know best what you will need for your spiritual and emotional wellbeing. Take the time tomorrow to do that. Find some nature, watch a movie, exercise, read a book. Whatever it is, recognize that self-care is necessary and a sign of well-ordered priorities.
Please stay safe, take care of yourselves, and know that you have a strong and supportive community here at Hillel. In these challenging times in Israel, we want to let you know that Hillel is here to support you. We understand that the current situation may be causing stress and anxiety, and we are committed to providing resources to help you navigate these difficult times.
Here’s to a great first week!
B’shalom, Ari
