Response to Shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue

October 28, 2018

Editor's note: This message was originally sent out by the Center for Jewish Studies on Oct. 28, 2018.

 

. . .קֹ֣ול בְּרָמָ֤ה נִשְׁמָע֙. . . רָחֵ֖ל מְבַכָּ֣ה עַל־בָּנֶ֑יה

"A voice is heard in Ramah . . . Rachel is weeping for her children." (Jeremiah 31:15)

 

Dear Members of the UC Santa Cruz Center for Jewish Studies Community,

We write in mourning for the Jewish community of Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh and also in solidarity with them, our brothers and sisters. As scholars of Jewish history, we know all too well the terrible toll of anti-Semitism. Now, this plague has taken more innocent lives. 

Even before the tragedy in Squirrel Hill, we were planning on hosting a public event on "Anti-Semitism and the Internet" this coming spring. In its wake, we are more determined than ever to fight hatred with knowledge; falsehood with truth. We invite you to join us. 

Please look for our event announcement when it becomes available. 

With Heavy Hearts,

Nathaniel Deutsch
Professor of History
Baumgarten Chair in Jewish Studies
Director of the Center for Jewish Studies

Murray Baumgarten
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Literature
Founding Director of the Center for Jewish Studies

Rachel Deblinger
Lecturer in History and Jewish Studies
Director of the Digital Jewish Studies Initiative

Alma Heckman
Assistant Professor of History and Jewish Studies
Neufeld-Levin Chair in Holocaust Studies

Peter Kenez
Emeritus Professor of History

Bruce Thompson
Lecturer in History, Literature, and Jewish Studies