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Dear Ithaca College Students,

On the night of Tuesday, February 8, another disgraceful act of hate and discrimination was perpetrated on our campus. Hillel at Ithaca College unequivocally condemns this latest antisemitic expression and continues to work in partnership with Ithaca College senior leadership and the Office of Public Safety to address these recent incidents. We are grateful for the swift response of our IC partners in addressing and investigating these continued attacks. If you have any information about this or related incidents please fill out the Bias Impact Reporting Form.  You may remain anonymous.  Hillel remains committed to keeping the well-being of our students as our highest priority during this challenging time. 

In response to this latest act of hate, Hillel, in conjunction with Ithaca College administration, will be hosting an in-person gathering space for students to find comfort and solidarity on Wednesday, February 9, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Muller Chapel. This event will offer a safe space for students to receive support from Hillel, IC professional staff, and each other. For students who may not be able to attend this gathering, we encourage you to join us for Shabbat Services and Dinner this Friday, February 11, at 6:00 p.m. at Muller Chapel.

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life is present in a pastoral role for any student who needs support at this time. You can contact this office at spirituallife@ithaca.edu.

Last week, Ithaca College’s Interim President La Jerne Terry Cornish issued this statement. When President Cornish met with Jewish students during last Friday's virtual gathering she affirmed, “We are in this together, we stand with you.” A student responded and said, “I feel scared, but I don’t feel alone.” We know that trends in antisemitic activity are on the rise nationally and internationally. Although we are not immune to these hateful trends, we can stand united to reject them. We stand together to say, “Not in our house.” We thank our many campus allies, public safety officers, and campus leaders for their partnership and support.

IC Hillel and Ithaca College remain committed to addressing and preventing these acts by continuing to build flourishing Jewish communities, and partnering with our college and our administration throughout the year for proactive education and advocacy.

As a reminder, Hillel at Ithaca College will partner with the Center for IDEAS on an educational workshop to be held on Tuesday, February 22, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Clark Lounge. This workshop will be an interactive and dynamic hour in which both the history and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism are explored, as well as action steps to combat it for all participants. 

It is upon all of us to swiftly combat antisemitism and to ensure that our students have a strong Jewish home at Ithaca College. 

In solidarity,
Lauren Goldberg
Executive Director

Cantor Abbe Lyons
Chaplain and Business Manager

Max Kasler
Springboard Innovation Fellow

Isaac Schneider
Hillel Student President

Rosanna Ferro, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life