Division News & Statements
Statement: anti-Semitic vandalism at Temple Emanuel
October 16, 2019
Dear Campus Community,
Far too often we’ve had to share statements about hate and tragedy. These statements have been in response to national and international instances of violence or hatred. Sadly, this time, we are reacting to a local instance of hate when anti-Semitic posters were placed on the front doors of Temple Emanuel, a local synagogue in Grand Rapids, miles from our downtown campus.
This intolerable act should outrage all of us. People might ask why we continue to write these statements. In moments like this, I think of the quote by Elie Wiesel (Holocaust survivor, writer, and political activist) is a reminder, “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
As we come to our fall break and the midpoint of our semester, let us recommit to dismantling the systems that produce prejudice, fear and hatred. Let us also stay in a humble place by remaining open to learning from people’s lived experiences and speaking up when we see instances of bias or hate.
The well-being of our campus community is our top priority. The University Counseling Center ((616) 331-3266) offers support for students experiencing overwhelming emotions following a tragic event, and the Human Resources Office ((616) 331-2215) provides a number of resources for employees. Any member of the Grand Valley family who needs support or information on resources can also contact Kevin McIntosh, Coordinator of Campus Interfaith Resources. He can be reached at [email protected].
Very sincerely,
Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D.
Vice President for Inclusion and
Equity
Grand Valley State University