October 25, 2023
Dear Community,
Tanger Hillel is proud to participate in the Global Day of Loving Kindness . Join us to help create a better world through kindness, rather than violence! The goal of this initiative, which was started by a group of Yeshiva University students, is for people around the world to perform one million acts of loving kindness today, Sunday, October 22. Together, we can fight hate with love.
I write to you with both a heavy heart and a spirit of resilience, reflecting on the challenges Jewish students face amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The impact of this war has rippled far beyond the borders of the Middle East, touching the lives of our students right here on the Brooklyn College campus.
In the past two weeks, our students have shown remarkable courage and adaptability in the face of these extraordinary circumstances. The Israel-Hamas war has presented unique challenges, evoking a range of emotions and concerns among our Jewish community. Despite these trying times, our students have demonstrated an inspiring sense of unity and determination.
I want to reassure you that the safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. In light of the conflict, we have intensified our efforts to ensure the physical safety of our facility and implement increased security measures to provide them with a secure environment on campus. Your support has enabled us to take these crucial steps, ensuring that our students can continue their studies and engage in meaningful activities without fear.
During this period, our focus has been on equipping our students with the tools they need to navigate these challenging times.
We have provided spaces for open dialogue, fostering understanding and empathy among our diverse student body.
Our dedicated wellness team has been offering individual counseling sessions, creating a safe and supportive environment for our students to express their concerns and fears.
We have organized educational sessions, action planning meetings, and programming tailored to address the complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
These initiatives aim to empower our students with knowledge, enabling them to engage in informed discussions and make a positive impact both within our community and beyond.
In the face of adversity, our students have continued to participate in activities such as meditation sessions, Torah study groups, and collaborative art projects, highlighting their determination to maintain a sense of normalcy and community spirit.
Your ongoing support is instrumental in making all of this possible. Your generosity will allow us to provide a haven for our students, where they can find comfort, support, and a sense of belonging during these challenging times.
Wishing you and your loved ones strength and resilience during these trying times. Thank you for standing with us and being a beacon of hope for our students.
A quote from King David, “May you be in peace, your house be in peace, and all that belongs to you be in peace!”
Am Yisrael Chai - Jewish people live!
Nadya Drukker
Executive Director
October 15th, 2023
Dear Community,
In the depths of our collective anguish, our community stands united, bound together by the immeasurable pain that weighs heavily on our hearts. We mourn the loss of precious lives, cruelly snatched away in a terrorist attack by Hamas. Our hearts ache, yet nothing will waver from our steadfast commitment to our Jewish identity and unwavering support for Israel. We are more than a community; we are a family, bound by faith, resilience, and an unyielding spirit.
Our top priority since last Saturday morning has been ensuring that our students feel safe and supported.
Although we are devastated, we have witnessed incredible moments of leadership, unity, and togetherness in our community:
Inside the sanctuary of Tanger Hillel House, our students find solace.
Day and night, our dedicated staff provides unwavering support and the OU-JLIC Rabbi offers pastoral care.
Leaders of the Tanger Hillel affiliated student groups combined their efforts and hosted a meaningful student-led vigil at Brooklyn College Quad. We sang and prayed together as a united community.
We joined tens of thousands of New Yorkers in a powerful show of solidarity with Israel at the NY Stands with Israel Vigil and Rally organized by UJA Federation of NY and JCRC.
We hosted programs for Jewish students and non-Jewish allies to educate and inform them about the conflict emphasizing that brutality and terror can never be justified!
It is disheartening to witness some college students embracing extremist ideologies, creating an unsafe environment for all. Yet, despite the tensions, we commend our student leaders and incredible team for their resilience and maturity in handling the situation.
We are grateful to the Brooklyn College President for unequivocally condemning Hamas's terror acts and to the NYPD for safeguarding our students.
As we continue to create spaces and opportunities to grapple with the horrors of the ongoing war, we cannot ignore the harsh reality we face. It is crucial that we continue providing physical safety for our students. It is imperative that we secure an additional guard stationed at our entrance, an expense that could not have been anticipated.
In this trying time, your support will guarantee that Tanger Hillel remains an open, safe, and inclusive space.
The road ahead is fraught with challenges. In the words of our tradition: “May the One who makes peace in high places make peace for us, for all Israel, and for all humanity.”
Am Yisrael Chai - The people of Israel live!
Nadya Drukker
Executive Director
October 9th, 2023
Dear Community,
I find myself at a loss for words as I reach out to you tonight. My heart is heavy with concern for the well-being and safety of our Jewish students at Brooklyn College.
The recent events in Israel have deeply shaken our community, hitting close to home for many of our students who have relatives and friends directly affected. The impact of these distressing events is both personal and profound, leaving our students in a state of helplessness and despair. Throughout the weekend, we have remained in close contact with our student leaders who have expressed a strong desire to respond meaningfully to the crisis.
Today, while Brooklyn College was closed in observance of Columbus Day, Tanger Hillel opened its doors, providing a safe space for our students to gather, share their emotions, and find comfort in their community. Beyond our students, our team, including our Israel Fellow and another staff member who is Israeli, is deeply affected. They, too, need space and strength to navigate the distressing news from home.
Tomorrow, as a way to stand together in solidarity during these trying times, we are partnering with different clubs on campus to hold a vigil on the Quad, a powerful demonstration of unity and resilience. After the Vigil, we will join various Jewish organizations at a rally in front of the United Nations.
I will keep you informed as we explore further ways to support our students in the coming weeks and stand in solidarity with Israel. In the meantime, I pray for the security of Israel's citizens, the safety of all hostages, and the full recovery of the injured.
Am Israel Chai!
Nadya