Our university boasts one of the largest Jewish populations of any in the country, with many thousands of Jewish students, faculty, staff members and administrators. In the wake of the horrific terrorist invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023—the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah—many of these thousands of Jews at Rutgers, along with Jews across academia and throughout the world, feel isolated and abandoned, as if our people and our safety were expendable. Already, elements within universities, including ours, are attempting to justify Hamas’ brutality, drawing moral equivalencies that defy reasoned comprehension, or simply looking the other way.

We are sharing this open letter to make sure that Jews at Rutgers know they are not alone. Student organizations such as Hillel, Chabad, Rutgers Jewish Experience and AEPi have united to show solidarity with one another and with our brothers and sisters in Israel, and they provide places for students to grieve, find comfort, connect with one another and advocate for our collective needs. Faculty, staff and administrators are welcome to contact us to join meetings of JFAS (Jewish Faculty, Administrators, and Staff), an informal group that seeks to bring together Jews at the university and communicate with the administration about our concerns.

As we look ahead, we stand with all members of the Jewish community at Rutgers in praying for peace, comfort and healing for the victims of this horrific attack; the homecoming of captives; and a swift, just resolution to this terrible conflict.

Rebecca Cypess

David Greenberg

Jenny Mandelbaum

Co-Chairs, Rutgers JFAS (Jewish Faculty, Administrators and Staff)