Community Gathering Tonight/ An Invitation from CSL and Hillel

Dear Emerson students, staff, and faculty, 

I am writing this morning to invite our Jewish community members and allies in solidarity to a Community Gathering this evening at 7:45 pm in Little Building (LB) Classroom 227 as a space to share music, reflections, support, and community — as we process yet another act of antisemitism here at Emerson. This space, which is being led and planned by our Hillel student leaders, our Hillel Advisor, Jake Freedman, and myself, intends to be a place to be nourished and supported in community. 

In times like these, I often turn to our many faith traditions for wisdom and guidance, and in particular, today I am reminded that an ancient call within Judaism is the concept of tikkun olam, or the repair/mending of the world. This urgent need to fix what is broken is so abundantly clear in so many corners of our world, this country, and our campus community — and today, as we do this work of mending, particularly from acts of antisemitism, I hope those who are hurting today can be supported through coming together at this evening’s Community Gathering. This call to mend starts with care for oneself and one’s own wholeness — and extends into our actions, our commitments, and how we show up in our communities. 

With a particular invitation to our Jewish community and allies in solidarity, please consider joining us this evening at 7:45pm. Updates and more information will be posted on EmConnect. 

Julie Avis Rogers, on behalf of the Center for Spiritual Life and Emerson Hillel