An open letter to Jewish college students at Stanford College

We write to you as Stanford Jewish alumni who’ve been intently monitoring with nice concern the discourse on campus relating to Hamas’ terror assault of Oct. 7 and Israel’s navy response to these atrocities. We write to make sure you know that, as Jews who’re a part of the Stanford household, we stand in solidarity with you in these difficult occasions. 

As Stanford college students, you need to have the ability to depend on discovering supportive studying and dwelling environments that prioritize your bodily security and psychological well-being. When you select to, you need to have the ability to establish proudly as Jewish on campus, at school and in your dorms and homes. You must have the suitable, for those who want to train it, to have interaction in civil dialogue about Hamas’ atrocities, Israel’s response to them, the Israeli-Palestinian battle or Israel’s existence usually with out concern of bodily hurt, antisemitic insults, bullying, dehumanization and social ostracization, whether or not from fellow college students, college or employees. Stanford must be a spot the place all college students — Jewish, Muslim, Christian or any group — are capable of expertise kindness, compassion, respect and understanding that we should always all count on of each other.  

The place Stanford’s insurance policies on campus discourse and its regulation of speech on campus fail to replicate these rules — or are utilized inconsistently or unfairly — then they need to be modified. The place Stanford fails to offer you the sources it is advisable be secure from intimidation, threats and bullying, or that can assist you address what we are able to solely think about is an especially tough time to be Jewish on campus, then the College should act to make sure that Stanford stays a spot the place you possibly can be taught, develop and expertise all that Stanford has to supply. Please know that many people have already communicated our disappointment to the administration and that we are going to proceed utilizing our voices as alumni to advocate for you as Stanford college students. 

Within the days and weeks forward, we encourage you to hunt group or different help networks you need and wish, whether or not that be via the Jewish (Hillel and Chabad), College (Workplace of Spiritual and Religious Life) and/or different sources on or off campus. It’s also possible to attain out to the Stanford Jewish Alumni Community if connecting with Jewish alumni would possibly show useful. Wherever you flip, please know that we’ve got your again, will stay vigilant and can proceed to observe the campus dialog, within the hope and expectation that, in time, you’re once more comfy calling Stanford your private home away from house.

We’re circulating this letter extra broadly and count on the record of signatories to develop. We pray that you will discover consolation and help as you cope with the horrific atrocities of Oct. 7 and all of the occasions which have adopted, together with on our campus. As you discover your personal path ahead, know that you’re not solely in our prayers, but additionally on the prime of our minds.

Pamela Brewster, MBA ’87

Cody Harris, B.A. ’00 J.D. ’07

Dr. Tmirah Haselkorn, Ph.D. ’04

Dr. Martin Kenigsberg, B.A. ’74 M.A. ’74

Sharon Kenigsberg, M.A. ’80

Robin Kennedy, B.A. ’68 J.D. ’78

Steve Lazarus, M.S. ’70 Ph.D. ’79

Zohar Levy, B.A. ’22

Ethan Orlinsky, B.A. ’86

Hovav Shacham, B.A. ’00 B.S. ’00 Ph.D. ’05

Matan Shacham, B.A. ’05

Robert Smith, B.A. ’77

Michael Weis, B.A. ’86

Jane Farkas Wolk, J.D. ’91

Oded Wurman, B.S. ’05 M.S. ’05