PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — In the wake of last weekend’s devastating attacks by Hamas on Israel and the grave loss of life that has resulted in both Israel and Gaza, members of the Brown University community gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 11, for reflection and prayer about the tragic impacts of the violence.
Speakers both encouraged empathy, courage and peace and expressed outrage, anger and shock. Religious leaders, University leaders and student leaders alike offered prayers, music and words of comfort.
And a crowd of students, faculty, staff and local community members numbering in the hundreds convened as Brown RISD Hillel and Rohr Chabad House hosted the gathering of Jewish solidarity and prayer on the steps of Faunce House at Brown’s Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center.
Rabbi Josh Bolton, executive director of Brown RISD Hillel, said that in the midst of “unthinkable, unforgivable violence and chaos” inflicted upon family members, friends and colleagues, members of the Jewish community are stuck between the paralysis of sadness and the agitation of anger — yet living this moment together.
“I look out and I see a diverse, strong Jewish people even as we mourn,” Bolton said. “I see a campus community that is flourishing. Jewish joy is very strong here… Even if that is no consolation, I hope it may be a source of strength. We are a people that has prevailed and learned to celebrate life even after facing the darkest moments of human history. We will prevail again and celebrate again, drink and break bread together again, even if the darkest hours of this moment are still ahead.”
Brown President Christina H. Paxson condemned the attacks by Hamas, calling the actions utterly unjustifiable, urging community members to consider first and foremost the horrific toll the violence and death has taken on individuals and families directly impacted and those who remain in fear as the conflict persists.
“This is not a time for blame,” Paxson said. “It is a time for empathy. The situation in Israel and Gaza is awful. We are heartbroken for the people of Israel who have been terrorized by the recent events, and who have loved ones who are dead or unaccounted for. We also feel for the families, and especially for the children who were born into lives in the Gaza Strip, who are now living in a war zone for reasons beyond their control.”
Paxson’s remarks came a day after she encouraged all Brown community members to support each other and approach difficult conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with empathy, compassion and a commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding. The coming months will likely be difficult with more loss of life and hardship, she noted during the gathering, saying that it feels impossible to see a clear path to a truly lasting, peaceful resolution of the conflict.
“At moments like this — when there are no words to convey our anguish, and when all possible ways forward seem blocked — it’s time to pray,” Paxson said before reciting the Hashkiveinu, a prayer for peace.
