Dawn BonkerChapman University invites the campus community to a vigil in solidarity with the Chabad of Poway Synagogue at 4 p.m. today, Monday, April 29, in the Wallace All Faiths Chapel of the Fish Interfaith Center.
The vigil is one part of the University’s response to Saturday’s deadly shooting at the synagogue near San Diego. In a statement released today, the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education expressed condolences and called for more education to stem the tide of anti-Semitic and other hate-based violence.
“The staff of the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education at Chapman University joins with individuals and organizations around the country in expressing our grief and condolences to the family of Lori Kay and our wishes for healing to those injured in yesterday’s shooting at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue. Six months to the day after the killings at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh another community was assaulted by antisemitic violence. We stand in unity with those of many faiths and beliefs as we teach a new generation to become vigilant guardians of Holocaust memory who will stand up and speak out against antisemitism, hatred, and bigotry in all its forms,” said Marilyn Harran, Ph.D., director of the Rodgers Center.
Interfaith dialogue and remembrance will be the focus of other events this week.
“Along with Rabbi Corie Yutkin and the entire staff of the Fish Interfaith Center, I offer prayers and condolences to Chabad of Poway today. We are dedicated to furthering peace through supporting our Jewish students and students of all faiths, fostering dialogue, and furthering scholarship and education for deeper interfaith understanding. We invite you to events throughout the week fostering peace and cooperation,” said Gail Stearns, Ph.D., Dean of the Wallace All Faiths Chapel.
The events include:
Interfaith Dialogue: Exploring the Importance of Experiential Learning in the Peace-building Process
Tuesday, April 30, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Wallace All Faiths Chapel, Fish Interfaith Center
Hear experiences of Chapman’s students who have traveled to the Israeli-Palestinian region with the Olive Tree Initiative, and Chapman’s faith leaders, to learn about the role of interfaith dialogue in global conflict.
Sponsored by Chapman OTI, Peace Studies Department, and SGA
An Evening of Holocaust Remembrance
Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m.
Wallace All Faiths Chapel, Fish Interfaith Center
Display image at top/Fish Interfaith Center pictured at night (photo/Hannah Karsen)
