director’s letter: standing in solidarity with parkland
Dear NYU community,
As the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School return to school tomorrow, they deserve to feel supported.
Last Thursday, I co-lead the “Vigil for Parkland” and heard the stories of Douglas alumni currently attending NYU. An alumnus of both institutions, Jeff Cohen, shared with me that there would be a gathering outside the school as the students returned.
As I write this letter, a delegation of NYU students is flying to Florida to join this gathering in solidarity — and gratitude. They will meet with Jewish community leaders and teens, teachers and parents. They are in pursuit of the untold stories, the uncelebrated heroes, the unsupported supporters. They will bring their messages back to us so we can not only stand in solidarity but act with clarity.
Despite the short notice, I am asking you to help in three ways:
- First, connect our delegation to anyone you know who has been affected in Parkland by emailing me.
- Second, support this effort by making a contribution here.
- Third, read and respond to the stories which our delegation shares over our platforms.
As in the story of Esther, may the day turn from mourning tocelebration and from darkness to light.
Rabbi Yehuda Sarna
University Chaplain, New York University
Skirball Executive Director, The Edgar M. Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU
