Tuesday, Oct 30, 2018
The Rider community is invited to join a Solidarity Vigil on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. on Kaplan Plaza (in front of Lynch Adler Hall) on the Lawrenceville campus, where the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pa., will be honored and remembered.
In a letter to the campus community, President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., and Vice President for Student Affairs Leanna Fenneberg, Ph.D., wrote, "This senseless tragedy impacts us all, but particularly those in our Jewish community. We would like our Jewish faculty, staff and students to know that we stand with you and are here to support you however we can."
The vigil was collaboratively planned by Student Affairs, Hillel, Black Student Union and members of the University's local faith communities.
In addition to the vigil, campus resources are available to any student who feels he or she needs assistance processing this event or other recent events such as the Kentucky shooting that is being investigated as a racially motivated hate crime and the rash of pipe bombs sent to individuals around the country. Counseling Services are available on the Lawrenceville Campus in Zoerner House (609-896-5157) and on the Princeton Campus in Williamson Hall (609-921-7100, ext. 8275).
"When detestable, incomprehensible acts of violence occur, it is understandable to feel a deep sense of anger, despair and anguish," Dell'Omo and Fenneberg wrote in their letter. "We mourn the individuals whose lives were lost, and we question the motives of those who commit inhumane acts of hatred. At the same time, we look to one another for support, understanding, acknowledgment and even answers."