30 May 9 • 2019
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A Moment of Unity at U-M
A
“Moment of Unity” for the
victims of the Chabad of
Poway shooting was held
at noon Monday, April 29, at the
University of Michigan Diag, with
opening words from students Leor
Rosen, chair of Hillel Governing
Board, and Aviva Nemeth, Hillel
Religious Life Chair.
“We knew it would be
challenging to gather during
exams, but it felt important for
our Hillel and Chabad to work
together to bring a Moment of
Unity to our campus. Students
seemed grateful for a moment
to come together as a communi-
ty, offer support for one another
and acknowledge the tragedy
in Poway, Calif.,” said Tilly
Shames, U-M Hillel executive
director.
Rabbi Alter Goldstein from
Chabad House of Ann Arbor
spoke about the Chabad com-
munity in Poway, where his
uncle, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein,
is the rabbi. He shared a psalm in
prayer for his uncle’
s continued
healing from his wounds during
the attack. He also mentioned Lori
Gilbert-Kaye, who was killed in the
shooting, and the group shared a
moment of silence. Then Rabbi Jared
Anstandig from Hillel recited “Psalm
23,” often shared at funerals, in her
memory.
Student Jordyn Singer, co-presi-
dent of the U-M Chabad House of
Ann Arbor, offered a poem.
“We feel the pain of anti-Semit-
ic violence particularly and most
deeply in the Jewish community and
acknowledge that this attack adds
to the pain from the shooting at
the synagogue in Pittsburgh, which
many are still working to heal from,”
Hillel’
s Rav Lisa Stella told the crowd.
“We know, however, that identi-
ty-based violence doesn’
t only affect
the Jewish community, and there has
been a lot of violence in the world
against ours and other religious com-
munities in recent months, and that
these things are connected. We stand
with one another against hate of all
kinds and are grateful to those stand-
ing with us now who are not mem-
bers of the Jewish community who
came in support and solidarity.”
Student Rachel Levy of Hillel gave
an introduction to the MiShebeirach
prayer, mentioning those injured in
Poway, but also referencing a broader
need for healing as well. She and stu-
dent Adam Kahana led the singing
of the prayer. The vigil closed with
singing Oseh Shalom and with a
short prayer for peace. ■
— Keri Guten Cohen
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ORR VIZNITSER
CHABAD
Rabbi Alter Goldstein from
Chabad House of Ann Arbor
Students in Ann Arbor
gathered on the Diag.