Dear IHP Community:

Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the attack by Hamas on Israel, which has since escalated into a Mideast war, with thousands of lives lost. It is a conflict that began with Hamas and Israel and now involves Lebanon and Iran. There are no signs of this deadly war ending anytime soon. The violence, rising death toll, and health equity issues have impacted people around the world and here at the IHP. Understandably, students, faculty, and staff all have differing perspectives on what’s happening in the Middle East.

As Jewish people around the world embark on a month of holy days that began with Rosh Hashanah last night, let’s remember that these religious celebrations may be difficult given the current context, just as they have been for Muslim people who observed Eid and Ramadan while mourning the loss of life in Gaza this year. No community should have to live through the tragedy the people of Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon are enduring. My heart goes out to all who are experiencing the effects of this conflict and living through the devastation we are seeing.  

I mentioned this a year ago and it’s worth repeating: we are an education community, so it’s incumbent upon us to read, listen, and understand the complexities of this conflict --and its brutalities. At the IHP, we will continue to live our values of free speech, open communication, and dialogue so that we can be educated on the issues facing those in harm’s way. And when you need resources to address the issues or emotions you may be experiencing, please seek them out. To help, there will be processing sessions to assist those wishing to avail themselves of them:

DATE: October 7th:

Palestinian and Muslim Community Affinity Space
3:00-4:00pm
Facilitator: Dr. Hanan Hashem

Israeli and Jewish Community Affinity Space
4:00-5:00pm
Facilitator: Jen Wofford

If you would like to participate in either or both spaces, please mwallace1 [at] mghihp.edu (email Michelle Wallace) for the Zoom link.

All processing spaces are open to IHP faculty/staff/students. Additional identity-based processing spaces can be scheduled upon request. As always, EAP and SAP are available for 1:1 meetings with students, faculty, and staff.

With the somber anniversary upon us, we know this is a difficult time and we are committed to supporting all members of our community.

With hope for peace,

Paula