As the crisis between Gaza and Israel enters its 15th day, having claimed more than 550 Gazan and 27 Israeli lives by The New York Times’ count, student religious groups and advisors along with campus activists have voiced concerns over the rising violence and human toll.
Executive director of Dartmouth Hillel Rabbi Edward Boraz said several worried community members have come into his office to discuss the crisis. The conflict, he said, came up at last week’s Shabbat, during which he and other Hillel members prayed for peace and wisdom.
“We don’t want a war,” he said. “We don’t want to see innocent life taken.”
Boraz added that Hillel is considering an event that would acknowledge the crisis but expressed uncertainty about the event’s timeframe or structure. He said he was aware of the possible limitations of holding an event during the last few weeks of Ramadan and wanted to remain sensitive to every factor that could possibly limit dialogue.
Muslim and multi-faith advisor Sharif Rosen said the nature of the conflict makes it difficult for many students, who are left to follow the news, creating an “odd sense of consternation.”
“The students that are here that I’ve spoken to — some have said they have felt powerless,” Rosen said. “They’re hoping for a cessation of the violence as soon as possible.”
Rosen said there have been discussions within the Dartmouth Muslim community in conjunction with the nightly events that have been held for Ramadan. He said he has encouraged students to pray and possibly to write their senators.
Rosen also said that there have been discussions of co-hosting an event with at least Hillel and Al-Nur, the College’s Muslim student association, which could include a joint prayer and a candlelight vigil. With any possible event, he said, parties must make intentions clear from the outset.
“We have to be right off the bat in understanding that we’re not here to debate,” he said. “We’re here as people who have a common interest in peace.”
J Street U summer co-chair Steven Povich ’16 said he had not observed much campus-wide reaction. He noted, however, that J Street U held a recent dinner event and was in the process of planning another.
Al-Nur president Hamza Abbasi ’16 wrote in an email that many members of Dartmouth’s Muslim community have family and friends who live in Palestine. Each day’s news, he said, has brought grief and worry.
“The pictures coming out of Gaza are absolutely heartbreaking,” he wrote. “This month is the sacred month of Ramadan for Muslims and during the nightly prayer service, we’ve been praying for peace and for the families of the wounded and for those that have lost their lives.”
Religious organizations should come together and pray for peace, he added.
“I think a primary goal of student organizations is to inform the student populace and increase awareness,” he wrote. “That is part of what we’re hoping to do with events such as candlelight vigils.”
Religious and spiritual life director Rev. Nancy Vogele said the Tucker Foundation is reviewing an event that could bring different faiths together to discuss the issue. The Foundation is looking at different options, she said.
“You want to be very sensitive and mindful about how to bring to people together,” she said.
Representatives from Chabad and Students for Justice in Palestine could not be reached for comment by press time.
