Letter to the Editor: Chabad at UNF responds to white nationalist hate, offers counseling
November 19, 2017
On Monday Nov. 20, a White Nationalist Rally is reported to be scheduled at the University of North Florida.
Many are joining counter protestors and others are following the advice of law enforcement to ignore the desperate haters. Chabad at UNF has been counseling students and addressing concerns of worried families and friends.
“We cannot sit idly by as banners of hate waived by the murderers of millions of Jews is raised in our midst,” said Rabbi Shmuli Novack, who has served the Jewish community at UNF since 2000.
“As a form of counter-protest we are launching a massive campaign encouraging Jewish students to enhance their Jewish involvement and all students to increase in acts of goodness and kindness,” Nocak said. “The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches us that you cannot simply fight darkness with a stick, but one flame can illuminate even the darkest of places.”
In response to the scheduled hate rally we have ordered hundreds of Chanukah menorahs to enable students to kindle the Chanukah lights as a prayer for peace and freedom. Chabad will not be actively joining the counter-protesters in person but will have staff on hand to counsel students.
We are grateful to President Delaney and UNFPD for taking necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of all students. UNF continues to be welcoming of and an excellent choice for Jewish students.
“That symbol, the swastika, is an absolute abomination, is anti-American and belongs nowhere but in the ash-heap of history,” said Novack. “Jewish students ought never to be intimidated to identify with their faith on campus or anywhere else.”
Students can message Facebook.com/jewishospreys, email [email protected] or call 904-646-4434 for counseling.
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