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Dear Beach Community:

 

With you, I have been shocked by the multiple acts of gun violence we have seen over the past few days – from the horror at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia and the attack on a Jewish family closer to home in Redlands, to shootings within higher education at Brown University and Kentucky State University.

 

The antisemitic attacks in Australia and Redlands are especially painful for many in our community. Violence fueled by hatred is repugnant, and all of these incidents leave us with a sense not only of grief, but also anger, fear, and confusion.

 

These events come at a time of year when we are concluding our semester and looking toward a break that, for many, carries deeper meaning as a season of celebration and renewal. This contrast can be jarring.

 

In the face of this sadness and pain, I hope that our Beach community and the relationships we share here will be a source of strength and grounding. Please look out for one another and check in on friends and colleagues who may be struggling. There are also many campus resources for both  and  if you’d find it helpful to talk with someone.

 

My best wishes remain with all of you in the weeks to come, even as we grapple together with the realities of a world challenged by tragedy.