An Important Update on the Situation in the Middle East

Dear Hebrew Union College Community,

Our hearts are heavy as we witness the deepening crisis in the Middle East. Even as diminishing Iranian nuclear capacity makes our world safer, the threat of broader escalation between Israel and Iran is now real, opening new dangers. We are holding in our thoughts all those affected by this volatile and painful moment, particularly those in our community in Israel. So many of our loved ones, friends, and colleagues are in the region, and their well-being is our primary concern.

Safety remains our first priority and we are executing our ongoing work with this in mind. We are drawing on contingency plans developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and after October 7. Jerusalem Dean Nachman Shai, Ph.D., is leading our efforts from Prague, where he was on vacation when the escalation began. He will return to Israel as soon as flights resume. Taube Family Campus Chief Financial Officer Einav Lahav and Chief Operating Officer Dganit Jenshil are stepping back into the leadership roles they held following October 7 as they support our team on the ground. In North America, we are in ongoing coordination with our academic partners and local police to maintain and update security as needed.

Contingency Planning and Decision Making
Over the weekend, Hebrew Union College academic and administrative leadership in Israel and North America convened to assess the evolving situation and its potential impact on our programs and events over the next few weeks from the planned start of the Year-In-Israel program at the end of the month, to our upcoming alumni gatherings in mid-July, and even our board solidarity delegation in October. We will communicate program decisions over the next weeks as final plans are made. The latest updates are always available on our resource page.

Programs in Israel
Our Taube Family Campus leadership will continue to monitor and follow all security alerts and guidance from authorities. With our Israeli Rabbinic Program running remotely until at least the end of the week, and Ulpan MILAH currently on break, our most immediate student concern is the Year-In-Israel (YII) class, most of whom were scheduled to arrive in the next 10 days. Rabbi Reuven Greenvald, Director of the Year-In-Israel program, and his team have been in close contact with students, especially those who arrived early. Given the realities of the moment, we have made the difficult decision to delay the in-person portion of the Year-In-Israel program until at least July 27. Between now and then, a series of program activities that accommodate in-person, hybrid, and fully-Zoom modalities will be scheduled. We are closely monitoring events and will communicate promptly if we need to make further changes. Students should check their Canvas site for further details.

Supporting One Another
Hebrew Union College’s Taube Family campus community in Jerusalem includes Palestinians and Israelis, Jews and non-Jews, and we are committed to fostering a spirit of compassion, mutual respect, and solidarity. We recognize the complexity of this moment and the diverse emotions within our community.

The threat of a nuclear-armed Iran is a profound concern, long shared by U.S. and Israeli administrations and the international community. Israel’s recent military action represents a decisive step towards neutralizing this threat, demonstrating its resolve and capability while protecting the world from a state sponsor of terror.

We remain mindful of the human cost and the heightened risks that come from such escalations. We also recognize that there are different views on how best to degrade or neutralize the threat of a nuclear Iran. Some may feel relief or pride that Israel’s military acted decisively. Others may have hoped that more time was given to reach diplomatic solutions, even as we all recognize the courage of the IDF soldiers called into service. In short, we can be grateful that Iran’s capacity has been degraded alongside concern for what comes next now that an expanded military operation is underway.

Finally, as the news and our attention shift towards escalation in Israel’s east, let us not forget the hostages held for over 600 days and the suffering that continues to devastate Gaza in its west. Let us all pray that peace comes swiftly to the entire region.

Now is a moment when we need your support. Please consider making a gift to the Israel Emergency Fund. This fund allows us to meet the emergent needs of our Jerusalem campus community at times of crisis such as this. Your support makes a tremendous difference.

Thank you for your ongoing care for the Hebrew Union College community. If you are looking for additional ways to make a difference, please continue to send messages of solidarity to our colleagues in Israel. Knowing that we are thinking about them means a great deal.

B’vracha,

Andrew