To Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Our thoughts go out to the Virginia Tech University community at this terrible time of mourning. I thought I would share with you a condolence letter sent to Dr. Charles Steger, President of Virginia Tech, on behalf of Yeshiva University.
Dear President Steger,
I am overwhelmed with sorrow and shock at the unfathomable tragedy that occurred on your campus. As former President and International Director of Hillel: The Foundation of Jewish Campus Life, I visited hundreds of campuses around the country and can only imagine the shattering impact this act of carnage is having on the idyllic and harmonious campus of Virginia Tech.
I admire your courage and forthrightness in coping with this horrific loss as you strive to comfort students, faculty, and most of all, the parents whose children have been torn from them in the prime of their lives. Our prayers are with you and it is my hope that you will find the strength and fortitude to heal the wounds of your community as you mourn this terrible, terrible tragedy.
Richard M. Joel
Please feel free to post and comments/condolences/reflections- on this website.
Brought to you by the Undergraduate Student Councils.
50 comments:
The attack is so staggering even as I study here in New York. We stand with you in your hard times.
I can't imagine what you are going through. All I can do is send my love and hope that everyone will be comforted and find peace. God Bless.
My thoughts and prayers are with Virginia Tech
This terrible tragedy has been on our minds the last few days. We can't even begin to imagine what the Virginia Tech community is going through at this time. Stand strong and don't lose hope- our thoughts and prayers are with you.
To the students at Virginia Tech:
My heart and prayers are with you in this difficult time. The idea that someone would be so distressed to the extent that he took 32 lives, and injured many others, is unfathomable. Words of wisdom at this time are hard to find, but it is often said that through tragedy we become stronger. It is my sincere hope that in the future we will be able to support the Virginia Tech community in times of good as well.
Blessings,
Josh Vogel
President, Student Orgranization of Yeshiva
Monday's events broke my heart. No college community should ever have to deal with such a terrible tragedy. The university is meant to enlighten and empower students to take what the world has to offer and turn it into something beautiful for new generations. From the biographies I've read about the victims at Virginia Tech, these people were on their way to doing just that. They were bright, ambitious, and good people that had their potential stolen from them. Most of them were just beginning what promised to be wonderful, fulfilling lives. Just know that there are those of us who share in your pain. You are not alone...the country is mourning with you.
We are deeply saddened by the loss that we share with you. At the same time, we admire the courage shown by Professor Librescu and others in this difficult time.
I cannot even begin to imagine what this situation is like for you. We at YU would like to express our sadness and our condolences to you and we keep you in our prayers and thoughts.
It's hard to imagine what it is like for all of you. But I think of the phrase, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and I feel that if G-d gave each of you the chance to continue living you owe it to our fellow students to do something powerful and positive in this world. They were seeking to make their mark in this world and were cruelly stopped short. Let us learn from the lives they led and use those lessons to bring a brighter future to all of us.
Let us NOT allow his hatred and antisocial messages to inundate our minds. Instead let us fill our minds with solace, comfort for the mourners and hope that each of us can make a difference in each other's lives and maybe even the rest of mankind through constructive and not destructive acts.
In grief, we stand with you in support. The strength your community has displayed even in the depths of tragedy is resonating throughout the world and giving us hope. Our hearts beat together and share in your pain.
We wish you all peace and comfort in this time of terrible tragedy.
keep strong and one word pray
We offer you our prayers, peace, comfort and love. May you find the strength you need to carry on in these difficult times.
Words can't quite describe what it is that I wish you. To be comforted, to find peace? No, that is not quite what I want. I want a world where there really is, as Elliot Aronson described, nobody left to hate. I had hoped that Columbine would be the worst tragedy we would ever have to face; it is horrifying to see what happened at Virginia Tech.
Neil Gaiman wrote a beautiful blogpost in which he described how the tragedy hit home, and his realization that there are "no Other People." People with all their lives ahead of them, people like me, my age, were killed. And for what? It seems purposeless, aimless, arbitrary.
I am angry about what happened here. I want to fix it, and I wish there were a way to do something about it. But I cannot think of anything unless it is simply to care about others. So that is what I will try to do: to care a little more.
To all of you, however- to all the students- well, I wish you future happiness, fulfillment and peace, and may there be no further tragedies, only joy.
It's horrifying to read and see about the tragedy that took place on Monday--it's been very painful for me and I've been thinking about it constantly. And that's from my distant vantage point in New York--I can hardly fathom what those who attend Virginia Tech and those who knew the victims must be going through.
If this shooting is a strong example of the potential amount of destruction that a single person can perpetrate, let us all resolve to counter it by realizing our equal potential to bring good into the world. In this way, let the memories of the victims be remembered and honored.
As the Jewish mourning period that is observed this month teaches, let us all reach out and treat all of our peers with honor.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My only hope is that the students that lsot friends and families that lost relatives can cope with the situation and move on.
These words are extremely appropriate
Seaching for the stars, that were once out of reach
We now face a world, where we can touch anything.
But with the ability to be in reach of everything
Exists the ability to touch unbelievable evil.
Many do not seek or provoke the assault,
But our birth right of freedom is unthinkable to so many.
The divide between the sexes nearly extinct
Allowed to vote, drive and say what they want.
But when presented with such horrifying sights,
Things that once only occupied a nightmarish dream,
We are faced with a choice to our lives not yet faced,
Do we run to the fire or hide in the corner.
We’ve achieved what is hard, we’ve achieved what is great.
That which was hard was done for we could.
That which was great was done for it was there.
We’ve reached for the stars and nothing’s out of reach.
Yet the true measure of our people’s strength
Is how they rise to the evil that is now ever-present.
The true measure of our people’s strength
Is how to master the fear that comes from such wrong.
They are our brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers
Our friends and our workers, our heroes and our leaders.
They’ve been taken from us, ripped from our sides,
And nothing on earth can explain it away.
Come evil come good our destiny is not of our choosing
We will stand and face it or hide in the shadows.
The question you must ask is one simple question,
Will you hide in the shadows or will you run into the fire?
The streets of Heaven are too crowded with Angels tonight.
Don’t let them be forgotten, don’t let them fade away.
God bless their memory, God bless our nation’s
The streets of Heaven are too crowded with Angels tonight.
May God give all those affected by this terrible tragedy the comfort and strength to cope now and in the future.
Condolences to all who have lost family and friends and know that you are in our hearts and in our prayers.
You are in our hearts and prayers. With G-d's help, the mourners will be comforted and the deceased's memories kept alive.
Virginia Tech, as a fellow college students I would like to express my sorrow for your loss. No words can console but please know that around the world people are feeling for you.
Fully realizing that nothing can be said to mitigate the horrifying pain and heartbreak that you must be feeling at this time - I want you to know that you are not alone. Across the country and across the world, people are feeling for you.
May G-d help you to find comfort in the fond memories of those that were lost.
To the Virginia Tech family:
There's nothing we can say that would capture the embrace we would like to give each of you.
Nothing we say can possibly make sense of this nightmare.
And there's truly nothing we can say that will bring back your loved ones.
But we convey our prayers and words of comfort nonetheless, with the hope to add another concentric circle to the source of strength we call community, which will, G-d willing, help you overcome this tragedy.
To the Students at Virginia Tech:
This tragedy will remain in our minds and hearts as we stand strong with you during these difficult times. We send our love and want you to know that everyone is heart broken for this unbelievable loss.
Our thoughts are with you here in NYC. May you find comfort in each other and in the knowledge that people all over the US are praying for you andhave you in their thoughts constantly.
There is nothing I can think of to say to express the way the tragedy at Virginia Tech has made me feel. It's weird to think that people my own age sitting in a classroom could suddenly be attacked. It's unfathomable! I am certainly unable to understand what the Virginia Tech community is going through right now. I only hope that the families and friends left behind in this tragedy will be able to find the strength to pull through and that those not directly effected will stand in solidarity with them and help them through this extremely difficult time. My thoughts, heart, and prayers are with you.
As a parent of a child at an American University, I can only imagine the grief and devastation felt by those left behind. My heart is with the families and students who must now heal from this tragedy.
my thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. I cant imagine what you are going through having a peer in such distress that he took 32 innocent lives and leaving many others wounded. He has scarred our lives forever. May pillars of strength protect you during this difficult time and may god bless you.
To Those affected by the tragedy of Virginia Tech:
My thoughts and prayers are with you each and every day. My only hope is that such a tragedy will never occur again.
Stay Strong VT!!!
http://photos-101.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v78/237/109/52600495/n52600495_30209101
the holocaust survivor is a real hero in my heart
CONDOLENCES
I cannot begin to fathom what the students, faculty and their families are going through, and will be facing, at VT. I can only offer words of solace and comfort. I wish you all both physical and mental healing in the times to come.
After any tragedy, one must simultaneously remind him or herself Never Forget, but at the same time, “I must move on”. You must always look back and learn from the past, but you cannot let the past haunt you. You are all survivors of a tragedy and have a new and unique perspective on life. Use it to help yourselves heal and do great things with your lives.
You are in the thoughts and prayers of this great nation, and in the thoughts and prayers of others around the world. Ha Makom Y’nachem Eschem. May G-d comfort you all.
-Simon, Alumn YUHS ’98; YC/IBC ‘02
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this tragic event.
It hurts me that there are no words which will bring back your friends and loved ones
And that there is no way for us to fully understand the tragedy which you have been left to suffer
I can only hope that through our thoughts and prayers you will be comforted.
Know that you are not alone in these hard times
“Even when I walk in the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-they comfort me” (Psalms 23). With God as our shepherd, I pray that you will find peace and comfort during these difficult times.
This was an unfortunate and hineous crime that is beyond reason or logic. May you all find the power to continue on and never forget the innocence that was lost. G-d Bless
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May G-d comfort you and your families and the entire Virginia Tech community.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. You're strength and courage throughout this time is immeasurable. We send you much love and support.
You are in my thoughts and prayers- continue to stand strong!!
God gives hardships to those who have the ability to cope...you guys must be pillars of strength
We were so distraught to learn of the terrible tragedy that befell your campus just a few weeks ago.
You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
I think what is most disturbing is that the killer must have been really suffering to inflict such pain on people by taking 32 lives. The tragedy is unfathomable; the pain is chilling. As much as I try to understand your pain, I remain in silence. I pray for security, both physical and mental, for all the students, faculty and families. I send my love and solidarity.
Deborah Anstandig
I personally feel affected by what happened at Virginia Tech because I realize that people my age were killed in this terrible tragic event. These people are like me; in university, studying to become something someday. They had aspirations, hopes, dreams. They planned to travel the world one day with their friends, get married, and raise children of their own. They looked forward to many years ahead of them and this was all taken away from them-with a tiny bullet. It makes me sad that they have barely lived and my heart is with them, as well as the brave professor Liviu Librescu who gave up his own life for the lives of his students. I feel your pain and will think of you when I pray.
I don't know you, and you don't know me, but we are joined by our youth and our love of life and learning. We are equally appalled that someone could take another life, and shocked that life can end so unexpectedly. I can't exactly share your pain, but I can offer you my prayers that yours will be eased. I hope that we can both use this tragedy to motivate ourselves to appreciate life more and to use our lives more while we still have them.
Although we can not possibly empathize fully with your pain, our prayers and thoughts are with you, your community, those who are injured, and the families who experienced such a terrible loss.
I am in shock that such a terrible tragedy could take place. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
It is often in misfortune that we realize what truly matters and how much inner strength we have not only to confront adversity but to rebuild from destruction. May the days ahead bring you comfort and renewal.
To the students of Virginia Tech,
I can only imagine what you are going through. My heart is there with you as you try to cope from this horrific act that occured on your campus. I can only pray that those who need healing, both physically and mentally, be healed and hopefully those people who perished and the good they have done should live on through all of you.
All the best.
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