Dear Aleph Ordination Program community,

We, the AOP Deans, are reaching out together today to acknowledge, encourage, and support you.

We acknowledge:

It’s no longer radical to speak openly of state terror in the USA—or to challenge it.

There is no one right way to feel about it.

You might feel anger at ICE’s murders of Keith Porter, Renee Good, Alex Pretti. You may grieve the dozens of people who have died in detention.

You might feel called to courage by the growing protests around us.

You might feel ashamed that it took you so long to recognize the terror. Or self-righteous that you saw clearly.

You might feel confused about what to do or not do.

You might feel afraid to protest or challenge, especially in a surveillance state.

You might feel exhausted, as new events mix with the burdens of antisemitism; continued violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza; and oppression of queer and trans people and people of color.

You might feel many other things, too, some filtered through your own experiences of personal and family trauma.

We encourage:

Our tradition has many resources for us, as we lean into our feelings, discern thoughtfully, and help others do so, too.

Our Torah speaks powerfully about tyranny and its consequences.

Our Neviim (prophets) describe corruption clearly.

Our Tehillim (psalms) give language for lament, outcry, and faith.

Our Talmud and midrash show us how to find hope for the future in stories from the past.

Our Hassidic and mussar traditions offer tools to navigate our own inner landscapes.

Know that our tradition will outlast many terrors—that is a key theme across all our stories and teachings.

We offer support:

Some of you may need more flexibility in the coming months. You may be called to take action appropriate to your community and situation.

Some of you may take comfort in deepening your studies.

Some of you may want to reach out to trusted advisors.

Please, follow the calling of your soul, and ask for support when you need it.

Please, stay in touch with your faculty, spiritual directors, academic advisors, and Deans as your needs change. We will work with you to make sure that you can both study and continue to live into our changing world.

May the Holy One bless the work of our hearts, minds, and hands.

Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan, Dean

Rabbi Natan Margalit, Dean of Faculty

Dr. Joel L. Kushner, Dean of Students