| Good Morning! I want to share a quick update on the incident that happened at Hillel of San Diego last week. But, before that, I want to thank you for showing up for us during this time. I received so many messages of concern and support. It meant the world to me, our team, and our students to know that the community was standing in solidarity with us. The individual continues to be in custody, and the situation is being addressed through the appropriate legal system. Our students, staff, and beloved Hillel Centers are secure. It was not luck that the incident was handled swiftly. It was not happenstance that our staff knew what to do, that law enforcement worked closely with us, that the incident is receiving the attention it deserves. In fact, it is because YOU invest in Hillel of San Diego, that we are able to invest in a robust security system and protocols for this outcome. Since October 8th, 2023, Hillel of San Diego has retained armed guards at both our properties. It is because of this contract that we had a security team at the location within minutes and law enforcement there rapidly. YOU make this happen because YOU fund our security. Real talk — it costs $250,000 annually to fund our security. Between adding hours to our security guard contract and committing $15,000 to an unplanned security system upgrade, we are taking on significant unbudgeted costs. We’re moving forward with both because, when it comes to keeping our students safe, it is simply the right thing to do. YOUR CONTINUED INVESTMENT in Hillel of San Diego makes this possible. Hillel of San Diego has an entire department dedicated to combatting hate and antisemitism. This work has been funded by the Jewish Federation of San Diego, Leichtag Foundation, Chortek Weisman Family Foundation, Hillel International, and donors like you. It is explicitly because of this investment that we had the resources to get a restraining order, navigate the legal system, and have the staff necessary to manage this incident — and every other incident we continue to overcome. When you give to Hillel, you are helping make this critical work possible. YOU ensure our students are safe. YOU fund this vital safety and security. Unfortunately, this is our reality. There is a “Jewish tax” we must bear in order to simply exist, and it is our community’s obligation to pay it forward for our young people. Thank you for helping keep students safe so that they don’t have to live in fear — you give them the opportunity to live in strength, pride, and joy. May we continue to center our students’ joy and go from strength to strength. Shabbat Shalom, Karen |
