This week marks the annual Lighting of the Lawn, an inspiring tradition that unites the UVA community in the spirit of hope and celebration. The first Lighting took place after the 9/11 attacks; this year it comes after a terrible tragedy close to home. In such moments we are reminded of both our fragility and our strength as a community.

That community also empowers the work we do in the Jewish Studies Program at Virginia. The support we receive from alumni and friends allows us as faculty to engage thousands of students each year in our classes and programs. The alumni and friends who attend our online events gain access to the best research and latest thinking on critical issues affecting our world today, including Holocaust memory and antisemitism, changing Jewish identities in America and beyond, the future of Jewish ethics, and the history of Israel.

As we enter this giving season, please consider making a gift to support our work. Your generosity will help us to continue our work and grow its impact. You can donate online via this link or by contacting me directly.

With best wishes,
James Loeffler
Ida and Nathan Kolodiz Director of Jewish Studies