The University of Jewish Studies Program mourns the tragic deaths of students Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler, and D'Sean Perry. This is a tragic moment for our University community that touches many students, faculty, and staff, including Jewish Studies colleagues of ours who knew and taught the victims. Accordingly, we have cancelled all the public events planned for this week as part of the artistic residency of photographer Frederic Brenner. 

As our community gathers in reflection, we seek to offer our support. Yesterday, faculty and students joined Professor and Rabbi Vanessa Ochs for a special event on ritual and loss hosted by Theological Horizons. By chance, Dr. Ochs had presented a formal talk on the same topic online last week. We share here the video of that powerful presentation.

Other gatherings and commemorations will no doubt take place in the coming days and weeks. For those wishing to learn more about additional resources, especially students, we encourage you to contact us at jewishstudiesprogram@virginia.edu.