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Dear Colleagues,
Once again, we have encountered hate in our GW family. This time, it is our Jewish members who have been specifically targeted, with desecration of a Torah scroll, a sacred religious object and symbol of the Jewish faith, as well as ugly vandalism of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity residence.
Most in our community – I wish I could say all - are so weary of these revolting and evil expressions of human intolerance, ignorance, and hatred. Each of these events could undermine our faith in the strength of our unity. But, we must not allow any crack or any loss of faith in our solidarity of respect and support for each other to affect our ongoing commitment to create an inclusive and just community for all of our members, with all of our wonderful patterns of human diversity.
I ask that you personally reflect on these expressions of hatred, again. I ask again that you recognize with empathy the harm this event has caused and that you reach out to friends and colleagues who are feeling angry and vulnerable.
Only by recognizing evil, and confronting these attacks with personal reflection and outreach will we be able to move forward together as a strong and inclusive community, whose professional purpose is so exquisitely linked to caring for others.
Please see the comments from President LeBlanc as well, which includes links to available resources at GW to assist members of our community.
With gratitude for your service and compassion,
Barbara Lee Bass, MD
Vice President for Health Affairs
Dean, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Professor of Surgery
The George Washington University
CEO, The GW Medical Faculty Associates
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