University of Delaware – Update

As you may know, a Tuesday night fire that badly damaged the University of Delaware’s Chabad Center is believed to have been caused by arson. Thank G-d all is well, but there is extensive property damage as well as all that comes with such events that need to be addressed. We will have more clarity once the ongoing investigation is complete.

We are in close contact with Rabbi Avremel and Shulie Vogel, to ensure that they have all the necessary resources to help them during this difficult time.

The safety and security of you are your families is a top priority and we are reminding you to be extra vigilant in the wake of this incident and not take any security incidents lightly. For all our security resources please see here.

Below is the statement that was delivered this afternoon by Rabbi Avremel Vogel, Chabad at the University of Delaware. The following provides you with the current status of the situation. We will continue to be in contact as we receive updates on the situation.

STATEMENT BY Rabbi Avremel Vogel

We are deeply pained by the willful destruction that took place at the Chabad Center at UD yesterday with damages of at least $200,000. While we are shaken by everything that has happened, we are very grateful to the fire department for their quick response, to the university, faculty, campus police, and the UD community for their support, and especially to the students and alumni, who have been so great and are working closely with the authorities in their ongoing arson investigation. We are firm in our resolve to rebuild and do even more than what we were able to before this happened.

Governor John Carney called me yesterday to express his steadfast support. We are eminently grateful for the ongoing messages of solidarity from so many, which have reinforced what I have always known: This incident is not Newark and it’s not Delaware!

The people of Newark, and more broadly the state of Delaware, are people who build, not destroy. They are people who love and support.

We are humbled by the DelawareStrong response we have received—especially from the students in our community who launched a fundraising campaign on their own to help us rebuild—that was so touching.

People are asking what they can do to help and there are two things that we are asking the community to help with:

1)    Our center was one that focused on making the world better. Not that it’s been destroyed, and the light emanating from here is somewhat diminished. We need your help in making up the difference by doing an extra good deed every day. Whether helping a neighbor or going out of one’s way to do something good for someone else.

2)    We need to rebuild and continue to serve the community and you can help us with that by donating at https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-chabad-ud?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

We are most grateful for whatever you contribute.

The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory, whose teachings and vision inspired the establishment of our UD Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Center, emphasized that each of us have immense G-dly potential to change the world, and when we are met with darkness and destruction we need to remember that we each have it within us to be an agent for good positive change, bringing more light into the world and making it a better place for everyone.

–       Rabbi Avremel Vogel, Chabad at the University of Delaware

RECOMMENDED SHLUCHIM STATEMENT

Please note, If you are contacted by the media we recommend that you be in touch with chabad.org’s PR team before responding.

If you would like to make a statement on social media and similar outlets, we would recommend posting something to this effect:

“We are deeply pained by the willful destruction that took place at our sister Chabad Center at the University of Delaware yesterday with arson damages of at least $200,000. We are heartened by the tremendous outpouring of love and support shown by so many, both locally here at PLACE and nationally.

People are asking what they can do to help and there are two things that we are asking the community to help with:

1) The center was one that focused on making the world better. Now that it’s been destroyed, the light emanating from there is somewhat diminished. We need your help in making up the difference by doing an extra good deed every day, whether helping a neighbor or going out of one’s way to do something good for someone else.

2) Chabad at UD needs to rebuild, so that it can continue to serve the community, and you can help with that by donating here.

You can link to this article that just posted.

https://freebeacon.com/campus/fire-at-jewish-student-center-ruled-arson/