Dear Members of the MSP Community,
Yesterday, our neighborhood was shaken by the attack on Temple Israel, just a few miles from the MSP campus. Though over a hundred preschool children were in the building at the time of the attack, thankfully none of them were hurt. Much is still to be learned about this attack, but it seems likely that it was an antisemitic hate crime.
More and more, our news is filled with acts of violence and hatred. MSP deplores antisemitism and ethnic or racial hatred and prejudice of any kind. Every human being deserves to be respected and valued, and should be able to live their lives without fear of violent or hateful acts.
We will continue to strive at MSP to create a welcoming environment, where everyone feels safe and knows that they belong. At least for the time being, we have increased our campus security measures in an effort to ensure the physical safety of everyone at MSP. We will also continue to emphasize the importance of living out a set of values that sees every human, regardless of their ethnicity, race, religion, national origin, or orientation as having inestimable value, amazing potential, and the right to be supported and respected. We respect every person. Period.
Allow me to encourage each of you to make an effort, especially in the aftermath of events such as yesterday’s attack, to be reminded of our institution’s core values, and work together to build community and an environment that “practices what we teach.” If you need additional support as you deal with the emotional strains of the trying times in which we live, please reach out to any MSP administrator, faculty, or staff member, and we will work to provide or connect you with that support.
In community,
Brian Stogner