UF to host community solidarity gathering

In the wake of recent anti-Semitic rhetoric displayed at Saturday’s UF vs. Georgia football in Jacksonville, the Chabad UF Jewish Student and Community Center will host a special solidarity gathering.  

The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at 2021 NW 5th Avenue.  

“We must all stand up and proclaim, Anti-Semitism, Hate, Bias of any kind has no home,” said Rabbi Berl Goldman, director of Chabad UF, in a press release. 

The rally was organized following many calls, texts, and emails from community members, students, faculty, and alumni., according to a release. The messages were filled with concern, outrage, and fear.  

The event includes prominent leaders from UF, city of Gainesville and Alachua County government officials, who will share brief words of support and inspiration. 

“This gathering will help send a clear and supportive message that the anti-Semitic incident in Jacksonville (and other recent local anti-Semitic incidents) is a cowardly attempt by a minority of anti-Semites that just want to stoke fear and spread hate,” said Chanie Goldman co-director of the Chabad UF Jewish Student and Community Center, in a press release. 

Inspired by the word of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous memory, who, in response to the antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community in the early 90s, spoke of the need for a single community to join together in standing up to hate. 

“In over 20 years of serving Jewish Life and Learning at UF and Alachua County – Gainesville, FL, my wife Chanie and I have always experienced a friendly, welcoming, and supportive community for everyone. Love, respect, and unity will always prevail,” said Goldman in a press release.  

For more information, see www.JewishGator.com.