Dear Oberlin Community,

The Jewish High Holidays are not an arena for political fighting or ideology. They are about welcoming the new year, atonement, and being thankful for our community and our world. I am disappointed that some members of the Oberlin community don’t see it that way. It has been an ongoing issue that students have torn down or put flyers over Hillel’s High Holiday announcements. I understand that many students on this campus haven’t felt heard by the Jewish community, and this is a problem that cannot persist. I must make one thing clear: As President of Oberlin Hillel, I am here to serve the Jewish community, regardless of political ideology. 

The motto of Hillel is “all kinds of Jewish,” a motto that we strive to embody every day. Our goal is not to center our community around political issues or have ideological litmus tests for partaking in Judaism. Our goal is to create a space where no one feels as though they need to compromise their values to be in community with other Jews and where everyone feels like they belong. Taking down our posters advertising religious services does not make any social commentary other than depriving the Oberlin Jewish community of information about ways to observe the holidays during the holiest time of the year. 

I am passionate that practicing Judaism should not be contingent on support for a regime or a nation. Rather, practicing Judaism should only be contingent on a want to be part of the community. I encourage those who removed our flyers to reflect on their actions and on how taking down our posters only reinforces division and polarization at Oberlin. I felt deeply troubled when I realized what was happening to our flyers and distraught about how this situation withheld opportunities from many Jewish students. I’d welcome anyone to come work with us at Hillel and the other Jewish organizations on campus to make our community stronger instead of pulling us apart. I hope Oberlin can go into 5786 full of hope, with a brighter future, and a stronger community.

This letter was written by Micah Margolis on behalf of Oberlin Hillel.