October 9th, 2023

To the Cornell Law School community,

The Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) writes to you with heavy hearts and urges you to stand with us. Over the course of the last three days, our people have been brutally murdered, wounded, and assaulted.

We write this letter to demonstrate our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its mass murder of the Jewish people, as well as our unwavering support of Israel.

On October 7th, 2023, Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization controlling Gaza, launched a surprise attack on Israel by land, air, and sea. Hamas has slaughtered children, assaulted young women and paraded their mutilated bodies in the street, and taken hostage more than 100 of our Jewish brothers and sisters, including a Holocaust survivor. Rockets have been fired, people have been gunned down and taken from their own homes, thousands have been wounded, and families have been torn apart. With hundreds of Jewish men, women, and children killed in a single day, the attacks constitute the largest mass killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust. And as the violence persists, the number of Jewish deaths has climbed to over 900 and continues to rise.

Hamas explicitly calls for the genocide of Jewish people around the globe. It is of the utmost importance that Hamas is recognized as not just Israel’s enemy, but the enemy of the Jewish people. They must be regarded as such.

Many members of the Cornell Law School community are personally affected by these horrific actions. We mourn the precious lives lost, pray for the recovery of the wounded and for the safety of our Jewish brothers and sisters and all who defend Israel.

We urge you to stand with us: please see below for organizations to submit donations to.

With broken hearts,

The JLSA Executive Board

How you can help

During this horrifying time, Israel needs your help. Please see below for credible organizations you can donate to.

● Magen David Adom (MDA) https://afmda.org

Magen David Adom, literally the “Red Star of David,” is Israel’s official ambulance service, blood services and disaster rescue agency and is on the frontlines of saving lives in Israel. With emergency ambulances, boats, helicopters, and motorcycles, MDA is guaranteed to provide the best care in critical situations.

● United Hatzalah https://israelrescue.org

United Hatzalah is a network of volunteer medics dedicated to providing 24/7, free and universal medical services across Israel. The organization provides immediate lifesaving medical intervention during the critical window between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of traditional ambulance assistance. Volunteers consist of ordinary citizens who have received full training and become certified first responders. Services are available to all people regardless of race, religion, or national origin.

● Friends of the IDF (FIDF) https://www.fidf.org

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a non-political, non-military organization that provides for the wellbeing of the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), veterans and family members.