Three pillars for a path forward

This morning, Jewish college students woke up to perhaps a very different America than they had expected to find after the ebb and flow of political exuberance from the past few months. While these past few years have been hard for Jewish students and their families, both here on campus and across the world since October 7th, last night’s shift had a different but significant impact on their psyche that our Hillel team is seeing manifest today.

Many students have asked where we should turn? What should we do? What comes next? No matter their political voting record, Jewish students know that the world is vastly different on November 6th than it was yesterday. As we process and make collective sense of last night’s national decision; we can find resolve in our beliefs through our Jewish tradition and our eternal values that speak to our responsibility to care for each other and the world around us.

When we don’t know where to turn we can find uplifting support from the three pillars upon which the world stands: Torah, tefillah, and gemilut chasadim — Torah, prayer, and acts of kindness.

In the face of today’s challenges for Jewish students and families, both in America and in Israel, the values of Torah, prayer, and acts of kindness remind us of our enduring commitment to one another and our world. These pillars, rooted in the teachings of Pirkei Avot, can guide Jewish students, parents, and alumni at the University of Vermont as we strive to strengthen our community and embody tikkun olam amidst challenges — our duty to “repair the world.”

Torah is at the heart of Jewish life, offering wisdom and guidance in every generation. Engaging with Torah, particularly this week with its story of Abraham and the covenant, can open new ideas and ways of thinking for those struggling to make sense of the outcome of last night’s election. Maybe they see themselves in the choices being made for them in Isaac’s binding. Maybe they see themselves reflected in the struggle between Isaac and Ishmael for paternal acceptance. Maybe they see themselves akin to Abraham helping make hard choices for our collective future.

Whether through study groups, discussions, or personal reflection, Torah study gives us a foundation to understand the world and our role within it. By deepening our knowledge of Torah, Jewish students at UVM can ground themselves in shared values and cultivate a lifelong connection to learning and personal growth through uncertain times.

The second pillar upon which the world stands is prayer, tefillah. Prayer is a way to find strength, hope, and connection during challenging times. Whether through daily prayer, gathering with others, or moments of quiet reflection, prayer offers a way to center ourselves and draw resilience from our tradition. UVM students often find prayer in their tree hammocks or watching the sunset on Lake Champlain or rise from Camel’s Hump. But the simple act of pausing, praying, and presence can help provide clarity from what emerges. For Jewish students and families at UVM, prayer can be a powerful tool to navigate uncertainty, connect with each other, and strengthen our bond to the Jewish community around the world.

On my way into Hillel this afternoon, I walked through the parking lot and saw a student in tears. I saw another student with a siddur, a prayer book and tallit, a prayer shawl. This student with the religious items was helping the other student pray. There was no demand other than the moment of spiritual connection and presence that prayer offers. Even when we do not know the words, our prayers are still heard.

Acts of kindness, or gemilut chasadim, encourage us to go beyond ourselves to support others with compassion and care. Small gestures can mean a lot today — checking in on a friend, calling a parent or grandparent you disagree politically with but love deeply, volunteering in the community, baking challah, or simply being there for those in need — can make a profound impact.

As student after student poured into Hillel today for bagels, coffee, pizza, and a listening ear, our staff was there to meet them, to hold space for them, and to just be loving and kind. I know that we met with Jewish Democrats, Republicans, and Progressives today. They can all find connection over food and Jewish community at Hillel. We cannot solve all the problems of the world but we can make sure students are well fed. At UVM, students can practice these acts in countless ways, creating a culture of kindness that extends beyond campus and fosters a sense of shared responsibility through Our Common Ground values as a community.

By committing and recommitting to Torah, prayer, and acts of kindness, we can enrich our vibrant and supportive Jewish community at UVM. Through learning, resilience, and kindness, we will embody the values that shape our tradition and take meaningful steps toward a world that reflects our highest ideals.

Together, we work to repair the world — one act, one prayer, and one lesson at a time.