September 14, 2001

To the Students, Faculty, and Staff of YU:

Tuesday's terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Towers was the most horrifying tragedy to strike our City and one of the worst in the history of our great nation. We all share in the sense of shock, anger, and sadness at what will surely be an unimaginable loss of life.

As we try to grapple with the unbearable scope and evil intent of this terrible act, our prayers and deepest empathy go out to the victims and their families.

Yeshiva University is one of New York's distinguished universities and our past, present, and future is linked to the fortunes of this City. We will continue to express and demonstrate our sense of community with all New Yorkers. Yeshiva University students, faculty and staff have given blood, students and staff have volunteered with Hatzolah, faculty and alumni from both Ferkauf and Wurzweiler are providing grief counseling at the Red Cross Emergency Center and in the Washington Heights area through the offices of New York City Councilman Linares.

Be assured that the University remains secure and our department of security continues to ensure the safety and security of our campuses. They remain in close contact with the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies.

We know that we can count on every student, faculty and staff member, from all areas of the University, to offer all possible support and understanding toward each other as the scope of this tragedy becomes increasingly apparent.

We also ask all students to make every attempt to contact your families regularly.

Finally, as we deal with this enormous crisis, we express our deep gratitude to all of you for exhibiting the enduring values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and dibbuk chaverim (staying close with friends), which shape the unique fabric of Yeshiva University.

Dr. Norman Lamm
President