Last month, President Tilghman announced that the University would not grant Rabbi Eitan Webb recognition as a University Chaplain. In the interest of fostering religious pluralism and honoring the right of students to make their own religious choices, we respectfully call on the president to reconsider her decision.
Rabbi Webb fully satisfies the requirements for recognition as a University chaplain as set forth by the Office of Religious Life, and he has greatly improved Jewish life on campus. Many visit his home on Friday nights and are treated to a wonderful dinner in a family environment. In addition, Rabbi Webb and the Chabad Student Group regularly organize events for Jewish holidays that benefit the entire community, such as the tremendously successful Shabbat 300 dinner. Many have also studied with Rabbi Webb either individually or in his popular class on the Ten Commandments. Those of us who have benefited from his teaching, guidance and friendship are bewildered by the University's decision.
Tilghman's letter stated her desire to continue the University's policy of recognizing a single Jewish chaplain. This view contradicts the University's principles of encouraging "the presence of a vigorous and diverse religious community on campus."
There are 15 recognized University chaplains, 13 of whom are Christian. The University rightly grants Christian students options. Why are Jewish students treated differently? Why are members of Princeton's Jewish community limited to a single chaplain?
Many of Princeton's 600 Jewish students feel at home at the Center for Jewish Life. Others prefer Chabad. Both organizations are important to Princeton. One result of the University's decision, however, is to create tensions and divisions within the Jewish community by refusing official University recognition to Webb, whom many already recognize as their chaplain. We are mystified by the administration's decision to limit religious options by giving one organization a monopoly on official status.
Tilghman's decision puts Princeton at odds with schools such as Harvard, Dartmouth and Columbia, who have recognized Chabad chaplains. This issue is not limited to supporters of Chabad or to members of the Jewish community. Anybody who cares about sustaining an accepting and pluralistic community at our University should be troubled by the exclusion of Webb and Chabad.
The Chabad Student board writes on behalf of the students in Chabad on Campus and other students who support their position. For a complete list of supporting signatories, please go to www.princeton.edu/~chabad.
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