Hillel Mourns Bomb Victims

Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel held a memorial service yesterday to remember those killed in Sunday's bus bombing in Israel, only to hear devastating news of another deadly blast.

At least 13 people were killed and 109 wounded yesterday in Tel Aviv, Israel, in the fourth suicide bombing attack in that country in recent weeks. The Muslim militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility for all the incidents.

The Hillel memorial service was attended by more than forty members of Harvard's Jewish community.

"Despair and frustration are the two emotions people are feeling right now," said David A. Andorsky '97, chair of the Hillel Steering Committee.

"People feel helpless and frustrated because it doesn't feel like there is much one can do, either here or in Israel," Andorsky said.

"It is difficult, we are so far over here," he added.

Yesterday's bombing fell on the first evening of Purim, a Jewish holiday to celebrate the deliverance of ancient Jews from a plot to murder them.

Typically, the holiday is a joyous occasion. But in light of the recent attacks, many communities in Israel canceled their celebrations.

In an expression of their solidarity with the Jews of Israel, the Hillel also toned down their festivities.

According to Rachel B. Tiven '96-'97, Hillel is also trying to raise money to send to Magen David Adom, Israel's version of the Red Cross.

She said that the Jewish communi- ty is more unified as a result of the series of bombings.

"But," she added, "we're a little tired of being brought together this way. This is the third time this year. They are killing people faster than we can have memorial services."

Andorsky said that he is also afraid that there is no end in sight.

Despite the ethnic tension in Israel, relations between the Hillel and the Society of Arab Students remain positive.

The two organizations teamed up to run an advertisement in the Feb. 27 edition of The Crimson reading, "We hope and pray that the dream of a just and lasting peace for both peoples may one day be a reality.

"But," she added, "we're a little tired of being brought together this way. This is the third time this year. They are killing people faster than we can have memorial services."

Andorsky said that he is also afraid that there is no end in sight.

Despite the ethnic tension in Israel, relations between the Hillel and the Society of Arab Students remain positive.

The two organizations teamed up to run an advertisement in the Feb. 27 edition of The Crimson reading, "We hope and pray that the dream of a just and lasting peace for both peoples may one day be a reality.