To the Northwestern student body:

Like many (letters) before me, when I heard about Rabbi Klein, I was distraught. I wanted to know how I could get involved and make a difference, so I sent an email to University President Morton Schapiro. Although he had only been the president for one year while I was on campus, he impressed me with his commitment to Northwestern and to Judaism, and I hoped that he might be able to shed some light on the issue.

His response to me was:

“Thank you Matthew, for your thoughtful and very touching note.

This is a most unfortunate, but unavoidable, situation.”

What bothered me the most about President Schapiro’s response was his use of the word “unavoidable.” I define unavoidable situations as those where there is no resolution, where there is only one possible course of action available to pursue. Despite the three letters to the editor, the (columns) in the Daily Northwestern, the emails to President Schapiro and the support Rabbi Klein has received, the administration still believes that this situation cannot be changed, and rather, the course of action they have chosen to pursue is the only one.

Every person knows this situation is not unavoidable. Northwestern’s administration can still come to the negotiating table with Rabbi, ask for some changes in the Chabad house and keep Rabbi Klein on campus.

I want to ask Northwestern students to rise up, defend Rabbi Klein and implore the University to change its decision. The students at Northwestern can be a voice for change and help push the administration to make the right decision. I have never been more disappointed in Northwestern University than I am today.

Let’s make bringing Rabbi Klein back on campus an “unavoidable” necessity and move for the University.

Sincerely,

Matthew Altman

Northwestern Graduate, 2010