Collective Hope for Enduring Peace

Collective Hope for Enduring Peace

On the morning of Monday, October 7, 2024, Marlborough’s campus was transformed by a poignant display of remembrance and hope. As students and staculty arrived, they were greeted by 251 yellow ribbons fluttering in the breeze inside Brittain Bradley Family Plaza, each one representing a hostage taken by Hamas exactly one year prior on October 7, 2023. This moving installation was the work of Kehilah—Marlborough’s Jewish-student affinity group—who, along with their families, spent the weekend carefully assembling the tribute, meditating on the gravity of Hamas’ attack on October 7 and the violence that has since followed.

Throughout the day, the entire school community was invited to add white ribbons to the installation, honoring all the lives lost in Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel, and the broader Middle East in this ongoing conflict. These white ribbons also represented a collective hope for enduring peace. Head of School Jennifer Ciccarelli wrote to students over the weekend to inform them of the installation and the invitation to participate. She said, “[Together, these white and yellow] ribbons symbolize our hope for peace, unity, and the belief that even in the face of conflict, there is a path forward that prioritizes humanity over violence.” Ms. Ciccarelli’s full message to students is below.

Dear Marlborough Students,

In moments of global turmoil, the significance of the work we do at Marlborough becomes even clearer. As your Head of School, I am reminded daily of the important role your teachers play in guiding you to lead with empathy, integrity, and strength in a world that desperately needs these qualities. We take our responsibility seriously to help you navigate the complexities we all face in the world. Our goal is to equip you not only with the academic skills to succeed but also with the moral compass to lead with purpose, fully aware of your ability—and perhaps your obligation—to make positive change in the world.

I am extremely proud of the compassion you show time and time again. On Monday, October 7, Kehilah, our Jewish student affinity group, will hang 251 yellow ribbons across Brittain Bradley Family Plaza as a symbol of remembrance for each of the hostages taken by Hamas last October. For our Jewish families, this anniversary coincides with the High Holidays—a time for personal reflection—adding another layer of grief and remembrance. We invite and encourage all of you, along with our faculty and staff, to join in this collective reflection by tying white ribbons as a symbol of remembrance for all the lives lost in the ongoing conflict across the Middle East. These ribbons will serve as symbols of peace, unity, and the belief that even in the face of conflict, there is a path forward that prioritizes humanity over violence.

Remember, you are part of a community that values compassion, respect, and integrity. We believe in lifting each other up and in building connections across differences. We want you to stand for what you believe in and do so while recognizing other perspectives and experiences. You can assert your beliefs without intimidating, insulting, or attacking those who disagree. And let me be clear: there is absolutely no place in our community—or anywhere—for any form of hate speech or acts of intolerance. I encourage you to lean on one another and continue nurturing the bonds that make Marlborough such a special place. I know that each of you has the power to make a difference; not just through your actions, but in the way you approach the world with empathy, unity, and a sense of purpose. I see the way you show up for each other every day, and I couldn’t be prouder to be Marlborough’s Head of School.

Warmly,
Ms. Ciccarelli


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