THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, October 28, 1977 49
THERE IS ALSO HILLEL AT M. S
WILL IT BE THERE NEXT YEAR?
B'NAI B'RITH HILLEL FOUNDATION
at Michigan State University • 319 Hillcrest Avenue • East Lansing, Michigan 48823 • Phone: 332-1916
Sincere best wishes are to be extended to V\ ayne State
University and the University of Michigan on their most recent
growth in the programs and facilities for Jewish students on
their campuses. These best wishes also raise concerned ques-
tions with regards to the third and often 'neglected major
university in Michigan, Michigan State University at East
Lansing.
A brief look backwards reveals much inconsistency in support
of Jewish students at our major universities in the state. Since
1951 both VW ayne State University and the University of Mich-
igan have new facilities. More recently, VN ayne State University
Hillel has a second new home. Michigan State University Hillel
remains in the same facility where the program originated in
1946. This 70 year old facility is in disrepair and much too small
to meet the needs of the Jewish population at M.S.U. adequately
and safely.
That a student can obtain a doctorate- of Judaica at the
University of Michigan is indeed a step forward for the Jewish
people. Michigan State University has no academic offerings in
Judaica and negligible support from the Jewish community to
establish a department of Judaica.
Hillel at Michigan State University serves 3,000 Jewish
students on the East Lansing campus. Outreach efforts are also
made at Cooley Law School and at Lansing Community College
in adjacent Lansing:- _Students at M.S.U. attend the largest
university in the state of Michigan with an enrollment this year
of 44,000. They live on a 9 square mile campus; the largest in
the United States.M.S.U. has the largest dormitory complex of
any campus in the United States. The closest of these complexes
is a 20 minute walk to Hillel; the farthest is nearly an hour's
walk.
Hillel staff at Michigan State University consists of one full-
time professional who serves as Rabbi/Executive Director, a
part-time Secretary/Administrative Assistant and a part-time
Program Coordinator. Both Wayne State University and the
University of Michigan have significantly larger staffs.
Michigan State University Hillel appreciatively acknowledges
a significant funding increase from the Detroit Federation for
the academic year 1977-78. Even with this increase however,
there are less then four (4) program dollars for each Jewish
student.
Rising rates of intermarriage and steadily increasing rates of
assimilation are well known facts in the American Jewish
community. Slightly less apparent, but critical to the greater
Lansing Jewish community, are the 1500 Arab students who
also attend Michigan State University; the single largest contin-
gent of foreign Arab students on any campus in the United
States. East Lansing is the headquarters of the American
Organization of Arab Students and a hotbed of virulent anti-
semitism and loyalty to the PFLP of Mr. George Habash. M.S.U.
Hillel is the only program/facility available to counteract this.
M.S.U. Hillel is the only vehicle to offer encouragement to
Jewish students in the greater Lansing area; the only source to
provide them with a program ofJewish education.
Michigan State University Hillel is in desperate need of a new
home. Only the financial and moral support of the Michigan
Jewish community can make this (new home) possible. Show
your support for all Jewish students at Michigan universities by
helping M.S.U. Hillel grow.
"If I am not for myself— who will be for me? If I care
only for myself— what am 1? If not now—when?"
(Millet: Sayings of the Fathers).
M.S.U. Hillel
319 Hillcrest Avenue, East Lansing
517-332-1916
Rabbi Daniel R. Allen
Executive Director -
,