Os

some changes in store. Targeting
e one of them.

RUTH LITTMANN STAFF WRITER

T HE D ETROI T J E WIS H NE WS

•

16

younger. In the past,
Hillels have targeted stu-
dents only.
"There was a sense,
based on the information
the task force heard, that
the group (of local non-stu-
dents) had become disfran-
chised," said Miriam
Starkman, executive direc-
tor of MetroDetroit Hillel.
The conclusions of the
task force were reviewed
by the executive commit-
tee of Hillel's board
Tuesday night. Joseph
Colten, a member of the
board and task force, said
the board soon will decide
which suggestions to
implement.
Twenty-year-old Kevin
Elbinger said Hillel needs
"more girls." The WSU
student rarely attends
Jewish events on campus
because "the same people
show up all the time. I'd
participate in almost any-
thing. I did when I first
got to college. But it was
really boring, so I never
went back."
"Over and over again we
Jewish
students
at
WSU
and
other
campuses
are
looking
for
more
social
functions.
heard
that young adults
11461
had great interest in Hillel
serving a social function,"
Mr. Braun said.
rabbis
and
Jewish
commu-
etroDetroit Hillel will soon
That task is a tough one,
nal
professionals.
Through
undergo a facelift.
leaders say, because all
these meetings, held at
A Hillel-sponsored task
the institutions Metro-
the United Hebrew School
force, designed to recharge
Detroit Hillel serves are
and
Max
M.
Fisher
build-
Jewish activity on com-
commuter campuses:
ings, the task force
muter campuses, conclud-
WSU, Oakland University,
learned where people
ed that the organization
Oakland Community
think MetroDetroit Hillel
must get hip with the '90s
College, Lawrence Tech-
falls
short.
— or risk dwindling inter-
nological University and
Some
interviewed
said
est in its programs.
University of Detroit's
Hillel needs a catchy
"Hillel is not viewed as a
graduate school.
name,
cool
reputation
and
very sexy organization,
Many commuter-campus
a
new
headquarters
—
not the kind of group
students
hold down jobs.
possibly
some
place
more
young adults want to hang
Some live at home with
suburban than its current
out with on a regular
their parents; some stu-
facility on the sixth floor of
basis," said Keith Braun,
dents are parents them-
WSU's
student
center
Wayne State University
selves and must divide
building.
alumnus and task force
time between school, work
Perhaps the most radi-
chairman.
and domestic responsibili-
cal
suggestion
is
to
open
During May and June,
ties.
MetroDetroit
Hillel's
doors
members of the task force
"They have less time to
to students and non-stu-
met with 15 small groups
give and they need to real-
dents, 30 years and
of students, professors,

ly be grabbed by Hillel's
programming activities
because they don't have a
lot of time to waste," Ms.
Starkman said.
"Students these days
don't fit the mold Hillel
was designed to meet: c)
Enter college at 18 and
graduate in four years,"
Mr. Braun added. "As a
result; we're going to have
to meet the needs of the
student of the '90s.
Ultimately, we'll measure
if we've been successful if
more people attend the <
events."
Between 40 and 100
people attended each
event this year. Metro-
Detroit Hillel's mailing list
includes more than 800_,/
students. Ms. Starkman
would like to see that: -')
number climb to about
2,000 in the next several
years.

"Students these
days don't fit - 1
the mold Hillel
was designed
to meet."

Keith Braun

"There's been no system- <
atic attempt at getting
names added to our list.
We need to make a con-
certed effort to reach
potential participants," E<
she said. "We need to get
the synagogues, temples,
camps and youth groups
working with us. When )
there are graduating high `\
school seniors who will be j
attending a local universi-'`
ty, we would like their
names so we can make the
effort and reach them as
opposed to waiting for
them to find us."
Hillel leaders also airn,
to recruit members from

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