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A fresh look at some recent stories in the headlines.

Ukrainian University
Gets U.S. Support

MJAC To Tackle
Gay Issues

JENNIFER FINER JEWISH NEWS INTERN

LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER

I

he International
Solomon Universi-
ty, a newly estab-
lished Jewish uni-
versity in the Ukraine,
recently opened its door
to students. Now the uni-

versity is opening its
pocketbooks to American
contributions — and do-
nations have been
steady.
Alexander Tetelbaum,
founder and president
of ISU and a visiting
professor at Michi-
gan State Univer-
sity, said the
university re-
ceived a
$ 6 0 , 0 0 0
grant
from the
Interna-
tional
Science
Founda-
tion. The
founda-
tion, based
in Wash-
ington, D.C.,
is a charitable
organization es-
tablished by philan-
thropist George Soros to
support basic science re-

search in the former So-
viet Union.
The American Jewish
Joint Distribution Com-
mittee has also offered it
support to ISU in the
form of computers, tape
recorders, a TV/VCR and
library materials.
The Israeli embassy in
Kiev has also promised to
help the university.
In addition to all the
support, Dr. Tetelbaum
is working on a joint pro-
posal under which ISU
faculty would be able to
go through a training
program at MSU.
"So far, we have 320
students attending the
university and we have
accepted 200 for next
year," said Dr. Tetel-
baum, who established
the school because he
was fed up with anti-
Semitism and wanted to
help Jews in the Ukraine
receive an education.

im

ichigan Jewish
Aids Coalition
(MJAC) has
many goals,
among them breaking
down barriers.
Following a communi-
ty forum last spring ad-
dressing issues sur-
rounding the disease,
participants requested
more programming
about gay and lesbian
topics. MJAC responded.
"AIDS, as we all
should know, is not a gay
disease. But the gay com-
munity was the first hit
and the first to respond.
There is a link which
cannot be ignored," said
Susan Leemaster, MJAC
president.
Joining with Parents
and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays (PFLAG) and
Simcha, Detroit's Jewish
gay and lesbian organi-
zation, MJAC will offer
another community-wide

event, "Twice
Blessed: Jewish
and Gay."
Simcha mem-
bers will pre-
sent five short
vignettes, taken
from true expe-
riences, includ-
ing a gay teen
attending a
Michigan State
Temple Youth
conclave about sexuality
which only addressed
heterosexuality, whether
to bring a partner to hol-
iday occasions and where
to look for support.
A discussion with a
rabbi, psychologist, AIDS
coordinator for the Oak-
land County Health De-
partment and a Jewish
Family Service social
worker will follow.
The event is free and
will be held Feb. 6 from
2-4 p.m. at the Maple-

Michigan
Jewish
Alds
Coalition

Drake Jewish Communi-
ty Center.
Sheila Mudryk, a
PFLAG member, is opti-
mistic about the program
and the discussions it
might start.
"The Jewish commu-
nity has always taken
care of its own. We take
care of our poor. We try
to be a role model. So
when a stigma like this
exists —you've got to
fight it," Ms. Mudryk
said. "We have the tools
to do that.

MSU Jewish Paper
Still Expanding

A Trip Back In Time
For Sophomores, Juniors

RUTH LITTMANN STAFF WRITER

LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER

The semi-annual Jew-
ish student newspaper at
Michigan State Univer-
sity published a 12-page
edition in December,
marking growth since it
began as a 4-page publi-
cation in Sep-
tember 1992.

The MSU
Jewish Review
was founded by
former student
Rob Cohon. Amy
Gantz, along
with students
Jonathon
Kgenigsberg and
Lisa Goren,
have taken the
reins this year.
The paper
made more than
$400 in adver-
tising revenues
last semester.
The B'nai B'rith
Hillel allots
$1,600 a year to
the paper, but

Ms. Gantz says, "We're
almost independent
now."
Circulation stands at
2,000 and editorial con-
tent includes a broad
spectrum of news and

opinion pieces.
"The paper gives an
outlet for people to say
what they want to say
and for journalism stu-
dents who want to start
their portfolios," Ms.
Gantz says. "I
think that it's
grown positive-
ly, but we still
need more peo-
ple who want to
do the dirty
work."
The "dirty
work" includes
layout and ad-
vertising. Ms.
says
Gantz
now
those
working on the
paper — all vol-
unteers — have
reaped educa-
tional benefits,
but the work is
too much for a
three-person
staff.

0.....IINIalle,mar••••■•■•211.4

rea students look-
ing to enhance
their Jewish edu-
cation while firm-
ing uptheir college
chances have a new op-
tion.
The Jewish History
Scholars program, fund-
ed by the the Commis-
sion for the Dissemina-
tion of Jewish History
and run by the Agency
for Jewish Education and
the Center for Judaic
Studies at the Universi-
ty of Michigan, is seeking
10 participants.
Tenth and 11th grade
students, carrying a 3.5
GPA or higher and com-
mitted to Jewish identi-
ty, education and com-
munity are encouraged to
apply to the program,
which begins March 17.
Students will meet
nine times, once each
month, at the University
of Michigan in Ann Ar-

A

bor. Transportation will
be provided.
"We're looking for
strong candidates. They
have to read; they have
to be ready to be chal-
lenged. College profes-
sors are running the cur-
riculum," said Howard
Gelberd, AJE executive
director.
A realistic look at Jew-

ish history will be ex-
plored. Following the
completion of the pro-
gram, the AJE hopes to
offer a trip to partici-
pants and to watch con-
tinued involvement in
teaching and committees
within the community.
Applications can be ob-
tained through congre-
gations or the ME.

