Letters The following Letter to the Editor from Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid appeared in the April 5 issue of the student newspaper on the Detroit campus, the South End. It fol- lowed a week that included a closed-door meeting between Jewish students and several Wayne State University administra- tors to discuss student concerns about anti- Dr. Irvin D. Reid Semitism and security. Also that week were a rally by the campus group Students For Israel (SFI) for victims of terrorism and a rally by the non-campus group Anti Racist Action (ARA) marking Palestinian Land Day. The ARA rally included a sign calling for divestment with a swastika in the place of the "s" in the word Israel, a call for the end of Israel as a Jewish state — "Palestine will be free, from the river to the sea"— and, according to SFI activist Tova Schreiber, shouts about Jews in English and Arabic. The concerns of Jewish students were sub- jects of two stories on Fox2 News/WIBK, Detroit. Videos of the anti-Israel rally gar- nered thousands of hits on the YouTube and Little Green Footballs Web sites (visit the IN Web site JNonline.us for a link). WSU spokesperson France Wunder told the Jewish News that the university is developing a campus program to promote tolerance and civility under the leadership of Dean of Students David Strauss. She said the program will be modeled after similar initiatives on other higher education cam- puses such as the University of Michigan. She said it is intended that faculty, students and other members of the university com- munity will be involved in the program's development. The Gift Of Hillel In her Community View "Hillel Day School's Expanse" (April 5, page 26), Helene Brody wrote exactly what I had been thinking: I loved reading the March 15 issue of the IN with all the wonderful stories about Hillel alumni, not to mention the great photo of my nephew, Sam Lasser, who came in from San Francisco for his Hillel reunion! As both an alumna of Hillel as well as the current parent of a second-grade Hillel student (and an entering Hillel kindergarten student), I have been able to see the benefits of the Hillel experience. In her current Hillel class, seven students of other Hillel alumni join my daughter, Allison. Now, as Hillel parents, we look at each other and kvell during school pro- grams, knowing that it wasn't that long ago that we were sitting in those chairs, performing at the siddur party or model seder. However, there is nothing that could substitute for the compliments that Allison received from our families dur- ing our sederim this week. Everyone was amazed at her progress, how much she knew of the seder, the songs, the way she read in Hebrew and English and how she delighted in participating with everyone. I just smiled and said, "Hillel." There is a common bond among Hillel alumni, an unspoken sense of commu- nity that comes from being part of that school. A few weeks ago, a Hillel friend lost her mother. We all came together to be with her during this sad time. Many of us hadn't seen this friend in years, but because of our Hillel connection, we were there for her, no questions asked. Time only made our bond that much stronger. That is Hillel: it makes all the difference. Finally, a word of thanks to all those in the community who support Hillel with their time, energy and resources. Espe- cially to my parents, Jacqueline and Myron Freedom, Tolerance, Respect At Wayne State University, we regard diver- sity among students and faculty as one of our primary strengths. Believing in the value of tolerance across boundaries of race, nationality, ethnicity and religion, we have enthusiastically pursued a program of cross-cultural studies and activities for students and faculty. It is the business of higher education to create an environment that encourages mutual understanding, respect for differ- ences, and the kind of dialogue that heals conflicts between people and nations. A university campus should be a place in which people can learn about each other's beliefs without anxiety or fear of confron- tation. Unfortunately, over the past decade this country has witnessed a random fragmen- tation in the quality of public discourse, a gradual but perceptible displacement of rational argument by stridency, per- sonal attacks, intimidation and innuendo. Recently, a notorious symbol of bigotry and hatred was openly displayed on our campus to express a political viewpoint. Such things may be unavoidable in the anonymity of the Internet, but they do not belong at this university. Just as we maintain high standards in the classroom, we insist on high standards for personal conduct and self-expression, whether by individuals or groups. Everyone is entitled to his or her opin- ion. But we do not condone those who advocate harm to another race, nationality or ethnic or religious group, nor can we allow the distortion of history to serve a political agenda. We always have room for free speech, but we have no room for the rhetoric of hatred. Disagreement between and among peo- ple of different backgrounds, preferences, orientation or beliefs cannot be avoided. In a university setting, however, disagree- ment must lead to discourse; neither side is free to be disrespectful of the other. No matter how passionately one feels about a particular issue, or how fervently one holds a particular belief, any form of dis- regard for other persons is inappropriate. Anger, threats and intimidation are con- trary to the values of this institution and embarrassing to everyone who works and studies here. Our diversity makes Wayne State University a microcosm of the world. Institutions like ours also are the world's best hope because we care for the knowl- edge of the past even as we create the knowledge of the future. Building on the values that sustain us, we must take equal care to create a future that acknowledges the dignity of all men and women. This is the university's charge, but it is my responsibility and yours to make it real. Please join me in keeping Wayne State University a place of academic freedom and free expression, tempered by tolerance and respect. Milgrom, I am eternally thankful for my Hillel education, which is one of the great- est gifts they have ever given me. its students against the spiritual narcissism that has lately become alarmingly prevalent. As an academic, I share the benefits of my Hillel experience with my students and colleagues every day. As a parent of one — and soon to be two — Hillel students, it is comforting to know that my children's school shares my vision of and hope for their future. Marianne Milgrom Bloomberg Hillel Day School Class of 1983 Farmington Hills Hillel's Diversity Thank you, Helene Brody, for sharing in your Community View the diverse accom- plishments of Hillel Day School students, past and present ("Hillel Day School's Expanse April 5, page 26). Such accomplishments illustrate the ways that Hillel Day School realizes the aim of the original Rabbi Hillel, who taught "Im ani le'atzmi, ma ani? [If I am only for myself, what am I?]. Hillel Day School offers to any and every Jewish child an education that instills the true purpose of learning: to use what you have learned for the betterment of others. Thus, Hillel Day School strives to inoculate FILEFI3ET 'cha Don't Know Outside of Israel, which country's Jews have the highest percentage of children in Hebrew day schools? - Goldfein •slows Aep qs!mar u! pationa ualPIND s4! Io palled 96 tmAk 'eweued :JamsuV OCopyright 2007, Jewish Renaissance Media 6 April 12 u 2007 Dr. Irvin D. Reid president Wayne State University Detroit Professor Howard N. Lupovitch Hillel Day School Class of 1979 Pulver Family Chair of Jewish Studies Colby College Waterville, Maine Correction In "Sharing Their WISDOM' (April 5, page 30), the headline should have said "Beth Shalom Sisterhood joins interfaith event at mosque Also, the Muslim Unity Center in Bloomfield Hills has a domed mosque. More letters on page 8 and on JNonline. us. How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to IN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Letters of 225 words or less are considered first. Longer ones will be subject to trimming. Letter writers are limited in frequency of publication. Letters must be original and contain the name, address and title of the writer and a day phone number. Non-electronic cop- ies must be hand signed. Send letters to the IN: 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax (248) 304-8885; e-mail, letters@the jewishnews.com . 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