On Campus Tzedek, Social Justice Are Alive At Eastern Clara Silver Special to the Jewish News Ypsilanti ewish students from Hillel at Eastern Michigan University have been actively involved in community service efforts this year. The students have chosen to prioritize tzedek, which means social justice, bringing Jewish values alive. A group of 14 EMU Hillel students will be travelling to the Gulf Coast region in late February to participate in Alternative Spring Break. While in Mississippi and Louisiana, students will assist with clean up and rebuilding efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, and explore how Jewish values help combat poverty and build community. The participants commit to raising funds to cover the trip costs, planning and executing a campus-wide social justice j initiative when they return, as well as seeking out opportunities to help their local communities. Eastern's Jewish students participate in multiple social justice/community service projects led by EMU Hillel tzedek intern Stacie Rosemun throughout the year. In the fall, a dozen students picked apples at Wasem's Fruit Farm and donated them to Food Gatherers, the primary distributor of food to the needy in Washtenaw County. About two dozen students assembled no-sew fleece blankets and pumpkin pie "kits" which were distributed via Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County to area families for the Thanksgiving holiday. About 100 students celebrating an early Chanukah prepared dozens of greet- ing cards which were included in the Chanukah care packages distributed by Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County with the help of local volunteers. Many of the Jewish students that Stacie Roseman, the Green College Life Fund Tzedek intern at EMU, is a sophomore from Lyndhurst, Ohio. participate in these projects are from Metropolitan Detroit and 80 percent of EMU graduates remain in Michigan. Clara Silver, EMU Hillel executive director, can be reached at (734) 482-0456 or clara@emuhillel.org. ❑ EMU Calendar Feb. 8, Sunday, 8 p.m. With Hillel Metro Detroit. Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Feb. 18, Wednesday, 6 p.m. Alternative Spring Break: Night Out at the JCC of Greater Washtenaw, free. Feb. 10, Tuesday, 8 p.m. Battle of the Bands semi-finals at Student Center Auditorium, free. Feb. 19, Thursday. Taglit-Birthright Israel: Hillel trip in May, registration opens 10 a.m. at Pray Harrold and noon at Student Center. Feb. 13, Friday, 5 p.m. Coffee and Chill with Hillel at Student Center Starbucks, free. Feb. 22-March 1 Alternative Spring Break: trip to the Gulf Coast. Feb. 13 and 15, Friday and Sunday. Holy Trinity visits Hillel for Love Shabbat; Hillel visits Holy Trinity for Sunday Supper. For more information on these events, contact Ricky Kamil, (734) 482-0456 or program@emuhillel.org. Making You get more than just theories and equations at Lawrence Tech. You're exposed to the tools and practical experience you'll need to realize your dreams. The goal is simple: To prepare you to not only compete within your profession. but to lead it. Explore over 80 undergraduate. masters. and doctoral programs in Architecture and Design. Arts and Sciences, Engineering. and Management. To have your application fee waived. visit Itu.edu/applyfree Lawrence Technological University Office of Admissions 21000 \West Ten Mile Road Southfield, MI 48075-1058 800.CALL.LTU • admissions@ltu.edu • Itu.edu , C16 February 5 • 2009