On Campus
Israel's 61st
U-M pro-Israel groups unite
for birthday bash.
Danielle DePriest
Special to the Jewish News
Ann Arbor
is never too early for a birthday
party. On April 2, with Israel's birth-
day just more than a month away,
University of Michigan pro-Israel stu-
dent groups — American Movement for
Israel, Israel IDEA (Initiating Dialogue,
Education and Advocacy) and the Union
of Progressive Zionists — got the party
started.
At the heart of campus, "the Diag,"
students were greeted with the smells of
falafel and sounds of Israeli music in cel-
ebration of the 61st birthday of a nation
so close to many hearts. Complete with a
blow-up bungee run, delicious Israeli food,
cotton candy, music, educational informa-
tion and a birthday cake, this birthday
bash certainly didn't miss a beat.
Students crossing the Diag on their way
U-M sophomore Dena Cohen of Oak Park
and juniors Amy Steinway of Scottsdale,
Ariz., Ariel Warren, and Jenifer Beitner
of West Bloomfield enjoy birthday cake
on "The Diaq."
20 Set For HMD
Birthright Trip
Detroit
In the first nine days of registration for the Taglit Birthright Israel summer 2009
trips, 35,000 North American young adults applied.
This month, Hillel of Metro Detroit will take 20 Metro Detroit young adults
to Israel. HMD is bringing students from Wayne State University, Oakland
University, Oakland Community College and University of Michigan-Dearborn.
HMD will offer a post-trip gift basket to the travelers and is seeking donations
from organizations and individuals. For information, contact Julie Schechter at
hillelpd@wayne.edu or (313) 577-3459.
UM-Dearborn
Gets Active
Dearborn
Hillel of Metro Detroit launched its partnership with the University of Michigan-
Dearborn with the hiring last semester of a part-time staff person, Greg Grinman.
During the semester, he helped organize:
• Recruiting 30 Jewish students;
• Campus events, including a Pizza Lunch Meet 'N' Greet, History of Hip Hop
in conjunction with Black History Month and a Hamantashen Happy Hour to
celebrate Purim;
• Two UMD students on the HMD Taglit Birthright Hillel Israel Trip;
• Participation of UMD students in many HMD community events.
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May 7
v
2009
Students enjoy free falafel in celebration of Israel's birthday.
to lecture had the opportunity to stop in,
enjoy a piece of birthday cake and pick
up a fact sheet offering something new
about Israeli culture, history or technology.
Despite Israel's often-contentious portrayal
by the news media, the Israel Birthday Bash
brought a positive taste of Israel to campus.
Israel Birthday Bash served to unite the
pro-Israel campus community in celebra-
tion of Israel's 61st birthday. It provided
the entire campus community with addi-
tional information and a positive look at
all Israel has to offer.
"It was great to see all the major Israel
groups on campus coming together to
put on an event," said freshman Melissa
Gildenberg of West Bloomfield. 7
Danielle DePriest, a freshman at the University
of Michigan, is an executive board member
American Movement for Israel.
Hillel Metro Detroit
Summer Programs
Lag B'Omer Bonfire & BBQ
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12
Heritage Park - Farmington Road between 10 & 11 Mile roads, Farmington Hills,
free. RSVP by Monday, May 11, to Karen at hilleled®wayne.edu or (313) 577-
3459.
HMD Kickball Team
HMD will be playing in a seven-week Monday night kickball league starting
June 1 in Oak Park. $20. Contact Julie at hillelpd@wayne.edu or (313) 577-
3459.
Sand Volleyball
5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10
Beech Woods Park - 22200 Beech Road, Southfield. Free. Fun and snacks.
RSVP by Tuesday, June 9, to Julie at hillelpd@wayne.edu or (313) 577-3459.
Sushi Shabbat
8 p.m. Friday, June 26
Farmington Hills. $5 in advance
HMD chef Shelley Dube will open her home for a Sushi Shabbat dinner. RSVP
by Tuesday, June 25, to Julie at hillelpd@wayne.edu or (313) 577-3459.