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. A22 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.