Opinion

Hillel strives to
infuse Jewish tnean-
inc; into the lives of
the most uninvolved
Je-wisli students.

Book Tour

Peace Now activist
is speaking locally.

A

CUSS

communal concerns over "Jewish
continuity;' he reminded Jewish
leaders that the campus is ... a key
cratewly
" for Jewis
Jewish
h continuity- and a
key definer of the Jewish future."
Under his leadership. Hillel
became an independent organi7a-
don, reached more students than
ever and raised unprecedented
sums.
Today, guided by President Wayne
Firestone, Hillel has adopted a new
mission statement and strategic
Plan that commits the organization
to "enriching the lives of Jewish
undergraduate and graduate stu-
e
dents so that they may enrich th
Jewish people and the world:
Through Taglit-Birthright Israel
trips, social justice alternative
breaks and on-campus educational
initiadves. Hillel strives to infuse
Jewish meaning into the lives of the
most uninvolved Jewish students.
Hillel has returned to its roots as
an orsani7ation committed to those
lacking a Jewish education while
sdll providing outlets for more
Je\s-ishly committed students.
Hillel celebrates its anniversary at
a moment when the largest group of
Jewish students in American history
— the children of the baby boom-
ers — is reaching college campuses.
Meanwhile, the Jewish commmi-
ty's finding sources, drained by the
economic downturn and the .Madoff
scandal, are dramatically shrinkinz.
As communities even -where reas-
sess their priorities, the needs of
Jewish college students need to be
remembered.
Eighty-five Years after the
Leopold and Loeb case brought the
needs of Jewish college students to
the wider commlinitv's attention,
Hillel's mission is more urgent than
ever.

Jonathan D. Sarna is the Joseph H. &

Belle R. Brawn Professor of American

Jewish History at Brandeis University

and author of "American Judaism: A

History."

meinu Den-oft, the former
Labor Zionist Alliance. will
present Dan Fleshier to dis-
and sip copies of his new book,

Transforming Americas Ip-ael Lobby
— The limits of its POWET and the
Potential for Change.
The event takes place 2-4 p.m.
Sunday. June 14. at Book Beat (\s- is-w.
thebookbeat. com ).
26010 Greenfield
at Lincoln), in Oak
Park. There is no
charge to attend.
Workmen's Circle is
a co-sponsor.
Fleshier, a mem-
ber of Arneinu's
Dan Fleshier
national board of
directors m New York (w‘,.-w.ameinu.
net), also is active in Americans for
Peace Now. Givat Haviva Education
Fund and Brit Tzedek v'Shalom.
He serves on the J Street Advisory
Council. He \s-rites a blog, Realistic
Dove, at: v,-,,,-,,.,-.realisticdove.org .
Written from the point of view of
a liberal American Jew who wants to
create an alternative lobby in order
to encourage more evenhanded U.S.
policies in the Middle East, Fleshier's
book sheds new light on how Israel's
American supporters exert their
influence in Washington.
With original research. Fleshier
skewers myths propounde-d by the
defenders of America's mainst-elrn
pro-Israel community as well as its
detractors. His he ok contends that
much of the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee power is based on
smoke and mirrors — on its ability to
manage the perceptions of the political
elite and promote ex:Rgerated notions
of its resources and clout
Ameinu, which means "Our
People" in Hebrew, is a 'grassroots
progressive Zionist organization
in the United States and the U.S.
affiliate of the World Labor Zionist
Movement. Ameinu promotes a love
for the Jewish people, a passion for
its wellbeing and a commitment to
Jewish values and their embodiment
in liberal democracies.
Ameinu is dedicated to promoting
a negotiated ye-ace between Israel, the
Palestinians and the Arab states, and
achieving social and economic justice
in Israel and America_

Ed Forget if you locked
the door?

ET Get frustrated when
you can't remember
things?

El Forget people's names?

If so, join us for a fun
introductory Memory
Club class and learn
memory-building tips and
techniques.

Wednesday, June 24
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
JVS
29699 Southfield Road
Southfield, MI 48076

R.S.\ P. by June 17
by calling 248-233-4247.

The Memory Club is funded by the
Jewish Women's Foundation.

Jewish
Federation

WERE PART OF THE

C li

1EIVIORY CLUB
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_June 11 • 2003

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