Many Jewish students speak of Havdalah as a treasured
Alumnus Irwin Elson:
a lifetime of giving
time at summer camp, their favorite service, or the most
An appreciation for a
meaningful connection they have had with Judaism.
university that benefits many
Havdalah events offer tradition with a twist
created a bond between
With this idea in mind, MSU Hillel has created a new
Michigan State and alumnus
program—Havdalah Rocks—in partnership with
Irwin Elson that is as strong
Temple Israel.
today as it was when it
Beginning this month, an exciting student-led Havdalah
began 50-plus years ago.
service will take place monthly at a unique location on
During his student days,
the MSU campus. Each program offers tradition with a
twist: songs with guitar accompaniment and prayers,
followed by a social activity.
"This is a way for students to connect to Judaism and
participate in a service while also having fun," says
Jessica Katz, Jewish student life coordinator at MSU
Hillel.
Elson, a 1961 graduate in social science, studied
Jewish students at MSU form friendships during the many spiritual
and social events hosted by MSU Hillel.
• Havdalah under the Stars: Havdalah service at Abrams
Planetarium, followed by a star show and song session
• Havdalah in the Snow: outdoor Havdalah service,
followed by hot chocolate, snowman building,
Casey Weiss, an MSU junior majoring in social work,
appreciates being able to continue a custom she
usually celebrates with her family in West Bloomfield.
"Havdalah services mean a lot to me," she says. "I was
raised to always appreciate the importance of
partaking in different commandments and traditions,
and reciting Havdalah is one of these traditions."
Regardless of the location, each Havdalah Rocks
snowball fights, and sledding
• Havdalah on Skates: Havdalah service, followed by
open skating at Munn Ice Arena
• Bowling Havdalah: Havdalah service, followed by glow
bowling
• Broomball Havdalah: Havdalah on ice, followed by a
game of broomball at Munn Ice Arena
program brings together Jewish students at MSU to
For more information about these or other MSU Hillel
continue or reconnect with customs and to make new
programs, please contact Cindy Hughey at (517)
friends and memories. Five programs are planned for
spring semester:
Irwin and Judy Elson
332-1916 or visit msuhilleiorg. 0
broadly across disciplines including history, political
science, and international studies.
"MSU taught me how to look at the whole picture," he
says, "and it turned out to be great for my future."
Elson—who cofounded J & L America Inc., which he
later sold to Kennametal Corporation—feels strongly
about giving back to institutions that helped him
achieve success. Over the years, he has given to MSU
and to the Jewish Community Center and the Jewish
Federation of Metro Detroit, where he has served in
leadership capacities for many years.
"It is my honor to annually give each something
because I felt so good about learning from and later
working with each of these institutions," he says.
As a Kennametal Corporation retiree, Elson has been
able to leverage his private giving with matching gifts
from the Kennametal Foundation. Together with his
wife, Judy, he belongs to MSU's Snyder Society.
Initially, the Elsons supported MSU's land and indus-
-*
For the fifth year in a row, MSU leads the nation
in study abroad participation among public
universities.
Open Doors 2009, the institute of International Education's annual report
trial development efforts in Israel, based on his desire
to link MSU's land-grant strengths with a country
renowned for great success in applied sciences. In
more recent years, they have supported MSU's Jewish
Studies Program, which they believe is a critical
component in maintaining a strong Jewish identity for
MSU students and anchoring an increasingly strong
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The Elsons also support MSU by sharing their time and
MSU Hillel
Israeli Iron Chef—February 9, 6 p.m.
Show off your culinary skills in our Israeli Iron Chef
competition at MSU Hillel. Contact israelfellow@
msuhillel.org for more information and to sign up.
Havdalah and Purim Party—Feb 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Celebrate the end of Shabbat and Purim at this fun
carnival-themed party. Contact Casey Weiss at
weisscas@msu.edu for more information.
MSU Admissions
MSU offers high school students many opportunities
to learn more about programs and to experience
campus life. Learn more at admissions.msu.edu/
visitcampus.
Explore giving opportunities
givingto.msu.edu
Learn more about alumni participation
msualum.com
Jewish presence in mid-Michigan.
are choosing to attend State," says Irwin Elson.
talents. A year ago, they hosted a dinner at their home
in Bloomfield Hills in support of the Eli and Edythe
Broad Art Museum, which is slated to open on campus
in 2012.
A loyal Spartan football fan, Irwin Elson also has stayed
connected with MSU through serving on the Jewish
MICHIGAN STATE
UNIVERSITY
Your comments are welcome: write to Michigan State University,
302 Olds Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1047 or call (517) 355-7505.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
Studies Program's advisory board and as a member of
the president's campaign cabinet during MSU's most
recent capital campaign. The Elsons' passion for MSU
has become a family legacy, too. Both of their
daughters are MSU alumni and enthusiasts. 0