Jewish
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o www.theJEWISHNEWS.com
Hillel Grows
More Jewish students choosing WMU.
by Jay Pliskow
Kalamazoo
Coming from Metro Detroit, it's difficult to
imagine Jews outside Southeast Michigan.
That's what I thought six years ago when I
was deciding about colleges. I chose Western
Michigan University and I never looked back.
Kalamazoo has turned into my home. Now
I am finishing my second degree at WMU, a
master's of science in mechanical engineering.
I have learned many things in my course work
and research. I have also learned what it is like
to be a part of a tight-knit and growing Jewish
community outside of Metro Detroit.
In the last few years, we have seen a growing
number of Jewish students attend WMU. Maybe
it is the increased competition, tightening fam-
ily budgets or the university's growing research
focus. Whatever reason, we know the Jewish
community on WMU's campus is larger than
ever before.
At the end of last fall semester, more than 75
students and faculty, including WMU President
John Dunn, attended our Chanukah party.
Our bi-monthly Shabbat dinners have reached
capacity. It is an amazing sight to see so many
students come together and actively participate
in our Jewish traditions. We estimate there to be
around 700 Jewish students on campus.
gramming.
We have almost reached the
limits of what we can ask from our
Kalamazoo community. We don't
have enough money to finance a
house right now, but we are work-
ing with the Jewish Federation-
Kalamazoo and the university on this.
Realistically, we need leadership
from the Detroit community to step
up and help make this a reality. We
also will reach out to the hometown
communities of our students for sup-
Last year, a student came to
WMU Hillel because she ran into a
fellow Jewish Bronco in the West
Bloomfield Target store the summer
before starting at Western. The older
student assured her that everything
would be great when she got to
campus. Now, last year's worried
_ 3.
freshman is our Hillel vice president
Rachel
Kaplan,
WMU
freshmen
Mitch
Barnett
and
of programming.
both.of Farmington Hills
So, who are the Jewish students
at WMU? Our Jewish students are
As you can see, I'm not the only Detroiter
active in every corner of campus,
heading to the west side of the state for my
from jazz studies to players on the football field.
education. And I won't be the last either. We
We are the leaders on campus, members of
see more and more Jewish students sitting in
the student government and presidents of our
WMU classrooms every year and expect the
fraternities and sororities. We have been voted
population to grow. This invigorates us to build
WMU Homecoming King; another is a former
a Jewish student community at WMU that rivals
Michigan Region BBG president. We learn to fly
what the big name schools have across the
planes in our College of Aviation and set the
country.
curve in our Lee Honors College.
With such a diverse and growing population,
With active leadership, including president
we have started the conversation about how we
Sarah Hepner of Farmington Hills, our students
can better serve our Jewish students. The pro-
have the chance to shape their community. They
cess includes having important discussions with
lead Shabbat dinners and plan our programs. I
university administrators. Also, the Kalamazoo
look forward to our intramural Hillel dodge ball
Jewish community has been outstanding and
teams taking the floor at our Student Recreation
has provided substantial support for our pro-
Center this spring for some friendly competition.
You are meant for
We can help.
-
port.
To learn more about supporting WMU Hillel,
send me an e-mail message at jay.m.pliskow@
wmich.edu . More information about WMU Hillel
can be found at www.wmuhillel.com . Or e-mail
us at kazoohillel@yahoo.com or do a quick
search on Facebook for "WMU Hillel's Official FB
Group!" @
Jay Pliskow from Huntington Woods is a graduate
adviser for WMU Hillel and working on a master's
degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
Mitch Barnett, a WMU freshman from Farmington
Hills, contributed to this story.
re ness...,
ti 4 it
Wayne State University's graduate and professional programs are among the best and most dynamic in the
nation. Wayne State holds the Carnegie Foundation's highest ranking for research activity, a distinction shared
by only 3.6 percent of U.S. universities and in Michigan only by U-M and MSU. Graduate education at Wad -
State features true academic excellence, a chance to work with top researchers and opportunities to make •)
mark on the future. Progressive programs in the health professions and in biomedical or sustainable engineering,
among many others, are making our graduates leaders in emerging industries. Visit our Graduate Open House
on Sunday, March 28 from 1-4 p.m., or visit gradadmissions.wayne.edu/openhouse to find out more.
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