Jewish d 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. www.theJEWISHNEWS.com x f jewish@edu February 11 n 2010 7