for college students by college students
A Life Remembered Is Never Over
Experience
of a Lifetime
MSU student memorializes his much-missed best friend, Ryan Rosman.
By Corey Berkowitz
L
ast November, the tragic death
of my best friend, Ryan Rosman,
brought an entire community
dad. Ryan and I are leaving my house. I am run-
together to support his family and
honor his memory.
ning out the door as Ryan sits on a hallway step
to put his shoes on (he never wanted to get the
floor dirty though no one asked him to remove
his shoes when he entered our home).
At age 19, Ryan had already filled his plate
with many accomplishments.
"Keep an eye on Corey," my dad would say.
"I always do," Ryan replied.
A car detailing business and winning a state-
wide DECA competition reflected Ryan's focus
and drive.
On Aug. 16, at Tam O'Shanter Country Club in
West Bloomfield, more than 500 people, includ-
As an honor student at Michigan State
University, Ryan became an active volunteer at
MSU Hillel. In his very quiet way, he command-
ed respect from those who knew him and now
those who wish they had known him.
Honestly, when I think of Ryan, it is not of
his accomplishments, honors or memorials. The
person I knew and will always remember was
so much more. He was giving and forgiving. He
was not perfect, but he was perfectly human.
Funny in a self-effacing way and, above all, so
very patient.
The fact that we survived being roommates
our freshman year at MSU was a true testa-
ing my AEPi brothers, MSU Hillel friends, other
friends and family came together to celebrate
Ryan Rosman
To make a donation to the
Ryan Rosman Memorial
Fund or for more informa-
tion on the annual Ryan
Rosman Memorial Golf
Outing, contact Shelly Beyer
at MSU Hillel at
shelly@msuhillel.org.
our love for Ryan with his favorite sport — golf.
The outing was a huge success, selling out
weeks before the event. The first Ryan Rosman
Memorial Golf Outing will fund leadership pro-
gramming and scholarships for Jewish students
at Michigan State University. I know that Ryan
would be so honored by the outpouring of gen-
erosity from our community.
My relationship with Ryan will always be
a very big part of my past; yet his role in my
future is even more clearly defined. I have found
strength in believing that he is with me now
and always. @
ment to his patience and our friendship. He
was a neat freak and I prefer to live by the pile
method ... a pile of shirts here and a pile of
socks there! Our differences made for a strong
friendship.
Recently, my mom recalled a scenario that
was often played out between Ryan and my
Corey Berkowitz, 20, of West Bloomfield is a junior at
Michigan State University in East Lansig.
Birthright Israel brings
connection to the land
and people home.
By Yelena Pliskina
T
o me, Israel was always this
unreachable Holy Land in a far-
away place. But Taglit-Birthright
Israel makes it possible for young
Jewish adults, like me, to take the trip of a
lifetime. This year was finally my chance to
take this adventure — and what an adven-
ture it was!
Our Detroit Federation's Seligman Family
Community Taglit-Birthright Israel trip, which
took place May 24-June 4 through Israel
Outdoors, was unique in many ways.
I did not know much about Israel before
the trip, but I could not wait to learn. After
signing up, I received a call from a rather
convincing staff member who suggested I go
on the 18-22-year-old, Detroit community-
based trip. I am currently 22 and will be 23
in September; so at first, I was hesitant. If I
wanted to go, this was the guaranteed way;
so how could I say no?
Many trips arP made up of individuals
from all over the country; but ours was
entirely made up of 40 Jewish young adults
from Metro Detroit. It was sponsored by the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
and Hillel of Metro Detroit.
Before embarking on this journey, I felt a
connection to Israel; but not until halfway
through the trip, did I realize how strong
the connection actually was. I was born in
Ukraine and moved to Michigan when I was
4. As I grew up, my parents explained to me
that even though I was born in Ukraine and
our family spoke Russian, my nationality is
Jewish. I was always confused as to how
Judaism could be a nationality.
While in Israel, after meeting Israelis and
experiencing the land — the Golan Heights,
the Kotel, the Galilee, Tel Aviv and the Negev
— I felt more and more connected. I now
understand Judaism as a nationality and cul-
ture after seeing where Israeli's live, learning
LIFETIME on page 30
The Judaic Studies minor at Oakland University:
excellent education close to home
On campus: The Jewish Student Organization, in association with
Hillel of Metro Detroit, The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
-11 9
-•,‘4Y
Oakland
UNIVERSITY
Katie Nix of Arm Arbor, Shayno
Hodge of Ferndale, Nicole
Lederman of Ann Arbor and Becca
Fealk of Farmington Hills
College of Arts and Sciences
217 Varner Hall, 2200 North Squirrel Road, Rochester, MI 48309-4401
(248) 370-2140
CAS3fi4 1 /8.10
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August 26 • 2010