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 28 August 26 • 2010