News From
The Frankel Center

for college students by college students

First Step To Washington?

Lansing internship may be stepping stone for WMU senior.

By Erin Kaplan

Kalamazoo

M

Deborah Dash Moore, Frederick
G.L. Huetwell Professor of History
and Director The Jean & Samuel
Frankel Center for Judaic Studies,
University of Michigan

Studying Jews

The idea of studying Jews at
the University of Michigan
often catches students by
surprise. Most likely, their
parents never had the op-
portunity to take a Judaic
Studies course when they
went to college. So students
don't think that the univer-
sity is a place where they
can learn about Jewish his-
tory, culture and religion. Yet
over a generation, an enor-
mously varied curriculum of
Jewish studies has found a
home within the university.
There are courses in History
and Near Eastern Studies,
English and Political Science,
Anthropology and Sociol-
ogy. The Frankel Center for
Judaic Studies coordinates
and integrates these courses
into a concentration and an
increasingly popular minor.
Even more rewarding, the
university offers need-based
scholarships for students
choosing to major in Judaic
Studies, gifts from alums who
never had a chance to study
Jews when they attended
the University of Michigan.

Deborah Dash Moore

Jean & Samuel

Frankel
Centerfor Judaic Studies

2011 Regents of the
University of Michigan

©

26

February 10 2011

ax Glick of West Bloomfield is

a senior at Western Michigan
University with big plans. He
currently holds a position on
the WMU Hillel executive board as the Western
Student Association representative. In this
capacity, Max votes on Hillel's behalf at WMU's
student association each week.
But his political interests go beyond WMU's
campus. This semester, he secured an internship
as part of the Capital Internship program in
Lansing. He learned of the internship program
through WMU's Political Science Department,
which administers the program. Glick and
about a dozen others travel to Lansing twice a
week, work all day and receive credit for their
internships. Each student is assigned to either
a state representative, senator, judge or a lob-
bying firm.
"The best way to influence what happens in
the world," Glick said, "is to have a hands-on
approach; and the internship has allowed me
to be a part of the process of change."
Glick works closely with Democratic State

Rep.Sean McCann from Kalamazoo's
60th District. Glick admires McCann
for his commitment to education,
which is something he, too, is pas-
sionate about.
"I feel that being an intern in col-
lege will hopefully be the first step
of many toward my ultimate goal of
working in Washington, D.C.," said
Glick, who is majoring in political
science and public policy.
Intern Max Glick of West Bloomfield at his
When asked to explain his respon-
desk in State Rep. Sean McCann's office.
sibilities, he said, "We're pretty
active. I sit in on committee meet-
ings; I do basic office work by responding to
"Because I am about to graduate, this a
constituent letters; I do research and whatever
good opportunity to network with people who
is asked of me to keep the office running effec-
work in Lansing," Glick said. "This will hope-
tively."
fully lead to employment after I graduate."
Rep. McCann said, "Max is an exceptional
What he's learned so far?
young man. He is very bright with a strong
"Nothing comes easy; but if you're willing
work ethic and has proven to be a tremendous
to put in the effort, you will accomplish your
asset to my office."
goals." @
Glick says what you learn in a political
office, you don't necessarily learn in a class-
Erin Kaplan of West Bloomfield is a junior at
room.
Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

Israeli Makes An Impact

Tennis player Delgado brings spirit and talent to GVSU team.

By Josh Kazdan

Allendale

T

he Grand Valley State University
(GVSU) men's tennis team
introduces a new face this season
to compile a strong seven-man
roster. Transfer student Benny Delgado-
Rochas arrived in Michigan to help GVSU
in its quest to qualify for Nationals by fm-
ishing top two in their conference.
Born in Tel Aviv, he has become a team
leader and motivator that the Lakers
believe they need to succeed. He has not
forgotten the lessons of Judaism that guide
him in tennis and life.
"Judaism is very important in my life
and I hope that it will continue to be a big
part of what I do," he says.
His commitment is shown by his imme-
diate involvement in helping to expand and

GVSU teammates josh Kazdan

of Southfield and Benny

Delgado Rochas of Tel Aviv

strengthen the Grand Valley Hillel
community, which has grown signifi-
cantly at the school, now numbering
around 50 registered members.
"I wanted to transfer to a bigger,
better school with more opportunities
to do internships," says the 25-year-
old junior majoring in international
business. "In Alabama, I was in a
small town with no Jews, no Hillel,
nothing. I wanted to go to a school
with there was a Hillel, where I could
celebrate Jewish events, holidays and
Sababath once in a while, maybe go
to a synagogue and be with others."
Delgado-Rochas's tennis experi-
ence includes impressive feats already,
with two years of eligibility still

Israel on page 28

Home Away from page 21

least be physically comfortable, instead of just
afraid.
The third time I traveled to Israel was for
Hillel's Student Leaders Assembly. I was deeply
moved to see so many young Jews from all
over the world together in Israel, learning to
become the next generation of Jewish com-
munity leaders.
Hillel at EMU also has helped me expand
my horizons here in Michigan. Not only have
I built lifelong friendships, but also Hillel
empowered me to create Jewish experiences

for me and my peers. I have eaten count-
less Shabbat meals, helped create Chanukah
celebrations and contributed to other Jewish
events and experiences. I served as a program-
ming intern and had the opportunity to learn
from dedicated and talented professionals and
gain vital job skills while creating amazing
events. I also have learned about Jewish orga-
nizations such as Jewish Family Service and
JVS, which serve my home Jewish community
in Metro Detroit.
I chose to invest my time in Hillel at EMU

and it has given me substantial returns in ways
I could never have imagined. I am incredibly
blessed to be a part of this community, which I
love with all my heart. Hillel at EMU has given
me the chance to grow and commit to Jewish
life. Because of Hillel at EMU, I will be a life-
long participant in and supporter of the Jewish
community, wherever my future takes me. @

Heather Hoberman of West Bloomfield is

a senior at Eastern Michigan University in

Ypsilanti.

