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Laugh in Peace trio: Rabbi Bob Alper, Azhar Usman and Rev. Susan Sparks.

MSU event helps students to find
common ground among differences.

Robyn Berkowitz
Special to the Jewish News

Lansing

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n Nov. 21, a large group of
sponsors joined together for
a night of laughter as they
presented the Laugh in Peace Comedy
Tour in the Michgan State University
Union Ballroom.
Featuring a rabbi (Rabbi Bob
Alper), a Muslim (Azhar Usman) and
a minister (the Rev. Susan Sparks),
the Laugh in Peace show was a
stereotype-destroying comedy perfor-
mance that showed that humor may
be the quickest way to world peace.
Featured on CNN, the Huffington Post
and CBS's The Early Show, the trio of
comedians has traveled around world
to promote peace and understanding.
The show, which attracted a crowd
of 300, was a free event meant for
students from all backgrounds and
cultures.
"Laugh in Peace created a safe space
on campus for open discussion," said
Sam Appel, a senior from Huntington
Woods and the engagement intern at

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MSU Hillel. "It helped break stereo-
types not only in our MSU commu-
nity, but also worldwide."
Referring to the ultimate goal of
the show, Rabbi Alper said, "Laughter,
even and especially between people of
very different backgrounds and faiths,
brings people together and helps them
understand and enjoy their common
humanity. It helps us see one another
not as a stranger, but as someone with
whom we share a very pleasant expe-
rience:'
Dani Gittleman, a sophomore from
Bloomfield Hills and an MSU Hillel
Ask Big Questions (campus discussion
program) intern said, "The program
brought so many different kinds of
people together. For that hour and a
half, no one was paying attention to
those differences, but instead coming
together for the same reasons. That
was truly an amazing sight to see:'
The sponsors included the
Associated Students of MSU, MSU
Jewish Student Union, Arab Cultural
Society, MSU Campus Interfaith
Council, Ask Big Questions, MSU
Hillel and the Office for Inclusion and
Intercultural Initiatives. I I

Thursday, December 8, 2011
6:00-9:00pm

32801 Woodward, Royal Oak
(248) 439-6040

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 1 1 am-7pm

Charitable Donations ALWAYS Welcome

Visit our other Council ReSale Shops for Clothing and Accessories

3297 W. 12 Mile Rd
Berkley, Ml 48072
(248) 548-6664

Ask Big Question interns: senior Paris Wilson of Detroit, sophomores

Hours: I I :C.X.,)o,rn-7:00pm (Mon-Sot)
Noon-4:00pm (Sun)

1221 E. Lincoln
Royal Oak, Ml 48067
(248) 542-2600

Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (Mon-Sat)

Dani Gittleman of Bloomfield Hills, Jeffrey Goodman of Cincinnati, Lauren

Blazofsky of West Bloomfield, Joanna Kukla of Grosse Ile and Robyn

Berkowitz, director, engagement/campus initiatives, MSU Hillel.

Proceeds benefit protects of National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Detroit Section

December 1 • 2011

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