for college students by college students
HMD Serves
OU student organizer urges students to jump in and help others.
By Shayna Hodge
I
t's a new year, and I think it's time each and
every one of us gives a little something back to
our community.
I am a 22-year-old student at Oakland
University, and I have to admit that when I
entered college, volunteering and giving back to
my community were not on the top of my "to-do"
list. However, once I realized my desire to make
a difference, I found it extremely difficult to find
volunteer programs where I felt comfortable.
Currently, I work at the Community Housing
Network in Troy where every day I speak with
people who are struggling. Many people do not
realize that Michigan has more than 14,000
homeless individuals, making our state the
25th largest homeless count, according to the
Michigan Homeless Coalition.
I believe our community needs to know
important information like this and do some-
thing to help.
I am organizing and chairing a volunteer
program for Hillel of Metro Detroit (HMD) called
HMD Serves. At the two experiences we've held
so far, we have had an impressive showing of
Jewish college students and young adults ready
to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.
We have had the opportunity to volunteer
at two locations: OASIS in Highland Park and
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
the Detroit Rescue Mission
in Detroit. Our groups cook
and prepare large quantities
of food that is served to the
individuals who come by each
center. Our participants also
have the opportunity to talk
with the clients, allowing them
to personalize their experi-
ences.
Working in the kitchen: Max Rosenhaus of
Detroit, Wayne State University graduate;
Auren Kaplan of Southfield, University of
Michigan graduate; Alyss.a 1VicMillan of West
Bloomfield, Oakland University.
Being raised in Lake Orion,
I was one of perhaps two or
three Jewish students there
and, prior to my involvement with HMD, I had
very few Jewish friends. This has changed!
I think HMD Serves is a wonderful opportunity
for college students throughout Metro Detroit to
come together, meet one another and perform
a mitzvah. While I understand the fear of trying
something new and the nervousness of seeing
reality up close, once you jump in and partici-
pate, anxiety dissipates and positive feelings
take over.
Hillel of Metro Detroit plans for HMD Serves to
be an ongoing monthly program. I feel it is impor-
tant for my peers to join me and get involved
with the community and help the people who
need it. Our greatest cruelty is our casual blind-
ness to the despair of others. This is my motiva-
tion, and I hope it can be yours, too. @
Shayna Hodge is a third-year student at Oakland
University and lives in Ferndale.
Funding The Future from 17
technology.
Business-marketing senior
Justin Silverman of Huntingdon
With more than 130 undergraduate degree programs
and 120 graduate degree and certificate programs,
Oakland University is a nationally recognized university that
provides an affordable, high-quality education.
• No fees — OU is the only public university in Michigan
that doesn't charge fees. No activity, recreation or registration
fees — not even an application fee.
• Here to help — More than 60 percent of OU students receive
help through more than $100 million in financial assistance.
• The total college experience — The rich campus
atmosphere is complete with residence halls, Greek life,
Division I athletics and more than 200 student organizations.
• Jewish student life —
OU hosts the Jewish Student
Organization and Students for Israel, which operate in
association with Hillel of metro Detroit, the foundation
for Jewish campus life.
To find out more, please visit oakland.edu/go.
To learn about the Judaic studies program,
contact Elysa White at koppeima@oakland.edu .
Valley, Pa., was another
award recipient. He developed
HumanFankind, a website that
allows people to contribute
donations to musical artists
of their choice to counteract
online piracy. The website also
allows fans to send messages
to artists directly and contains
five blogs centered on different
musical genres.
Jewish Business Association
Entrepreneurial Fund recipients flank
a portrait of the late Ryan Rosman:
Jacob Kaufman, Adam Weiner, Corey
Berkowitz. and Justin Silverman.
"The idea came to me from
how people download music
and don't pay for it," Silverman said. "I know that people are fans of artists and they never con-
tribute to their success." For more information, visit his site at www.humanfankind.com .
Communications senior Jacob Kaufman of West Bloomfield said, "I found out about the fund
from Marla Rosman, Ryan's mom, who encouraged me to apply. I am honored to be a recipient
of the award and honored to have my name associated with Ryan's."
Kaufman has developed two sports-related products, the Golf Capo and a Flipband. The Golf
Capo is a golf training aid and the Flipband is a sweatband visor. He is working on having both
items on the market within the year.
The final recipient is advertising senior Corey Berkowitz of West Bloomfield, who is using the
grant to cover his legal expenses associated with the formation of TasteMakers LLC, a concert
production and promotion company.
"Receiving the grant was special for me because of the personal relationship I had with Ryan
throughout my life," Berkowitz said. In honor of his lifelong friend, Berkowitz's company is plan-
ning a concert with a Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist to take place in spring 2012 at the MSU
Auditorium.
For these four recipients, the Jewish Business Association Entrepreneurial Fund serves as more
than just a financial opportunity. The grant signifies motivation and support from Hillel and the
MSU Jewish community. Applications are currently being accepted for spring interviews. For
more information, visit www.msuhillel.org . @
Oakland
UNIVERSITY
22
February 6 • 2012
Kelsey Ransdell of Novi is a junior at Michigan State University.