jewish@edu

for college students by college students

The Religious Side

WSU student explores Judaism in-depth during
Jewish Awareness Movement Israel trip.

Summer Camp For
Arts-Minded Teens

Do you know any arts minded (and career-focused) Jewish teens? There is a three-week
Jewish summer program called 92nd Street Y's Passport NYC (in New York City).
Ten Jewish teens from the Detroit area have participated in 92Y's Passport NYC,
according to Andrew Sherman, associate director of public relations at the camp.
"Here's the program in a nutshell," he says. "Teens get to immerse themselves in
one of five specialties — film, fashion, music industry, culinary arts, musical theater —
while they network with captains of industry and live in New York City (here at 92nd
Street Y)."
The 92nd Street Y also offers a wealth of programs designed to inform and inspire a
meaningful connection to Jewish beliefs, teachings, traditions and celebrations.
Information is available at: www.92y.org/passport or (212) 415-5641. @

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By Daniel Snyder I jewish@edu Staff Writer

S

pending three weeks in the Old City
of Jerusalem was a dream I never
thought would become a reality. This
December/January, I participated in a pro-
gram sponsored by the Jewish Awareness
Movement (JAM), an Orthodox college stu-
dent movement based in Los Angeles.
The trip was guided by Rabbi Moshe
and Bracha Zaret, formerly of Oak Park,
who founded JAM. My desire to return to
Israel was sparked by my venture in May
of 2011, when I participated in the Detroit
Community Taglit-Birthright Israel trip as a
student at Wayne State University who was
actively involved in Hillel of Metro Detroit
(HMD). Currently, I am president of the
Jewish Student Organization at WSU and an
intern for HMD.
My experience this winter exposed me
to a more religious side of Judaism. In the
mornings, our group of 40 men and women
studied at separate locations. The men
learned at Aish HaTorah in the Old City
overlooking the Western Wall; the women
studied at a women's yeshiva. The men stud-
ied together and collaborated with world-
renowned rabbis and Aish HaTorah students.
Our group also met with notable authors
and speakers who shared their religious per-
sonal stories that inspired our cohort. Also
during the trip, each of the men made his
own tzitzit (tallit corner tassels).
In the afternoons, we visited significant
religious and historical sites. A few high-
lights included the Cave of the Patriarchs

in Hebron, Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem and
Tzfat in northern Israel. During one day trip,
we ventured to the Golan Heights, Tiberius
and shared a sunset boat ride on the Sea
of Galilee. While in the Golan Heights, we
visited an IDF tank memorial, explored ruins
of an old city and took in the views at the
Mount Arbel lookout.
In the evenings, we enjoyed Israeli night-
life and meaningful activities — hanging
out on Ben Yehuda Street, a night out in Tel
Aviv and eating at unique kosher restaurants
— allowing the group to bond in relaxed
atmospheres.
My most spiritual experiences were during
the two Shabbats I spent in Jerusalem in the
religious neighborhoods of Ramat Eshkol
and Beit Shemesh, respectively. Each Friday
night we went to shul, followed by home
hospitality with delicious homemade meals.
The spiritual significance of this trip has
impacted me greatly and has inspired me to
continue my Jewish learning here in Detroit.
With the guidance of Hillel of Metro
Detroit, I plan to become a more involved
Jewish student leader furthering my own
"Jewish journey." I also plan to become a
more active member of the Detroit Jewish
community upon graduation from WSU next
May. @

Daniel Snyder of Farmington Hills is

a fourth-year student at Wayne State

University in Detroit.

OAKLAND UNIVERSITY IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED UNIVERSITY
WITH MORE THAN 130 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
AND 120 GRADUATE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

• 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 LIFT — OU hosts the Jewish Student Organization,

which operates in association with Hillel of Metro Detroit.

To find out more, please visit

To learn about the Judaic studies program, contact Michael Pytlik

at pytlikOoakland edu

Daniel Snyder in Israel with the security fence in the
background

OAKLAND

UNIVERSITY

JN

February 14 • 2013

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