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Talking Torah
Hillel at EMU students engage Jewishly during weekly
"Coffee and Conversation" sessions on campus.
By Abby Frankel } jewish@edu Staff Writer
H
illel at Eastern Michigan University
is engaging and inspiring students
of all levels of Jewish knowledge
and interest by converging two time-honored
traditions: getting together over coffee and
studying the Torah.
EMU has many students who transfer from
other colleges and universities so Hillel must
not only identify and engage Jewish students
in Jewish life, but also make this happen in
less than four years. To meet that challenge,
Hillel at EMU's staff and student advisory
panel began a new initiative: "Coffee and
Conversation."
Every Tuesday afternoon, Jewish students
gather at the Starbucks inside the EMU
Student Center, the hub of student social and
extracurricular life, to share a beverage (cour-
tesy of Hillel) and discuss themes arising from
the weekly Torah portion.
Alex Hecht, Hillel at EMU's Irwin and
Bethea Green College Life Fund Engagement
Fellow, says Coffee and Conversation is far
from typical. "There is no rabbi or teacher,
and students are invited to just show up
when they can or want, which creates a
really low-pressure and inviting opportu-
nity."
Hecht starts the conversation by shar-
ing some themes that can be found in the
weekly Torah portion, but then the students
take the lead.
Avi Segaloff, a transfer student, shared with
the Hillel staff that he remembered having
"negative experiences with Judaism" as a
young person. Coffee and Conversation is one
of Hillel at EMU's initiatives to reach out to
students who share those negative feelings
about Jewish life and Jewish ideas.
"It's exciting to see young Jewish adults
discover, or in some cases, rediscover that
Jewish ideas are accessible and relevant to
them," said Clara Silver, Hillel at EMU execu-
tive director. "Students don't realize that by
sharing their own ideas about a Torah portion
and learning from each other in familiar sur-
Sophomore Abby Frankel of Orchard Lake and senior Max
Rashes of Ann Arbor
roundings like a coffee shop, they are actually
engaged in traditional Jewish learning."
Coffee and Conversation is scheduled dur-
ing the day so that a variety of students'
schedules can be accommodated. Returning
and new students are attending each week.
"It is awesome to be able to have a quick
Jewish learning session in between classes,"
said Dan Morris, an EMU senior who trans-
ferred from Washtenaw Community College.
"Hillel at EMU's Coffee and Conversation
has made it possible for me to continue my
Jewish education and to meet amazing people
that share the same faith," said sophomore
Danielle Friedman.
Students have explored questions and
ideas, such as whether human beings really
have free will and how Jewish people should
act in the face of challenges. Beyond the ini-
tial goal, students are finding the opportunity
truly enriching.
"I really appreciate the fact that Hillel has
given us the opportunity to discuss the Torah
and its teachings," said junior Rachel Orbach.
"For me, going to services is just saying
prayers. So being able to learn right on cam-
pus is very worthwhile." @
Abby Frankel of Orchard Lake is a sophomore
at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.
Proud Warrior.
Warrior pride. You'll find it
all over Wayne State: in our
classrooms and labs, on stage
and on the field. That's because
we provide students with the
opportunity to earn a world-
class education in a city with
world-class art, culture and
athletics. Come to Midtown
Detroit for a campus tour and
see for yourself. Visit wayne.edu
or call 877-WSU-INFO to learn
more.
AIM HIGHER
February 14 • ZO13
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