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for college students by college students
Hillel At EMU Expects
To Soar Under New Model
Making Choices
Dan Morris } jewish@edu writer
Lexie Sittsamer } jewish@edu writer
ome may have heard the news earlier this sum-
mer that Eastern Michigan University's Hillel
house was closing its doors. I was one of the
many who was shocked and worried to read this news.
The Hillel house served as home
to any and all Jewish students at
EMU and Washtenaw Community
College. The fear that there would
be not a home for Jewish students
anymore was terrifying.
But Hillel at EMU is now part
of a Hillel partnership called
HCAM (Hillel Campus Alliance of
Michigan) under the administra-
tion of Michigan State University Hillel — and the
transition could not have gone more smoothly. Being
added to the HCAM group [of nine campuses outside
of Metro Detroit] gives us hope that our growth will
continue at such a rate that we would have outgrown
our house anyway.
We will be immersing ourselves into the campus
atmosphere while we program throughout the univer-
sity this year. I am fully confident that under the HCAM
model, EMU Hillel will thrive and provide a positive
Jewish experience for all those involved.
Hillel@WMU helped draw involved student to college.
Although no staff will be physically present on
EMU's campus, HCAM staff members made several
trips to EMU this summer. They communicate with us
regularly so that we are receiving all the attention and
resources we need to be successful.
Becoming part of HCAM has opened up both Hillel
at EMU and its students to a whole new world of
opportunities, including a wide array of programming
materials.
Students have been stepping up and taking leader-
ship roles, creating a Hillel that is an organization for
students run by their peers. All programs are developed
by student leaders participating in a leadership pro-
gram held by HCAM.
Already, Hillel at EMU has filled the calendar with
different types of programming, including a Kick-Off
BBQ on Sept. 8, Sushi in the Sukkah on Sept. 19, a trip
to Wiard's Orchard for apple picking on Oct. 13, challah
baking on Oct. 15 and a Challahween Shabbat dinner
on Oct. 25.
For details about these events, contact Aaron Sandler
at asandler@emich.edu . @
Dan Morris of Ypsilanti is a senior at Eastern Michigan
University.
hoosing the perfect college can be
daunting. In addition to consider-
ing the program, location and cost,
it was important for me to find a school
with an active, thriving Jewish community.
When researching universities, I spoke
with many friends and recent alumni of
Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
Everyone spoke at great length about the
memories and experiences they had because
of their participation with Hillel@WMU, so I
knew that if I attended Western, I would be
actively involved in the organization.
I am now entering my sophomore year
and, although I have only been involved for
a short time, the opportunities presented to
me have been endless. I am currently serv-
ing as the Religious Chair for the 2013-2014
academic year, and couldn't be more excited
about all we have to offer.
This fall, Hillel@WMU will host several
events, including Shabbat dinners and holi-
day programs, to ensure all Jewish students
are able to find their home-away-from-home
in Hillel. Upcoming programs include a Yom
C
Kippur break-fast on Sept. 14, an ice cream
mixer at Coldstone Creamery on Monday,
Sept. 16, and a Shabbat celebration on
Friday, Sept. 17. All Hillel@WMU events are
free and provide an opportunity for Jewish
students to mix and mingle with friends
while creating new traditions on campus.
Hillel@WMU also will hold its Alumni/
Student Homecoming Shabbat Dinner on
Friday, Oct. 11, during homecoming week-
end.
I knew I wanted to plan this inclusive
event. We are looking forward to an evening
of new and old connections, where alumni
can reunite with past Hillel members, meet
current students and share a delicious meal.
The rest of our academic calendar is
filled with Shabbat dinners, social activities,
athletics, community service and more. To
learn about upcoming events or get more
involved, go to www.h-cam.net/wmu or
www.facebook.com/wmuhillel . @
Lexie Sittsamer of Farmington Hills is a
sophomore at Western Michigan University.
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September 12 • 2013
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