From our Family to yours,
HAPPY
PASSOVER
Campus Discovery
OCC's Jewish Student Organization brings
this student a home.
Dovid Nissan Roetter
jewish@edu writer
30975 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills
GMGPV'S
Dovid Roetter, right, with a Fleischman resident at the
"senior prom"
hen I started classes at
Oakland Community College
last year, I was happy, yet
something didn't feel right. I was making
friends in class, but I didn't know any Jews
on campus.
About a month into the semester, every-
thing changed. I was running late for class
and mistakenly entered the wrong build-
ing. Suddenly I was staring at the word
"Jewish" on a flyer for the Jewish Student
Organization of OCC. I took one of the con-
tact slips and quickly ran to class.
I knew I had to look into this organiza-
tion, so I emailed Sophie Lester, who was
president then. Yet, I had hesitated, not
because I was nervous, but because I had
a preconceived idea of what Hillel was all
about. When I heard back from Sophie, she
invited me to join the group. Still very biased
about what kind of group it was, I asked if
we can meet up first so I could learn more
about the JSO. I prepared a list of questions.
Sophie quickly calmed my fears. She
explained that Hillel of Metro Detroit,
known as HMD, believes that every Jew
should, and must, feel welcome. They go out
of their way to ensure that all food is 100
percent kosher; any events held on Shabbat
will adhere to observant views; and the like.
Still a little worried, I agreed to attend the
JSO's next event, a Bagel Talk. That event
changed my whole viewpoint on HMD. We
simply talked about what it means to be a
Jew, while munching on delicious bagels from
Jerusalem Bagel. During the board meeting
that followed, I found myself becoming the
new secretary of the JSO at OCC.
I felt at home. Although I kept asking
questions (to make sure I wasn't dream-
ing), I was constantly reminded that I don't
W
have to worry about kashrus or Shabbos or
anything really. I began to associate a great
deal with the JSO and with HMD in general.
I now try to attend every event I can; and
I do everything in my power to have other
Jews at OCC join us.
HMD and the JSO are great ways to meet
new people and have a feeling of belonging.
Whether it's volunteering at Yad Ezra or hav-
ing a blast at Dave & Busters, Hillel of Metro
Detroit definitely has enhanced my college
experience. However, a recent event showed
me just how beautiful this organization is.
On Feb. 2, HMD joined with seniors at the
Fleischman Residence in West Bloomfield
for a "Senior Prom." It was an afternoon of
dancing, singing, laughing and getting to
know one another.
Through this event, I understood the goal
of Hillel. HMD is here for the community. If
it means spending extra money on kosher
food so that one observant Jew will feel
comfortable, it is done. If it means going out
of the way to calm the fears of a young guy
who may or may not join their organization,
it is done. HMD simply wishes to make the
Jewish community of Detroit whole. Young
or old, observant, Conservative or Reform,
none of that matters. A Jew is a Jew —
that's what is important.
The smiles I saw at the "Senior Prom"
made me realize just how glad and proud I
am to be able to say that I associate myself
with HMD. They are more than just an orga-
nization - they are a community. A commu-
nity that cares. @
Dovid Nissan Roetter is a 19-year-old
Orthodox student in his second year at
Oakland Community College. He lives in
Oak Park.
Creative Jewelers
248.855.0433
Family owned & operated since 1947
gjUlue us on
OUR
ENTERTAINERS
ARE READY
TO CELEBRATE WITH
YOU!
Facabook
1906430
— p -
;TAYLOR
B OA'.
CONNECTING
WITH OUR CLIENTS
AT EVERY STAGE.
"TEVEN'
S
BRANDON. D
STEVE
DOMINIQUE
eor0J-Eu.
248.356.6000 .JOECORNELLCOM
ENTERTAINMENT
f
You
Tube
V
Brain Balance -
Ar"-' 1
"
1-1
"'''' .-ENTERS
I s your child struggling
Academically,
Socially, Behaviorally,
or Developmentally?
$100 OFF
Our
Comprehensive
Assessment
mention
this ad
1
100%
DRUG-FREE !
_ANNEMIIL
Learn how to overcome childhood weaknesses
with the Brain Balance Program®
Saturday, April 12th : 9:00 - 10:30am • Thursday, April 17th : 6:30 - 8:00pm
Tuesday, April 22nd : 6:30 - 8:00pm • Tuesday, April 29th : 9:30 - 11:00am
R.S.V.P. requested
33535 Woodward Ave. Birmingham - 248 - BALANCE 248-225-2623
brainbalancecenters.com - Find Us On Facebook n@ Brain Balance Birmingham ,.
April 10 • 2014 77