Renovated Hillel at WSU is cause for celebration.
Shari S. Cohen I Special to the Jewish News
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There were many compliments on the
modern, attractive facilities, but the event
was equally a celebration of Jewish student
life and the Jewish community's strong
connection with Wayne.
"While Hillel of Metro Detroit promotes
Jewish student life at six local schools, the
investment that Wayne State has made in
Jewish life on campus merits special rec-
ognition," said Miriam Starkman, HMD
executive director.
Hillel has been housed at Wayne's
Student Center since it opened in 1969,
and the space had become somewhat
outdated. Fortunately, WSU decided to
redo the entire Student Center, includ-
ing a complete renovation of Hillel's
3,500-square-foot offices.
The new space includes a comfortable
lounge with a large flat-screen television,
more desks and study areas with laptop
connections, a library, conference room,
printing center and offices. There are
two kosher kitchens as well, but Gold 'n'
Greens, the university's dairy kosher caf-
eteria that opened in 2012, is popular with
students who keep kosher as well as many
others.
Student Chavivah Bluth created a mezu-
zah that adorns the HMD entrance. The
event was chaired by Elaine Driker and
sponsored by Talmer Bank and Telemus
Capital.
Home Away From Home
For students such as Rachel Miller, a
senior from West Bloomfield, Hillel pro-
vides a chance to be with other Jewish
students.
"I'm here all the time" she said. Initially
she knew a few people at Hillel, but soon
14 April 30 • 2015
met more and began to participate in
activities. Miller is vice president of the
Jewish Student Organization at Wayne, one
of five Jewish organizations on the WSU
campus.
Hannah Fine, a sophomore who lives
in Detroit, is a peer network engagement
intern for Hillel. She helps students find a
Jewish connection, especially those who
"maybe wouldn't have come through the
door without a little push" Fine also works
on Hillel's "Jewish in the D" activities that
attract students, young professionals and
community activists.
Hillel officials estimate that 300 of the
approximately 400 Jewish students at
Wayne participate with the organization in
some way. While activities promote Jewish
values, holidays and Israel, all are welcome
to participate, according to Margo Lazar,
Hillel's development director.
To HMD President Sidney Katz, who
spoke at the celebration, participation in
Hillel promotes "a strong, viable Jewish
community. Hillel is a home away from
home for Jewish students" He believes that
having a Jewish presence on campus is
increasingly important because of growing
anti-Semitism and support for divestment
from Israel.
Starkman described HMD as a "scrappy
Hillel" that does a lot with its resources,
serving students who are mainly com-
muters on six Detroit-area campuses. "We
have amazing relationships and partner-
ships," she said.
HMD supporters: Randle Levin, Cyril Moscow and Eugene
Above: Eric Fingerhut, president/CEO
of Hillel International, poses with some
HMD students in the newly renovated
space.
Dr. M. Roy Wilson, president of Wayne
State, spoke of the "Jewish community's
close and enduring relationship with the
university." In his travels around campus, he
has noticed that most of the names on uni-
versity buildings are those of Jewish donors.
Wilson expressed pride about the law
school's newest faculty member — Carl
Levin, who recently retired from the U.S.
Senate. He said that Eugene Driker, a
prominent lawyer and former member of
the WSU Board of Governors, will chair
HMD students: Aaron Delman, Mark Feldman and Aaron Rivkin.
Driker.
HMD At A Glance:
• Hillel of Metro Detroit was founded
in 1948 to connect Jewish students at
Wayne State University.
• HMD serves students at six
Detroit-area campuses: Lawrence
Technological University, Oakland
Community College, Oakland
University, University of Detroit Mercy,
University of Michigan-Dearborn and
Wayne State University.
• HMD involves more than 1,000
local Jewish students annually in social
get-togethers, community service, holi-
day and Israel celebrations, and Jewish
education programs.
• The HMD staff and headquarters
are based at the newly renovated Hillel
offices in the Wayne State Student
Center Building on the Gullen Mall.