Renovated Hillel at WSU is cause for celebration. Shari S. Cohen I Special to the Jewish News CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 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 Hillel has been housed at Wayne's Student Center since it opened in 1969, and the space had become somewhat outdated.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.