for college students by college students Closer Look from page 117 Interfaith from page 117 Emotional Outpouring Aronoff opened the forum by speaking about current anti-Semitism in the world and the importance of this event. I spoke about my experience and then was followed by every student voluntarily coming up one-by-one and speaking in front of the group. Even my brother, Troy, an MSU freshman, shared an experience he had with his suite-mate. It was a very powerful program, and many students were brought to tears from reliving their own experience or hear- ing that of another's. Afterward, students filled out a quick survey I created to document the different ages and majors of students and what they had experienced. The most common form of anti-Semitism encountered by students of all ages and majors was "anti-Semitism from an individual:' which 11 of the 21 who filled out the survey selected. From the information gathered, it seems that most anti-Semitic instances happen in private conversations with peers where they can be played off as jokes, or else behind the security of computer screens where they can be sent anonymously. To our surprise, a lot of this was Holocaust-related — jokes about Auschwitz, jokes about Hitler leaving some Jews alive so people could know what it was all about. Less prevalent were examples involving faculty or administrative personnel concerning Israel and Gaza, or Israel and curriculum. In a few locations on cam- pus, selected faculty are biased against Israel or seek to exclude attention to the Jewish State from campus co-curricular events. Some students also shared a sense that the university (or the colleges of their ma- jors) were not as respectful and considerate toward Jewish holidays, as university policy demands, and refuse to give students leeway in missing classes. These are all very unfortunate events, but serve to teach us as a university what we can do in moving forward. Though the surveys and forum cannot speak for all Jews on campus, it reveals that my expe- rience was not isolated, and there are many Jews who have encountered similarities. Riley from the Office of Inclusion encouraged everyone there to report future incidents to their office and explained how accessible they are to talk to and file an investigation. Hopefully, students will feel more inclined to report anti-Semitism knowing there will be action taken by the university. Hughey and the professors at this forum met a few weeks ago at the Office of Inclusion to discuss report- ing mechanisms and further ideas. Now that there is a wider sense of the environ- ment on campus, I am seeking to coordinate another forum on anti-Semitism, but open to the entire university in order for the non-Jewish students to become more aware as well. Also, work is being done to ensure that anti-Semitism is included in diversity training around campus. The issue of anti-Semitism is renewed each generation and, though it may never be completely eradicated, it is just as important now as ever that we take steps to root it out and diminish its presence in our everyday lives and communities. @ In response to the Charlie Hebdo shooting in France, members of multiple faith-based student groups came together for an event called We Are One, which focused on the necessity of all religious groups finding unity in the face of acts of hatred against humanity. The interfaith dialogue continued at GVSU with events like Hummus Not Hate: Dialogue Not Debate, a ball pit for students to enjoy on the interfaith-focused Better Together Day. One of the most popular interfaith events at GVSU is an annual joint Shabbat dinner with Hillel and the Muslim Student Association. The event, called Avi Shabbat, is put on in memory of Avi Schaefer, a Jewish American who advocated for peace but was tragically killed in a car accident at age 21. "[These] events help people from different backgrounds come to understand each other by choosing to not only learn about similari- ties but also differences," said Amina Mohamed, a member of the Muslim Student Association. "By learning about those who are dif- ferent, we become more accepting. I've come to learn to have an open mind on the diversity of possibilities in terms of faith and non- faith practices." While there aren't many students at GVSU who are part of a reli- gious minority, those who are have found fulfillment participating in interfaith events and actively seek out opportunities to work together with other faiths. "All religions share common goals: to be better human beings and to help those around us," Miller said. "All religions must work together in order for the world to be healthy and truly function to its full potential. It's not just a single religion that has more power or weight than the others; we are all equal in our ability to serve this world and its citizens." @ Brad lsakson of Hartland is a junior at Michigan State Audra Gamble of Canton is a sophomore at Grand Valley State University and an intern in the Jewish Studies program. University. WELCOME TO WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY AIM HIGHER 118 May 21 • 2015 JN Wayne State is one of the nation's 50 largest public universities, with Michigan's most diverse student body. You'll feel a sense of belonging the moment you set foot on our campus.