for college students by college students
At Home
One girl's journey back to Jewish Detroit.
Ronit Weinmann } jewish@edu writer
G
rowing up in Metro Detroit, I never
gave much thought to the impor-
My first field placement was at Jewish Family
Israel being a
Service. After JFS, I participated in the JOIN
religious state
tance Judaism served in my life. I
attended a Zionist summer camp for almost a
program and was placed at Kadima, a Jewish
mental health agency in Southfield. I was able
versus a secu-
lar state. Can
decade, I was involved in my temple and my
social circle was Jewish. In college, I was the
to interact with members of the Jewish com-
munity I would not have otherwise. I thought it
they go hand
in hand or are
first Jewish person my friends met. I had to
explain Judaism not only to my new friends, but
was time I participated in Birthright.
When I returned from Israel, I was on such
they oppos-
ing ideas? We discussed at great depths the
tion to allow me to be an active participant in
I also had to figure out what Judaism meant
to me.
a high. I wanted to learn as much as I could
about Israel, and I didn't want my connection to
fact that on Shabbat in the big cities in Israel,
businesses shut down as well as public trans-
the discourse surrounding Israel.
Each of the experiences has helped me
After college, to regain a connection, I partic-
Ronit Weinmann, right, with her best friend,
Hannah Heavenrich, in Israel
Israel to fade.
portation. However, what if one doesn't practice
answer the question, what does being Jewish
ipated in Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps, an
Americorps program. During my year in Avodah,
The Hillel of Metro Detroit (HMD) Israel
Fellowship program provided me the opportuni-
Judaism and abide by the laws or if one prac-
tices their Judaism in an unconventional way?
mean to me? The beautiful thing is the answer
can always be evolving. As I grow, mature and
I never felt more connected with my faith,
finally beginning to answer my question from
ty. During the 10-week program, I met Jews my
age and also leaders in the Detroit community.
My favorite aspect of Judaism is no one can
dictate how I connect with my faith. However, if
find my niche, so does my faith. For now, it is at
the forefront and the Detroit Jewish community
college: What does Judaism mean to me?
As I moved back to Detroit and entered
Each week, we heard a lecture from a leader in
the Jewish community. We learned the history
I lived in Israel I feel I wouldn't have the same
liberty. This discussion created a huge debate
has opened many doors and opportunities for
me. @
Wayne State University graduate school for
of Israel, the army from an Israeli perspective,
among my peers and me, and today this topic
social work, I was excited to reconnect with the
Jewish community. Little did I know my career
goals would merge with my faith many times.
the vast array of startups, Israeli politics and
Zionism.
A topic that sparked my interest was about
elicits a great deal of debate when I bring it up.
The HMD Fellowship strengthened my con-
nection with Israel and provided me the educa-
Ronit Weinmann of Huntington Woods gradu-
ated in May from Wayne State University with
her master's in social work.
WELCOME TO WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
AIM HIGHER
We come from every state and more than 60 countries, forming Michigan's most
diverse student body and helping reinvent a great American city. Our 200-acre
campus in the heart of Detroit is home to a vibrant mix of identities, ideas and
opportunities you won't find anywhere else in the world. See for yourself.
Schedule a campus tour at wayne.edu/visit.
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JN
August 20 • 2015
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