28 March 21 • 2019
jn
Fighting Anti-Semitism
New regent Jordan Acker is intent on improving
U-M’
s campus relations.
I
n 2016, Jordan Acker was playing
basketball when he became very
ill. His liver was shutting down,
but doctors couldn’
t determine the
exact problem. His condition even-
tually landed him at the University
of Michigan Hospital,
where he received stellar
medical treatment that
put him back on the
road to recovery.
Once healed, Acker,
of the Goodman Acker
Law firm in Southfield,
was inspired to give back and to con-
tribute to the political landscape. He
figured U-M, his alma mater, was a
good place to start. Three years later,
he’
s a newly elected regent at the uni-
versity that saved his life.
With 6,700 Jewish students, U-M
has robust Jewish representation and
an incredibly rich Jewish life, he says.
Additionally, the U-M Hillel, founded
in the 1920s, continues to be among
the best. Jewish students add to the
diversity of the campus; however,
Jewish students are not completely free
of the threat of anti-Semitism.
“Because, yes, there are flaws,
” Acker
says. “For a lot of students, [the uni-
versity] might be the first place they
encounter anti-Semitism. And this will
be part of their adult lives. But there’
s
really no better place to go from being
a Jewish high schooler to a Jewish
adult. There’
s a support network here
that’
s second to none.
”
As Acker sees it, the university pro-
vides a fertile ground for those who
experience discrimination to learn
how to effectively handle it. And the
Board of Regents plays a crucial role
in this by enacting policies to fight dis-
crimination and inequality on campus.
Several years ago, it enacted Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion (DEI) to bolster
student awareness around issues like
anti-Semitism.
This was one reason Acker was
moved to run for regent. The Board of
Regents has traditionally been occu-
pied by those with a few more years
under their belts than Acker. He was
constantly told, “Young people don’
t
run for regents.
”
Acker was certain the board could
benefit from a different generational
viewpoint, so he went into full hustle
mode, performing as a lawyer during
the day, then spending his evenings
and weekends meeting people all over
the state. He visited more than 50
counties and tallied more than 35,000
miles on his car to win the Democratic
nomination.
Acker was sworn in Jan. 1. Along
with the challenges the board faces in
building awareness around anti-Sem-
itism and other forms of discrimina-
tion, it also continues to take a stand
against the BDS (Boycott, Divestment,
Sanctions) movement.
“BDS comes and goes in waves,
”
Acker says. “It’
s certainly something
that has picked up steam in the last few
years.
”
As a Zionist, liberal and progressive,
Acker regards BDS as counterproduc-
tive. In its one-pointed focus, it does
nothing to promote peace and work
toward cooperation, he says. At its
worst, it is considered anti-Semitic.
“With the changeover in the board,
the line against BDS is maintained,
”
Acker says. “This is the biggest thing
we can do to lessen anti-Semitism.
”
He credits university President Mark
Schlissel and Provost Martin Philbert
for striking a balance between the
academic freedom of students and
professors with the rights of groups on
campus.
The board also continues to make
it clear that boycotts of Israeli institu-
tions have no support in the university
administration.
“Divestment makes no sense,
”
Acker says. “The university has a
fiduciary responsibility to the people
of Michigan. The people have made it
clear they want the university’
s invest-
ments protected and are in support of
the state of Israel.
”
The anti-BDS stance is a regent-
approved policy and one which Acker
and the board intend to keep moving
forward. ■
jews d
in
the
STEPH RUOPP SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Jordan Acker
COURTESY OF THE MICHIGAN
ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE
PHOTO CREDIT JERRY ZOLYNSKY
To shine the public spotlight on young people in our
community, the JN, the Jewish Community Center and the
Youth Professionals Network created Rising Stars: Teens
Making a Difference, a showcase that will highlight 18
remarkable Jewish pre-teens and teens in the Metro Detroit
area. Those selected will be featured in an issue of the JN
and will also be recognized on the JN, JCC and JFamily social
media pages.
Nominees must live in Michigan, identify as Jewish and be
students in grades 6-12; they can be self-nominated or may
be nominated by others today through March 30.
Nominees should be recognized for impact, contribution
and/or achievement in areas including (but not limited) to:
Seeking
Terrific Teens!
To nominate yourself or a teen you know, go to
thejewishnews.com and click on the Rising Stars button
or to jccdet.org/RisingStars. The deadline is March 30.