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.