46 | NOVEMBER 17 • 2022 

T

he Wayne State School 
of Medicine cultural 
organizations got together 
to celebrate their rich cultures and 
diversity during the Multicultural 
Fundraiser on Oct. 10. The Jewish 
Medical Student Association 
(JMSA) was happy to be one of 
the participating organizations, 
along with the World Health 
Student Organization, Black 
Medical Association, Latino 
Medical Student Association, Asian Pacific 
American Medical Student Association, 
Islamic Medical Student Association, 
American Association of Physicians of Indian 
Origin and the National Arab American 
Medical Association. 
The cultural organizations partnered with 
482Forward to raise more than $500 during 
the fundraiser. 482Forward is an organization 
of parents, students, educators and community 
members working toward ensuring that 

Detroit children have access to 
a quality education regardless of 
their race or socioeconomic status.
During the event, each group 
had a presentation to talk 
about their culture, as well as a 
performance and a fashion show 
used to highlight their culture’s 
traditions. Since the event was 
taking place on Sukkot, the 
JMSA decided to educate all the 
participants about the holiday and 
explained the significance of the lulav and 
etrog. 
For the fashion show, JMSA members 
modeled outfits inspired by the traditions 
we participate in during the Jewish 
holidays, including Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, 
Chanukkah, Shavuot and Purim. For the 
performance, the JMSA wanted to bring all the 
participants together, so we taught everyone 
how to dance the Hora. It was a fun night.
The event was amazing. It was great to come 
together as one community and celebrate our 
differences. Everyone was receptive to learning 
about one another’s cultures. Teaching the 
Hora was my favorite part because it got 
everyone in the room involved. At the end of 
the night, people came up to me saying how 
much they enjoyed learning and dancing the 
Hora. 
Josh Kirschner, M2 WSU Medical Student, 
said, “It was such a fun experience to share 
some elements of the Jewish culture with my 
fellow classmates. We are all often so divided, 
so to come together and be able to appreciate 
one another’s culture and identity was a special 
occasion. Seeing everyone get excited and 
having fun during the Hora was such a joy and 
was a big highlight of the night for me.
” 
It was a great night, and JMSA can’t wait to 
participate in another cultural night. @

Madison Graifman is a Wayne State Medical Student and 

JMSA president.

Jewish Medical Student Association shares 
Jewish culture in multicultural fundraiser.
Jewish Model Walk

Madison Graifman } jewish@edu writer

for college students 
by college students

Madison 
Graifman, M2 
Wayne State 
School of 
Medicine

Carly Abrahams, 
M1 Wayne 
State School of 
Medicine

Madison 
Graifman at a 
table showcasing 
Jewish items

Josh Kirschner, 
M2 Wayne 
State School of 
Medicine 

Madison Graifman

