20 | DECEMBER 14 • 2023
“While it would be great to
have a march and put posters
up, we don’t want to ignite that
flame,
” Zivian said. “It’s not set
in stone, but as of right now,
we’re keeping our heads down
in that department.
”
Caruso’s reasoning somewhat
differs. “I wouldn’t organize a
pro-Israel march on my cam-
pus, personally, just because I
struggle to support, unequiv-
ocally, everything that Israel is
doing right now,
” Caruso said.
“I’m not ashamed to be sup-
portive of Israel, I do support
Israel. And I’m proud of that.
But, at the same time, it’s also
hard if you’re putting on a rally,
in my opinion, because it’s hard
to unequivocally get behind
everything right now.
”
SUPPORT & JEWISH PRIDE
While trust in many of the uni-
versity’s student governments
has wavered, and the level of
support for Jews on campus
from leaders and faculty differ-
entiate from campus to cam-
pus, the support from Hillel,
Chabad and countless other
Jewish organizations on college
campuses has been unwavering.
It’s that support that breeds
connection in a time many Jews
would otherwise feel alone, and
inspires a feeling of not wanting
to cower — but instead display
one’s Jewish pride.
HMD at WSU has been
offering weekly sessions with
Professor Howard Lupovitch,
director of the Cohn-Haddow
Center for Judaic Studies, who
has made himself available to
students to answer any ques-
tions, and provide knowledge
and perspective to better
understand the context and
nuance of the conflict. Rabbi
Michelle Faudem has been
available for students, as has
a social worker for those who
need support.
A heightened police presence
has been seen at many of the
campus Hillels. Students have
been offered escorts between
classes if they feel uncomfort-
able.
“We’re trying to address our
students’ needs on an educa-
tional level, on a social-anxiety
level, and then on a security
level, all at the same time,
” said
Starkman, HMD’s executive
director since 1992.
A forum took place at WSU
on Oct. 19 with Lupovitch and
another faculty member, Saeed
Khan, an associate professor in
TOP: WSU students Jacob
Rond, Maya Siegmann, Emily
Goldvekht, Jared Pazner, Stella
Skolnik, Kaitlyn Arnston and
B Goldman attended the WSU
Student Senate meeting on
Nov. 2. ABOVE: WSU students
Ellen Pierce and Kathryn
Mueller participate in a challah
bake event inside the Hillel of
Metro Detroit lounge.
LEFT: Professor Howard
Lupovitch leading one of his
weekly sessions with Jewish
students inside the Hillel of
Metro Detroit lounge at WSU.
20 | DECEMBER 14 • 2023
OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
continued from page 18