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

