JANUARY 4 • 2024 | 9
J
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SU Chabad honored 
four Jewish student 
leaders on the fourth 
night of Chanukah during its 
annual Giant Menorah Lighting 
at the Spartan Statue. The four 
students — leaders in Greek life — 
were honored for their commit-
ment to standing in solidarity with 
Israel and promoting a safe Jewish 
campus. Each honoree lit one oil 
lamp to commemorate their com-
mitment to bringing light to MSU 
in a time of darkness. 
“This Chanukah, we celebrated 
and honored our lamplighters at 

MSU. Our remarkable students, 
true lamplighters, were the ones 
who lit the candles. Guided by 
our Shamash, President Teresa 
Woodruff, their light and lead-
ership continuously brighten 
Michigan State,
” said MSU 
Chabad Rebbetzin Simi Shemtov. 
 The MSU Chabad honor-
ees included sophomore Alpha 
Epsilon Pi President Benjamin 
Garfield, junior Sigma Delta Tau 
President Ellie Weiss, and seniors 
Sigma Alpha Mu (“Sammy”)
Graham Schulte and Andrew 
Shulman.

Since the Hamas Oct. 7 attack 
at the Gaza-Israel border, college 
campuses like Michigan State 
University have become a confus-
ing and difficult place for Jewish 
students fighting an uphill battle 
against antisemitism. 
Garfield and MSU AEPi are 
taking a public stand against hate 
on campus. He said the Israeli 
flag has been ripped down count-
less times at the MSU AEPi house 
but “we proudly raised it again.” 
Garfield said following the 
Hamas attacks, the brothers of 
MSU AEPi successfully raised 
$20,000 for United Hatzalah 
during their annual Pi Bowl 
Flag football philanthropy in 
October. 
“
As the president of the only 
Jewish fraternity on campus, I’m 
proud to say that our 135 broth-
ers, whether Jewish or not, stand 
for peace for the Jewish people 
and all. Our fraternity stands in 
solidarity with Israel and is com-
mitted to promoting a positive 
atmosphere for our community.
”
At MSU SDT, Chapter President 
Ellie Weiss said she is taking a 
step to first ensure the safety and 
well-being of the diverse SDT 
membership, “including many 
Jewish sisters. It’s crucial that SDT 
remains a secure space for every-
one. Over the past two months, 
we’ve organized multiple sister-
hood events to foster connections, 
provide a safe environment and 
establish a robust support sys-
tem. Our open discussions after 
chapter meetings allow sisters to 

freely express their thoughts and 
feelings. As a chapter founded by 
seven Jewish women who faced 
discrimination, we take pride in 
our history and strive to maintain 
a strong support system at SDT.
” 
Senior Sammy Graham 
Schulte said, “Since Oct. 7, MSU 
Sammy proudly displayed Jewish 
pride by putting up a mezuzah 
and increased our attendance at 
Jewish events showcasing our 
commitment. The chapter orga-
nized an event addressing stu-
dent mental health, participated 
in summits against antisemitism 
and hate, and publicly spoke 
out in support of Israel’s right 
to exist as a Jewish state to the 
MSU student body. Brothers 
also traveled to DTW to warm-
ly greet and support incoming 
survivors of the events on Oct. 7, 
offering gifts to welcome them 
to Michigan.” 
Chabad Co-President Andrew 
Schulman said, “I’m deeply grate-
ful and proud of our community, 
globally and here at MSU. I’ve 
never seen us stronger and hope 
that as we persist through this 
difficult time, we will rise from the 
dark with more light than ever. 
“In our MSU Chabad commu-
nity, we have heightened our com-
mitment to fostering Jewish pride. 
This includes installing more 
mezuzahs, more Tefillin wrapping, 
more Shabbat candle lighting and 
organizing diverse Jewish pride 
events. Now more than ever, stu-
dents are displaying their unwav-
ering Jewish pride.
” 

Jewish Spartans 
Light the Way

Student leaders in Greek life honored at 
MSU’s Giant Menorah Lighting.

BRIAN GOLDSMITH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

OUR COMMUNITY

BELOW: The Giant Menorah shin-
ing brightly next to Sparty.
MIDDLE: Leaders in Greek 
life at MSU were the Menorah 
lamplighters.
RIGHT: A dancing dreidel added 
to the festivities.

MSU FRESHMAN KAYLA LOZON

