Pro-Israel Rally

A message from the WMU Hillel President

On October 16, Jeff Halper will be speaking on campus, he is the co-founder of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD). Don’t let such an unassuming name fool you. Halper’s motives are sure to go beyond his NGO’s namesake.

Why It’s Important
As the President of the WMU Hillel, Western Michigan Universities Jewish student organization, we have received concern from faculty and community members about what Halper stands for. Though an Israeli he may very well be preparing to spread an anti-Israel message.

The European Union recently turned down ICAHD’s request for funding because of the organizations failure to comply with the EU’s policies. With lose of funding, it is clear that Halper is making a run around the states trying to bolster his press starved NGO.

Halper also supports a single state solution. While the most that seek a realistic peaceful solution support a two state solution. His opposition to a two state solution and anit-Israel rhetoric works against building peace between Israel and her neighbors.

Why Support Israel
Israel contributes to the world in significant and productive ways. Twenty percent of the work force in Israel is university graduates and it’s universities top researches develop technology that is used throughout the world.

Multinational companies recognize this talent and have established research and development facilities in Israel. Companies of which include Microsoft, Motorola and Intel.

As the only democratic state in the region, Israel has proven to be a very strong ally to the United States.

Israel is the largest trading partner the US has in the Middle East. With many Israeli companies traded on both the Tel-Aviv stock exchange and U.S. exchanges.

I have not even touched on the amazing culture of Israel yet. To start, as most know, Israel has significant landmarks to many religions; The Temple mount (Dome of the Rock), Kotel (Western Wall), historic churches, the cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem just to name a few.

Actually, virtually every where you go in the country has some sort of significance to one group or another that is a direct reference form biblical days.

There’s a thriving artist community in Tzfat that ranges from Kabbalah inspired ultra-contemporary to crafty tourist gifts. The geography of the land in the Golan Heights produces some of the highest quality wine in the World and you can go clubbing in Tel Aviv with nightlife that rivals that of LA or NYC.

Our Responsibility
I encourage you to attend this talk, at 7 pm October 16 in 1035 Fetzer Center, because it is part of our academic commitment to critically listen and welcome friend and foe to share in our community. I also encourage you to join a group that will be gathering the hour before at 6 pm by the flagpoles in support of Israel.

Sincerely,

Jay Pliskow
WMU Hillel President

Simchat Torah Ice Cream Social at COM

October 21 – 7:00 PM

Join the Congregation of Moses and fellow college students from WMU and Kalamazoo College for Simchat Torah and an Ice Cream Social.

Shabbat Dinner at COM

October 17 – 6:00 PM

Congregation of Moses, just down the road on Stadium Dr., has invited us college students to their monthly Shabbat dinner. It is this Friday, October 17 at 6:00pm, and all you need to do is RSVP with your name and number of guests by Wednesday (send an email RSVP to kazoohillel@yahoo.com) so they know how many to prepare for.

Apple Picking

October 19 – 1:45 PM

Celebrate Sukkot and enjoy a fall afternoon outside at a local Apple Orchard. We’ll be meeting in the Bernhard Center main floor by the couches at 1:45 PM and organizing rides to head out to the orchard. Then spending the afternoon at Gull Meadow farms picking apples, drinking cider and eating donuts.

The Secret to Happiness

November 9 – 6:00-8:00 PM, Bernhard Center President’s Dinning Room

The key to happiness is to appreciate what you have. Sounds simple. So why are so many people unhappy?  Humanity’s greatest thinkers have been searching for the secret to happiness for centuries.  Harvard’s most popular course – Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness – claims to have discovered the secret.  By exploring this exciting new concept, along with 3500 years of Jewish wisdom and kabalistic insights, you’ll learn actual tools for getting the happiness – real, deep and meaningful happiness – you want and deserve. 

Jeff Surowitz of the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit returns to lead the exciting discussion.  Sunday, November 9; 6 – 8 pm.  Free pizza dinner for those who RSVP by Friday. No charge.

Pro-Israeli Rally

October 16 – 6:00 PM

Jeff Halper, will be giving a talk during Peace Week at WMU. Mr. Halper is an Israeli Jew that is billed to talk about the “Israeli Occupation authorities.”

Our concern is that Mr. Halper, though Jewish and Israeli, has another agenda that is Anti-Israel.

Hillel is organizing a Pro-Israeli Rally to gather at 6:00 pm by the flag poles and will then head to the talk held in the Fetzer center at 7:00 pm. The plan is to meet and talk about how we love and support Israel, then listen to Mr. Halper’s talk, then civilly raise contention to Anti-Israel speech.

Jewish Book Fair in K-zoo

November 9 – 11:00 – 4:00 PM

The Kalamazoo Jewish Book Fair will be held at the historic Ladies Library Association (333 S. Park Avenue) and will feature a couple of speakers. See the flyer here for more details.

Holocaust Survivor to speak at WMU

October 28 – 8:00 PM

Arnost Lustig novelist and holocaust survivor will speak as part of the Frostic Reading Series. The event is held in Little Theatre on WMU’s east campus at 8:00 PM.

Shabbat Dinner at WMU Nov. 7

November 7 – 7:00 PM

Come hang out with the Jewish student body of WMU and enjoy a delicious Shabbat dinner!

The dinner will be held on campus, in the Kanley Chapel social room, located in the basement. We are ordering in kosher food from the Chabad in Grand Rapids. Think home cooked and delicious for this one!

This event is 100% free.