WMU Alumnus to Compete in Maccabi Games

Chad Mahakian, a recent WMU graduate, will be competing this summer at the Maccabi games in Israel on the US team. If you did not catch the article in the Herald in print this week you can read it online here. Mazal Tov to Chad!

Israel 101

February 2 – 7:00 PM – Bernhard Center rm 210

Hillel @ WMU is excited to bring Brett Cohen of StandWithUs to present Israel 101! Israel 101 is a presentation that covers the history of the Jewish people, the creation of the modern State of Israel, the present problems Israel faces, and the bright future ahead.

Israel 101 is a “Must-See” for anyone who is interested in the people, culture, history, politics, and technology of Israel.

This event will have refreshments and is 100% free! All are welcome and encouraged to come!

Taglit-Birthright Israel Info Night

January 28 – 7:00 PM – Bernhard Center rm 207

There will be an information session about Taglit-Birthright Israel on January 28 at 7:00 PM in rm 207 of the Bernahard Center. We’ll go over the process of registration for the trip and answer the questions you may have about what this amazing gift is all about.

In the meantime check out the info page.

Welcome Back

Welcome back for another great semester. Hillel is excited to offer new events to support our efforts to serve you in your Jewish life on campus and beyond.

To kick off the semester we want to get to know you better and will be hosting coffee nights around town, on and off campus. We’ll cover your drink and have information about Hillel, Taglit-Birthright Israel, and a it will be a low key way to meet other Jews at WMU.

You read that right, information on Taglit-Birthright Israel. It’s a free 10 day trip to Israel and Jay Pliskow (jay.m.pliskow@wmich.edu) is recruiting a group of WMU student to go this summer. More information to come soon, in the mean time join the Facebook group to see who else wants to go with you.

The Spring 2009 calendar will be out soon so check back and see what we have in store.

Happy Finals Week

The WMU Hillel wishes you best of luck on your finals and a very Happy Hanukah. Look out nest semester for upcoming events and information on joining WMU students on a free trip to Israel with Taglit-Brthright Israel this summer. We hope you have a safe and exciting break!

Taglit-Birthright Israel

Taglit-Birthright Israel is a free 10 day trip to Israel and we are planning to send a group of WMU students together on this once in a life time experience. If you are interested in going email (kazoohillel@yahoo.com) letting us know you want to go. Registration will open in the first week of February in 2009. So start talking with your parents now and if you have quesiotns let us know.

The Journey of Ethiopian Jewry

November 17 – 7:30 Bernhard Center room 210

Come hear Zion Uness tell his amazing story about how he made his way to Israel as part of Operation Moses. Zion Uness was born in 1977 in Ethiopia, and immigrated to Israel at the age of 7. He served in the infantry of the IDF and subsequently received a degree in occupational therapy from the University of Haifa. Since that time he has worked to improve Ethiopian–Israeli education and community life, and has spoken widely at Jewish community centers, film festivals, and universities about Ethiopian Jewry.

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