By Gary Coleman

Special to the CJN

As the agency responsible for ensuring the welfare of Jewish students in area colleges and universities, the Cleveland Hillel Foundation is focused on ensuring that all students - regardless of background or ideology - have the opportunity to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity.

We were therefore surprised to read Dani Horwitz’s recent op-ed ( “We need to stand up to anti-Israel speakers,” CJN, March 13) taking us to task for our apparent lack of pro-Israel activism.

We view Israel not just as an object for advocacy and philanthropy, but as the wellspring of our Jewish identity. Israel is a tangible part of daily life in our Hillel programs because Israel can spur and reinforce a student’s Jewish identity.

When (Israel-basher) Norman Finkelstein was invited to Case Western Reserve University by Prof. Alice Bach, we informed top university administrators of our concerns about his speaking on campus. Very few students knew about his talk. We did encourage and prepare several Hillel activists to attend the lecture, however, to challenge Finkelstein’s theories.

Israel’s operation in Gaza in December raised the possibility of anti-Israel activity once classes resumed after the semester break. The staff both in Cleveland and Oberlin worked with our university and college colleagues to develop respectful and open dialogues on campus regarding Israel and Gaza.

We emphasized Israel’s right to protect her citizens from constant missile attacks and the need to minimize casualties on both sides. When students returned to CWRU, we helped organize a number of forums where the issues were discussed. This resulted in Jewish and Muslim students sending a letter to the editor of the CWRU student paper titled “Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Requires Dialogue.”

In February, we hosted two Israeli academics who spoke both at CWRU and Cleveland State University. Professor Sam Lehman-Wilzig of Bar Ilan University spoke to Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA) groups at both law schools. Dr. Michael Oren of Israel’s Shalem Center spoke to 175 students and community members at Hillel and over 50 faculty and students at Cleveland State University. He led a discussion at CWRU for more than 60 faculty and students.

Cleveland Hillel will continue to speak out for Israel as we enrich the lives of Jewish college students. We will work with students and administrators to ensure that young people on all Cleveland area campuses continue to develop Jewishly as they grow intellectually and professionally.

Gary Coleman Ed.D. is the executive director of the Cleveland Hillel Foundation.