November 5, 2009
18 Cheshvan 5770
Dear Friends,
As we move into the second half of fall semester a lot of exciting programming is occurring on all the campuses we serve. The purpose of this report is to share with you some sense of what students are experiencing as well as a number of the issues we are dealing with as an organization.
Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of discussion about the relationship of American Jews to Israel, whether it is as strong as it has been and what can be done about it. Examples of this include the issue of whether "J-Street", the new political action committee that states it is pro Israel pro peace (or does it?) is a good development or a troubling one and if the article by Jay Michaelson in "The Forward" titled "How I'm Losing My Love for Israel" is representative of a trend.
To me the fact that different perspectives are being presented should not be viewed as anything new or threatening. Multiple opinions have always been part of Jewish tradition. In fact I would argue that diversity makes us stronger and when we do not respect or tolerate different perspectives we are doing Judaism and the Jewish People a disservice. Of course there should be some consensus and on the issue of Israel it seems to me that this consensus is supporting Israel's right to thrive as a Jewish State with secure boundaries and at peace with her neighbors. Exactly where those boundaries are, what risks are needed for peace, and what Jewish State mean are all up for discussion and interpretation. As long as these discussions express the long term commitment to Israel and the Jewish People and are respectful, we will be better off for it.
Regarding Israel, we are also in better shape as a People because more young Jews are visiting her. As Harvey Siegel and I wrote in a recent letter to the editor to the Cleveland Jewish News the more people who have an Israel experience the richer we are as a community.
An interesting perspective on this can be seen from the Torah portion we read this Shabbat, Vayera. Two of the incidents that stand out in this week's portion are Avraham arguing with Gd to try and save the city of S'dom and Akedat Yitzchak (the binding of Isaac). We learn from the first that it is fine and even legitimate to have your perspective and keep to it as Avraham argued with Gd. Even though he lost the argument, he did not have to change his views. If the Torah teaches us we can disagree with Gd, then ...
The Akeda presents the dissonance that arises between doing what you think is right and keeping your beliefs and values. Did Avraham really want to sacrifice his son or did he feel he was forced to? If he did not want to, why did he not argue with Gd this time? If he did want to sacrifice him, what was his reasoning? I am not sure if there are always specific or satisfactory answers to these questions, but I do think that the narrative forces us to ask ourselves how we deal with situations where what we want and what we need to do are in conflict.
The Torah narrative provides for us the opportunity to learn and think about dealing with issues that have no simple answers. As a community and individually we are constantly faced with making decisions that are not between bad and good, but have many shades of gray. In the work we do with students we should not suggest to them that there is one right answer. There are complexities and our responsibility is to understand the issue better so we can come to an answer that is right for us. This perspective can help on all issues. On our relationship to Israel, it suggests that while we develop consensus about Israel's right to thrive as A Jewish State, exactly how that is done is a continuing discussion.
As always if you have comments, questions or requests, please be in touch with me at 216-231-0040 or gcoleman@clevelandhillel.org
Looking forward to hearing from you,
With Blessings,
Gary Coleman |
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Highlights of Recent Events
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Since my last update much programming has occurred. In addition to the activities listed below, there are weekly meetings for a variety of student groups both at Oberlin and in Cleveland including Zionists, Tzedek, Jewish learning, and leadership as well as events in the residential communities/dorms.
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Sukkot and Simchat Torah
The Holidays are always a time of special programming. Some of the ways students celebrated both in Cleveland and Oberlin included: 
- Subway in the Sukkah
- Tamir Goodman on his basketball and life journey
- Hookah in the Sukkah
- Holiday meals
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Simchat Torah celebration
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Shabbat
Shabbat is continually becoming a more vibrant part of our students' weekly lives. Some Friday nights multiple Shabbat dinners occur as besides the Shabbat services and meals at Case Western Reserve University and Oberlin College there are also Shabbat dinners at student and Hillel staff homes. Special Shabbat programming is scheduled for this coming Shabbat which is Family weekend both at Oberlin and CWRU.
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Israel
Some of the events included:
- Weekly Israeli Dancing at Oberlin
- Discussions of current politics in the Middle East
- An eight hour mini course: "Economics and an Arab-Israeli Peace" was sponsored by Oberlin Hillel and the Oberlin College Economics Department. It was taught by Professor Jonathan Lipow
- Israel trivia night at CWRU
- Israeli air force soldier talking about her experience
- Students participated in Friends of
 the IDF dinner in Cleveland
- Women's night with the shlichot at their apartment
- Israel photography exhibit at Museum of Contemporary Art
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Community Service/Social Justice and Multi cultural Multi Religious Programming
- Bake sale for sustainable energy
- Social justice Havdallah
- Preparing panels for Tents of Hope Darfur project
- Challa-ween - Students at CWRU bake Challah for residents of the Hebrew Shelter Home
- Bowling team for Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Fundraiser
- Discussion on medicine and multi culturalism - decoding Jewish patients
- Basketball as a bridge between Black and Jewish students at Cleveland State
- Preparing for Dance Marathon of Oberlin Hillel to raise money for the Lost Boys of Sudan including screening a movie about them
- Student panel discussion with the interreligious council at CSU presenting basic beliefs of different religions
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Graduate Students
- Sukkot party for graduate and professional students at a student's apartment
- Shabbat dinner at apartment of dental student
- Ongoing meetings with law and medical student groups
- Planning for increased social programming and coordinating events with other Cleveland area Jewish groups serving young adults
- Preparing special event for graduate students in health fields and alumni at MOCA
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Annual Report
Our 2008-09 annual report (programming from summer of 2008 to summer of 2009) was mailed earlier this week. If you want to make sure you are receiving a copy please send your address to gcoleman@clevelandhillel.org You can read the report at our web site and click on 2008-09 annual report. The best way to view the report is to click on View in the tool box, scroll to page display, and check the Two-Up option.
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Miscellaneous
Two exciting initiatives we are involved in are:
1) Working with Case Western Reserve University to increase the recruitment of Jewish undergraduate students to the university
2) Developing a birthright trip for May 2010 which will be open to both students and young adults studying in Cleveland or Clevelanders studying at universities anywhere.
Planning for the 2010 Summer Internship Program is already underway. Students can already apply by going to our web site. Businesses or non profits interested in placing an intern can contact Ilana Shafran Mandel at ishafran@clevelandhillel.org
A list of our board members can be found by clicking here and a list of staff can be found here.
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Fundraising
A wonderful opportunity to serve the needs of our students is to sponsor a Shabbat dinner or Holiday meal. We will be placing an ad in the Cleveland Jewish News at the end of the academic year to thank the sponsors. If you are interested in the possibility of sponsoring a Shabbat dinner or other sponsorship opportunities please contact Harriet Mann at hmann@clevelandhillel.org. A full list of sponsorship opportunities is available here.
Besides sponsorship opportunities we ask that you consider making a contribution to Cleveland Hillel either by going on line here
Or mailing a check to
CLEVELAND HILLEL FOUNDATION INC
11291 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland,OH 44106
It will enable us to continue to bring quality programs to the students at the universities we serve and assure a brighter Jewish future
For more information on Cleveland Hillel Foundation check out our web site www.clevelandhillel.org |
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