Annual Tribute Gala

Student Life: Jewish Student Union

The Jewish Student Union (JSU) at Michigan State University is one of the largest student government-funded organizations on campus. Hillel (a non-university organization) and the JSU have a superior working relationship and join forces to create an energetic Jewish presence on campus.

The primary objective of the Jewish Student Union is to provide Jewish students with opportunities to explore their cultural and ethnic experiences. The JSU has many different umbrella groups that have regular and free programs open to the entire student body, faculty and staff at MSU. The JSU annually sponsors Welcome Week Events, Israel Fest, concerts, and many other programs that encompass all aspects of Jewish culture.

The goal of the JSU is to provide a wide variety of programming that caters to the interests of Jewish students and provide opportunities to explore Jewish cultural and ethnic diversity at Michigan State University. The JSU serves as the umbrella organization that supports the programs of a multitude of social, cultural and religious groups. It is co-sponsored and funded by the Associated Students of Michigan State University and the Lester J. Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center.

JSU Student Board:

Ricky Kamil
Co-President
kamilfre@msu.edu

Abbey Askotzky
Co-President
askotzky@msu.edu

Jaclyn Wolok
Vice President of Programming
wolokjac@msu.edu

Matt Wechsler
Vice President of Internal Relations
wechsle2@msu.edu

Jackie Dunayevich
Vice President of Public Relations
dunayevi@msu.edu

Ashley Schwartz
Secretary
schwa253@msu.edu

Jamie Schare
ASMSU Academic Assemby
schareja@msu.edu

Brad Gershel
ASMSU Student Assembly
gershelb@msu.edu

Dan Kuhn
ASMSU Programming Board
kuhndan1@msu.edu

Stefani Greenspan
RHA Representative
greensp9@msu.ed

Josh Sattler
RHA Representative
sattler8@msu.edu

Jewish Business Association

The Jewish Business Association provides social, cultural and networking opportunities for Jewish business students. The club aims to bring its members together with other Jewish students on campus as well as serve as an educational resource for the greater business school community.

For more information, contact Ryan Landau at landaury@msu.edu.

Jews In Greek Life

Jews In Greek Life (JIGL) is a student group that works closely with Hillel staff to bring together Jewish students who belong to the MSU Fraternity and Sorority community. JIGL hosts many programs and leadership opportunities including a back-to-school mixer at Pizza House, networking and internship opportunities, and a Hookah night. JIGL plans and organizes events where Jewish members, of all Greek organizations, have an opportunity to participate in Jewish events within the Greek system on campus.

For more information, contact Aaron Schare at schareaa@msu.edu.

Jewish Women’s Forum

The Jewish Women’s Forum provides programming for women to gather, study, learn, discuss, and celebrate themselves. With programs such as Chinese, Sex & the City, Feeding the Soul: The Jewish Perspective on Body Image and nationally recognized speakers, the Jewish Women’s Forum strives to address issues confronting Jewish women today.

For more information, contact Hilary Greenberg at greenb56@msu.edu.

Kesher

Kesher is the Union for Reform Judaism’s college movement. Kesher at MSU provides programming that educates students on the importance of pluralism within the Jewish student community. Kesher conducts the Reform services on Friday nights at Hillel and organizes social programs for reform students.

For more information, contact Ricky Kamil at kamilfre@msu.edu or Keith Schonberger at schonbe5@msu.edu.

Koach

Koach is the Conservative movement college program on campus. Koach provides a wide range of programs geared toward the values of the Conservative movement. Programming events include Sushi in the Sukkah, a Passover Chocolate Sedar and many other exciting programs. Koach conducts the Conservative services on Friday nights at Hillel, as well as social and educational programs for conservative students.

For more information, contact Ilana Ostro at ostroila@msu.edu.

Mishpocha

Mishpocha is the Jewish LGBT group at MSU. Mishpocha provides a relaxed atmosphere where transsexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay and queer people from a wide spectrum of Jewish backgrounds can feel comfortable. Mishpocha does joint programming, including movie nights and Pride Week events, with the LGBT office at MSU. Mishpocha also sponsors guest speakers to lead discussions on topics that affect the LBGT community at Michigan State.

For more information, contact Danny Herriges at herriges@msu.edu.

Spartans For Israel

Spartan For Israel (SFI) is Michigan State University’s pro-Israel advocacy group. SFI strives to educate, inform and engage students, faculty members and the MSU community at large about a multitude of Israel related issues. SFI coordinates social, educational and political events. Spartans For Israel sheds light on both the current conflict in the Middle East as well as additional Israel-related topics.

For more information, contact Eric Dropkin dropkiner@msu.edu.

Tzedek

This social justice student group is based on the Jewish values of tzedakah and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Tzedek provides opportunities to interact with speakers, perform community service projects, and advocate for issues. This group is designed to educate students in order to transform the culture of campus and the greater community.

For more information, contact Eric Dropkin at dropkine@msu.edu.

Interns

Hilllel offers one-year internships for outstanding college students at the Michigan State University. Interns gain a unique opportunity to affect many aspects of Jewish campus life while receiving an excellent professional and learning experience. Hillel offers five distinct opportunities for students to serves as interns. Hillel interns will be responsible for coordinating, organizing and executing programming in their specific program area.

An ideal intern will be a student active in campus life with strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to Hillel and Jewish life on campus and a strong desire to develop programming for campus. Interns will work closely with a Hillel professional as their supervisor. The Hillel professional and intern will decide on appropriate hours for the internship. Listed below are brief descriptions of each internship position.

Graphics Intern

Graphic Interns are expected to produce publicity tools to advertise Hillel’s events. These tools include, but are not limited to, the Hillel calendar, fliers, event invitations, etc. All projects are assigned and overseen by Hillel staff.

Greek Outreach Intern

Greek Outreach Interns will utilize their campus leadership experience and understanding of current student interests. Greek Outreach Interns will create relationships and opportunities that afford Jewish Greek college students the chance to connect to their Jewish community and Jewish identity on their own terms.

Grinspoon Israel Advocacy Intern

Grinspoon Interns aim to enhance Israel’s image and educate campus communities throughout North America to be more knowledgeable about and supportive of the State of Israel. The Grinspoon Interns influence their campuses by connecting students to Israeli culture, history, and politics while enabling students to recognize the unique role that Israel plays in their lives.

Jewish Life Liaison

Jewish Life Liaisons focus their efforts on Jewish students who do not actively participate in Jewish life on campus, and spend much of their time where the students are: campus dorms, student unions, Greek houses, basketball games, dining halls, etc. Jewish Life Liaisons connect Jewish students to provoking, relevant and often new entry points to a meaningful Jewish experience on campus and beyond.

Koach Intern

Koach Interns create exciting campus-based Conservative programs, receive training and craft a national agenda. Each Intern will be expected to work a program for the Conservative (and/or religious life) community on campus. The Koach Intern is supported by a National Koach field organizer and a Hillel staff member. Koach Interns work to enhance their Conservative community at Michigan State University

How to Get Involved

If you're interested in getting involved, join our mailing list and register your areas of interest, or call 517.332.1916.