The Tanach (Hebrew Bible) is replete with story after story of individuals whose faith in God and commitment to His instructions are tested. Though each character's experience varies, they all have one theme in common. The demonstration of faith and commitment is expressed through encountering a challenge.

Our political, religious and ethical convictions are theoretical until we are presented with an opportunity to actualize them. Sometimes those opportunities are commonplace and tranquil like a political election. We express our political beliefs by voting for candidates. Though we may have to wrestle with determining the advantages and disadvantages of each candidate, we make those choices and express our convictions without confronting threats to our personal safety. The story of our people, however, whether in the past several months and as recently as yesterday, or as far back as our Biblical ancestors, has been a narrative filled with hostile challenges.

If you were a Parisian last week, an American during 9/11, or an Israeli in the midst of experiencing devastating loss, how would you respond? Do you continue about your daily life refusing to allow terrorists to triumph? Do stand up for freedom and democracy even when evil seeks to destroy it? Will you champion peace even when forces obstruct it?    

It has been a hard few weeks for humanity, and it is difficult for anyone, let alone our students, to make sense of what is happening in the world. Our students got a broader perspective of the situation when Rabbi Shalom Hammer spoke during Town Hall today. He recalled how against all odds, Jewish people have survived, and he emphasised the need for Jewish unity.

After Town Hall 100 students gathered in our Beit Midrash where Rabbi Hammer spoke of the IDF's approach of action (represented by the hand tefillin) coupled with thought (represented by the head tefillin). Both are needed to be able to deal with the world around us and with the current terror that Israel is dealing with. Students were actively engaged in this lively presentation and gained better insight into what their extended Israeli family is experiencing.

We were left with the message that keeping connected to and involved with Israel, in whatever way possible, definitely makes a difference.   

Rabbi Reuven Margrett, Director of Judaic Studies  

Earlier this year, the Greater Detroit Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee sponsored a creative writing and art contest promoting better understanding between Jewish and Muslim communities. Last evening, at the awards ceremony held at Wayne State University, Jeremy Rosenberg accepted an award for his poem entitled The Peace I Know. Among the attendees were Dr. M. Roy Wilson, Wayne State University President, and Professor Howard Lupovitch, Director of the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies, both of whom addressed the diverse crowd.
Mazal Tov Jeremy!