Dear Fellow Wolverines --

I want to make sure you are updated about what is happening on campus, and what Michigan Hillel continues to do to help our students feel safe, secure, and proud to be Jewish. This is a long email, however there is a lot of information to share. 

As you may know, today there was a nationwide “walkout” organized by anti-Israel groups. Hillel staff was in communication with the Dean of Students throughout the day and staff from her office were out on the Diag - along with UM police - to make sure that this protest did not turn ugly. I am pleased to report that there was no violence and no threat to public safety.

For students who were troubled by the protests, the Michigan Hillel team is here for them. Also, the Dean of Students made it very clear they want students to file reports with the University if any individual, teacher, or GSI spreads antisemitism or misinformation about the current situation in Israel. Any violations of University policy must be reported and we are helping students do that if needed. If there is any incident you know about and want to report, please have your student do so here: Campus Climate Support Online Reporting Form. 

Some of you may have also heard that the Central Student Government (CSG) was asked to consider a petition that expressed support for the Palestinian people and additionally requested that President Ono retract or strongly revise his statement. The resolution was not considered due to procedural issues. With Hillel’s assistance, Jewish students on campus created their own petition. Please share this link with your student and ask them to sign their name Pro Israel CSG Resolution. Only current students (with a umich.edu) email can sign. It is likely that both will be considered next week. 

Other information sessions about the war, including talking points and strategies for communicating with others are being planned and will be shared with students. If you want real-time information on these programs and events, follow us on Instagram – MichiganHillel and WolverineforIsrael.

Michigan Hillel is also here to help any Jewish student handle the swirl of sadness, anger, fear, and anxiety that many of us are feeling. For more information on those mental health services have your student reach out to Hillel staff regarding telehealth opportunities, or for University services click here UM CAPS.

Like a great Jim Harbaugh-coached team, we are also on offense -- filling the calendar with opportunities for our students to come together, learn, celebrate, and find joy as they are on their own Jewish journey. 

Tonight, for the first time since COVID, the Nice Jewish Ball will be held at Rick’s; tomorrow, there’s a chance to get bagels and coffee on North, smoothies in the afternoon, and then, of course, Shabbat dinner on Friday. Sunday there’s a trip out to a Cider Mill in Plymouth; a challah bake on Monday; and the list goes on and on! 

Finally, I want to say thank you to our wonderful Hillel staff who are working day and night to be there for our students, and thank you for your support of Michigan Hillel. And in that vein, I also want to urge the community to thank President Ono and the Administration for all they have done for the Jewish community. All of us have seen how on other campuses, there has been a chilling neutrality or even hostility to the Jewish community. That is not the case here in Ann Arbor! We need to thank the administration both because it’s the right thing to do and because they are getting complaints for taking these stands. They need to hear from us! You can email President Ono at  [email protected] or the Dean of Students at [email protected]. 

Thank you,

Abbey Frank

Chair, Michigan Hillel Board of Trustees