While the tentative lull in fighting in Gaza was broken by another explosion Tuesday, the Muslim Student Association and the Hillel Jewish Student Union at Syracuse University came together with a peaceful goal in mind.

The groups met for a joint brainstorming meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life, where a group of 15 students tossed around ideas for educational programs and activities they could bring to campus.

Hillel and MSA plan to ask for funds from the Student Association to bring as yet undecided events and speakers to campus in the coming months, to show unity between the two organizations.

Seated in a circle of couches and chairs, members expressed their desire to educate the campus on the current situation in Gaza and combat the misperception that the two groups are at odds.

‘If we learn to understand each other and see where all of us are coming from, that’s the best thing we can do for the university,’ said Tamara Cohen, a senior entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises major. ‘To have them see us working together is what we need.’

The idea for the collaboration Tuesday was generated after a misunderstanding over a peace vigil for those in Gaza was held by MSA on campus last week, said Helene Kahn, president of the student board of Hillel. MSA invited Hillel to the vigil on the steps of Hendricks Chapel, but Hillel was already attending a rally at the Syracuse Jewish Community Center the same night. When the vigil was attended only by MSA and not Hillel, tensions grew between the two groups.

Stephanie Krivitzky, a freshman advertising major, spent her break in Israel and came back to campus to hear buzz of the incident.

‘I came back from Israel, where it was stressful enough,’ Krivitzky said, ‘And I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is crazy, I can’t believe I’m going back to school and all this is going on.’

But the members at the discussion had no qualms over the misunderstanding. Kahn and Ahmed Al-Salem, president of MSA, spoke frequently after the incident and Krivitzky, a member of Hillel, expressed her appreciation for the peace vigil.

Krivitzky’s sentiments embodied the atmosphere of the dialogue. Members of each organization said they were relieved for the long-overdue cooperation. They chatted about their Bat Mitzvahs and their time spent in the Middle East before the dialogue began.

Brian Small, program and special initiatives coordinator at Hillel, extended an invitation for the MSA members in attendance to join them at Shabbat dinner Friday.

‘It’s kosher food, so everyone can eat,’ Small said to laughter.

Hillel and MSA will hold weekly meetings to organize committees aimed at bringing events and speakers to campus.

The students suggested bringing ‘Laugh in Peace’ to campus, a comedy group consisting of one Arab and one Jew who tour college campuses. They will request a budget of approximately $7,500 from SA to do so.

Others suggested nights of Middle Eastern themed food at the dining halls, a ‘celebration of Jerusalem’ and cooking nights, featuring their native foods. Al-Salem requested bringing Norman Gershman, a holocaust author, to campus. They must have their proposed events approved for funding by SA before they can be implemented.

Jillian Zarem, a junior public relations and entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises major who spent her childhood in Israel, said she thinks the two groups are often misrepresented.

‘There’s a lot of passion among us that I think people aren’t aware of,’ Zaren said. ‘Whatever your beliefs are, your perspectives and ideals, everyone is very passionate. I look forward to the relationship we can build.’

blbump@syr.edu

Published on January 27, 2009 at 12:00 pm