THE STAR • PAGE 1

Washington and Lee Hillel Newsletter W&L Hillel House, 204 W. Washington St., Lexington, VA 24450-2116 hillel.wlu.edu [email protected] HILLEL July 2012 (540) 458-8443 Tammuz 5772

LAtKe-HAMentAsHen DeBAte/PUriM ceLeBrAtion By Ben Brams ’15 and Max Chapnick ’13 On the evening of March 8th, students and faculty gathered in the Hillel House to debate a question as old as time itself—a question that has plagued Jewish thinkers Director’s corner and philosophers for hundreds of years. Have you ever tried putting a puzzle the puzzle would be incomplete and we It’s a question of superiority; a question for together? 500 pieces? 2000 pieces? 6000 would not been able to bask in the glory all the gelt. Which traditional Jewish food pieces? of our masterpiece. holds the upper hand? Is it the delicious As a child I started with a 15 piece This year’s puzzle, just as in years past, latke or the delectable hamentashen? The puzzle and as I advanced and matured, will always remain together – for us to purpose of the debate was to uncover the the number pieces in my puzzles grew remember what we have accomplished, truth, and I’m happy to report, we did as well. Every time I got to the last piece remind us of what we are continuing to just that. of a puzzle, I thought of how long it took build and to guide us in our next puzzle. The debate was moderated by First- and how accomplished and satisfied I felt. Each year the number of pieces in our Year Ben Brams and Senior and Hillel I then started to wonder what I would puzzle increases. With each consecutive Co-President Josh Posner, who gave a lively do with my time, whether or not to start year, we are developing new programs introduction of the debate’s prestigious a new puzzle, and what to do with the and initiatives and we are continuing to history both nationally and at W&L. puzzle I already had--Do I put it back in increase the number of Jewish students After the inaugural latke flip, Professor the box? Frame it? Leave it on the table on campus. Tim Diette gave the first presentation for for a while? Each of us carries with us a piece of a the latke team: his smooth presentation I had the pleasure of working with larger puzzle and I am looking forward on his extensive happiness-utility research students, alumni, faculty, staff, and to helping to guide, motivate and put soundly proved that the coefficient of community members to put together together next year’s pieces. happiness for the latke was significantly this year’s puzzle. Each person in the Have a great summer and if you would higher than that of the hamentashen. Washington and Lee Hillel community like to discuss your puzzle piece, please Following Professor Diette and his helped piece together a beautiful picture— contact me any time. mathematical formulas and study-driven an incredible year full of religious, cultural, evidence was Professor of Politics Lucas educational, social, and community L’Shalom Morel, who found a body of facts implying services activities. Without each of us, Brett Schwartz, Hillel Director

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Continued from page 1 that America’s founders were proponents Luckily, Dean Tammy Futrell was up of the Hamantash. He informed listeners to the task of defending the hamantash, that forefathers such as Washington, warning about the dangers of latke Franklin, and Lincoln understood the consumption, saying, “Friends don’t let necessity for the fruit-flavored pastry, friends eat latkes.” Dean Futrell presented which almost single-handedly paved the her work on the negative influence way for the country in which we live today. of latkes on students’ lives outside the He related the famous tri-cornered hat to classroom and the positive effects of the the Hamantash and even went so far as hamantash. to insinuate Lincoln’s denial of the latke. In the end, it was very close—closer Both lectures received hearty laughter modeled the evil Death Star after the than any other year. After careful and at the halfway point, it was much hamentashen. He then spotlighted a deliberation and multiple votes, the latke too close to call. forgotten hymn that extolled the virtue team was given the victory. Afterwards, Next, choral director Professor Shane of the latke while simultaneously bashing everyone enjoyed latkes and hamentashen, Lynch presented a compelling argument the hamentashen. Professor Lynch also and judging by the satisfied smiles as that George Lucas and composer John had the premier choral group at W&L, people were enjoying both foods, I think William strongly favored the latke in their the W&L Chamber Singers, perform a it’s safe to say that everyone was a winner. classic series Star Wars. Professor Lynch Mendelssohn piece with alternate lyrics suggested that Spielberg deliberately in praise of the latke.

JLsA – JewisH LAw stUDent AssociAtion UPDAte Ariel Brio, Law Class of 2012 Outgoing JLSA President

This past semester, the Jewish Law was co-sponsored by the International the President from declaring frivolous Students Association (JLSA) at W&L Law Society and by the Federalist Society anticipatory strikes. Finally, he discussed Law had the good fortune to welcome Chapter of Washington and Lee. the Obama Administration’s policies in two nationally recognized speakers. Both Douglas J. Feith, former Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran, as well as speakers helped students understand the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy the Israeli-Palestinian issue. He fears legal and strategic issues in Israel and the in the administration of George W. that the current Administration is not Middle East. Bush, held a dialogue with law and taking seriously the fact that without Eugene Kontorovich, Professor of undergraduate students on the legal American involvement, the region could Law at Northwestern University, spoke and strategic issues of the War on Terror be a hot-zone in the short-term. After his about the legal authorities governing the post-9/11. Undersecretary Feith’s talk talk at the law school, Mr. Feith joined borders of Israel. His analysis, rooted emanated from his book, War & Decision, undergraduates for a more personal purely in the law and not on policy, in which he describes the decision- discussion of foreign policy at the Hillel focused on the text of the authorities and making processes involved in the House. This talk was co-sponsored with their interpretation based on precedent. the Transnational Law Institute, Contact Professor Kontorovich’s conclusions Committee, Politics Department, Hillel were that while legally a Palestinian state House, and the Federalist Society Chapter is not a question, the border issue is a of Washington and Lee. different story. Professor Kontorovich invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan during Both of these high-level speakers argues that the territories governed by his time as Policy Chief at the Pentagon. increased the discourse of the Middle the Palestinian Authority are not within Mr. Feith discussed how non-state actors East and Israel at the law school while agreed upon borders but rather that Israel challenge international law, as it was increasing JLSA’s profile. JLSA looks has as strong, if not stronger, of a legal developed to deal with formal state-on­ forward to continuing its role at the case of ownership. This comes from law state warfare. He described how the Bush intersection of cultural, religious, and established by the League of Nations as Administration saw pre-emptive warfare social Judaism while bringing thought- inherited by the United Nations as well as balanced with several domestic and provoking events relevant to Jewish and as customary international law. The talk international forces in order to prevent Israeli issues to the law school. THE STAR • PAGE 3

• Hillel Donor Honor Roll • 2011-2012 •

Gifts made to the Annual Hillel Fund Immediately contribute to the exceptional religious, cultural, educational, social, leadership development and community service programming at Hillel. The Hillel fund is what keeps Jewish student life viable at W&L. Our diverse quality programs and opportunities depends on the financial support of alumni, parents, community members and friends.

Thank you to all those who made contributions to Hillel! to sUstAin w&L HiLLeL: w&L ALUMni AnD FrienDs Prof. Christian Haskett and Maggie Shapiro Richard J. Aberson ’60 Charles M. Helzberg ’58 $1000 or More Don and Enid Hillman ’46 John and Myrna Blume ’54, ’56L James P. Ainoris Philip Hyre and Ms. Daphne Raz Mark R. Eaker ’69 The Hon. Harry Jay and Gail Altman II ’72 Robert and Susan Jacobi ’53, ’54L Ralph and Judith Evans ’59 Scott Apter’69 Dr. William and Mary Jacobs ’71 David and Vicki Friedfeld ’83L Bruce and Joan Brenner Murray and Deborah Jacobson ’66 Sam and Marion Golden Helping Robert and Jenny Broh ’60 Jewish Community Federation of Richmond Hand Foundation, Inc. Irvin and Sharon Caplan ’58 Drs. Rachel and Robert Jones ’94 Daniel P. and Annette B. Gordon Jay M. Caplan ’64 Dr. Richard and Carmen Kampf ’71 Foundation P’92 Brian Cherry ’11 David and Leslie Kantor ’73 Charles M. Helzberg ’58, from the Nathaniel and Esther Cohen ’64 Alan and Susan Kaplan ’51 Charles M. Helzberg Philanthropic Dr. Richard and Dianne Cohen ’60 Prof. Art Goldsmith and Jan Kaufman Fund of the Jewish Community Craig and Leslie Coller ’76 Joseph H. Keller Foundation of Greater Kansas City Carrie ’00 and Truitt Cooper ’99 Clifford and Arvilla Kern III ’70 Hillel: The Foundation for Erik and Elizabeth Cooper ’88 The Hon. Ronald Kessler ’69 Jewish Campus Life Dick and Annette Coplan ’64 John and Cynthia Klinedinst ’71, Warner and Helane Isaacs ’57 Alan M. Corwin ’62 ’78L, W&L Board of Trustees Howard and Meg Jacobs ’58 Dean Hank Dobin and Bonnie Bernstein S. L. and Amelia Kopald, Jr. ’43 Jewish Endowment Foundation Dr. Scott Dubit and Dr. Pat Schirmer Kopie 43 and Mimi Kopald David and Leslie Kantor ’73 Charles and Keli Davidson ’85 Edward and Anne Kramer ’81 Wilfred and Lynne Kullman, Jr. ’58 Philip and Susie Davidson ’87 Melvyn and Vivian Lapes ’65 Malcolm Lassman ’60, ’63L Dave and Tracy De Jong ’75L Carrie Enright LaRose Sanford and Barbara Maslansky ’56 Dr. Mark R. Eaker ’69, W&L Malcolm Lassman ’60, ’63L Oliver and Shelley Mendell ’50 Board of Trustees Ron and Lynn Laupheimer ’66 Stanley and Judith Mitchell ’43 Daniel and Elizabeth Einstein ’83 Bernard and Donna Levin ’42 N. J. and Sara November ’48 Noah ’98 and Michelle Egorin ’99 Ed Levy 59 Kenneth and Marianne Novack, Hagood and Cis Ellison ’72 David and Sarah Levinson ’00 Novack Family Foundation Howard S. Epstein ’67 Hon. Laurence and Barbara Levitan ’55 Jewish Community Federation of Richmond H. Stephen Epstein ’67 Prof. Simon Levy Jonathan H. Weigle ’74 Daniel and Catherine Fetterman ’83 ’87L Stephen and Carole Lichtenstein ’53 Hon. Paul and Roslyn Weinstein ’55 Scott and Peggy Fechnay ’69 Amy R. Lowenthal Eric and Vicki White White ’74, P’10 Seth Feibelman ’08 Neil and Sue Lutins ’74 John Zamoiski ’74 Stanley and Fay Fink ’64L Matt Fink ’04 Jay and Kathleen Lutins ’79 Lynchburg Jewish Community Council ProGrAM sPonsors: The Henry and Virginia Fleishman Family Fund of the Jewish Jewish Foundation of Memphis Foundation of Greensboro Earl and Barbara Magdovitz ’65 Shabbat: Prof. Marcia B. France Robert and Amelie Maslansky ’52 John Zamoiski Anthony and Rebecca Frank ’59 Prof. Harvey Markowitz James Sagner James and Linda Freund ’62 J.S. and Mary Marks ’59 Brian and Julie Ginsburg ’81 Prof. Richard and Walapa Marks Latke/Hamentashen Debate Barry and Edith Greene ’64 Alan and Leona Marx ’65 & Purim celebration Donald and Enid Hillman ’46 Michael and Donna Masinter ’58 ’61L John Zamoiski Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Joseph Mendelsohn III ’52 Prof. Art Goldsmith and Jan Kaufman Bruce and Carol Meyers ’70 VIP Dinner: Jeffrey S. Goldstein Cornelia A. Miller Michael and Deborah Missal Jason and Jennifer Gordon, P’92 ’95 Stephen and Jeanne Miller ’60 Kevin and Dana Gray ’82L Michael and Deborah Missal ’78 Passover: Brian R. Greene ’94L Julian B. Mohr ’52 Eric and Vicki White Leonard and Barbara Greenebaum ’56, ’58L Ashley Moore Scott Apter Prof. Mark and Sally Grunewald Prof. David and Lesley Novack Richard D. Hachenburg ’82 Neil and Sara November ’48 Continued on page 4 THE STAR • PAGE 4

Gary and Elissa Okin ’74 w&L PArents AnD Andrew and Kristin Shapira ’96 Michael and Deborah Okin ’76 GrAnDPArents Abe and Becie Yoffe: Stuart and Charlotte Yoffe ’64 Jonathan and Wendy H. Pakula ’82 Edward Adler and Rachel Ostry ’79 Paul Weinstein ’55: James N. Paradies ’51 The Hon. Harry Jay and Gail Altman II ’72 Dr. Richard Bank ’55 Jerald and Francine Perlman ’69 Leslie Beker Ferdinand (“Phil”) and Barbara Phillips ’51 Gary and Cynthia Benedetti Marc A. Randolph ’96L Joseph and Cynthia Brams GiFts MADe in tHe Kerry and Carol Reynolds ’62 Ari and Joyce Cartun MeMory oF: Arthur B. Rippe ’72 Elliot and Fern Chapnick James D. Farrar, Sr.: Howard Rosenbloom ’61 and Dr. Lowell Chapnick and Adrienne Laitman James and Katherine Farrar, Jr. ’74 Michelle Gelkin, Ben and Esther Leslie and Sandy Croland Louis Greentree ’42: Rosenbloom Foundation Bruce and Mary Engel Leon J. Warms ’42 Dr. Douglas Robins and Andrew and Alison Fass Muriel Krampf: Maureen Shapiro ’65 Ronald and Diane Fishman Phillip J. Krampf ’74 Joan Robins and Malcolm Cothran Beth and Adam Goldstein Sydell Marcus: Dr. Scott and Faye Rickoff ’73 Dennis Gubler and Dilrukshi Perera Betty Taylor Rockbridge Historical Society Victor and Rochelle Horadam Dr.John Margolis ZBT ’73: Bennett and Alyson Ross ’83 Ellen C. Humphries David and Leslie Kantor ’73, Herb Rubenstein and Laurie Bassi ’74 Michael and Sally Kliegman Florence Gottfried Mintz: Dr. Jerome A Sacks ’40 Michael and Patricia Krasnov Dr. Edward L. Mintz ’81 James Sagner ’62 John and Barbara Lankalis Mortimer M. Robins: Harvey and Anne Savitt ’68L Phyllis and Robert Levin Prof. David and Beverly Bruck Mark and Elanor Schaul ’53 Stacey and Morris Lewis Elizabeth Evans Marc and Margaret Schewel ’69 Ann Macheras Ruth Gillman Jonathan and Roslyn Schewel ’50 Scott and Lynne Mason Thomas and Joan Guthrie ’50 Elliot and Rosel Schewel ’45 Marcy and Manny Panzer Prof. Art Goldsmith and Jan Kaufman Ellis and Sara Schulist ’53 Linda Posner J. Hardin Marion Prof. Emeritus Frederick and Robert Posner Helen and Michael Rossi Claudia Schwab Brian and C.J. Sands, VMI Ben Sugar: Max and Ellen Shapira ’65 Mark and Rachel Seliber Charles and Jane Cahn ’70 Bob and Marilyn Shapiro ’64 Stuart and Martha Selonick Steven Lee Tabakin, Zeta Beta Tau ’70: Dane and Mira Shrallow ’68 Andrew and Kristin Shapira ’96 Richard Abrams ’70 Dr. Arthur B. Sher ’65 Ellen and Max Shapira ’65 Peter Besson ’70 Irving and Joyce Shlesinger ’51 Neil and Marjorie Shapiro Scot Brower ’70 Mervyn and Deborah Silverman ’60 David and Elyse Shaw Chuck Cahn ’70 Jerry and Louise Sklar ’59 Philip and Dana Smith Mark Evans ’70 Howard and Susan Sklaroff ’77 Harlan and Susan Stone Henry Fleischman ’70 Dr. Firth and Edith Spiegel ’61 Larry and Lynda Wilner Gary Herman ’70 Francie and Jared Spahn ’95 J. Edward Wise ’53 Sheldon Miller ’70 Rabbi Barry and Linda Steinger ’68 Marc and Audrey Wisotsky Ken Murov ’72 David Sternlicht ’11 Yoram Yadlin and Lynne Abraham-Yadlin Stuart Porter ’70 Professor Larry Stene Stanley Yankelowitz and Elisabeth Guthrie Walter Sales ’70 Paul and Karen Sugar ’70 Steve Sandler ’70 Michael and Nancy Sussman ’63 Ronald Sklar ’70 Betty Taylor GiFts in Honor oF: Paul Sugar ’70 Zachary ’05 and Laura Taylor Cadet Daniel Adler VMI ’14: Samuel I. White ’50L: (Laura Samuels ’04) Jeffrey Steven Adler Joan and Lauren Fargis Arnold Vedlitz ’68 Joseph Dreyfuss: VMI, Chaplain’s Office Daniel and Paula Dreyfuss Leon J. Warms ’42 Professor David and Lesley Novack: Solomon and Joan Wachtler 51 52L Kenneth and Marianne Novack Washington and Lee Office of Religious Life Novack Family Foundation Drs. Mitch Wapner and Cindy Downes Joan Robins, Hillel Director Emeritus: Phillip Welch and Cindy Atkins ’83 Samuel B. Kuckley and Roberta M. Alpert Richard and Orna Weinstein ’91 Elliot Schewel ’45: Marc and Jill Winston ’67 Dr. John M. Samet ’64 John and Debra Zamoiski ’74 Max Shapira ’65: Ellen and John Zimmerman ’09

No matter how careful we try to be, occasionally we inadvertently fail to note all of our supporters. Please forgive us and let us know of any errors or omissions. THE STAR • PAGE 5

ViP Dinners & tHe noVAcK FU nD By David Fishman ’14, Speakers VP

Washington and Lee Hillel is pleased to have had another successful semester, which included two VIP Dinners. We were fortunate enough to host Professor Tyler Dickovick of the Politics Department and Professor David Novack of the Sociology Department. The separate dinners were both held at the Sheridan Livery, where there was a strong turnout of 15-20 students eager to discuss various relevant ALUMni reUnion topics with the professors. Sunny Altman ’13, Alumni Relations Chair Over a pleasant meal, there was candid discussion ranging from basic student life On May 11, Jewish alumni of Members of several different classes on campus to actively trying to become a Washington and Lee met for a reception back at W&L for their reunions, as well greater part of the Rockbridge community honoring Dr. Jim Sagner. Dr. Sagner as current students, were present at as a Jewish student body. graduated from W&L with a BS in the reception, which was held in the One of the most memorable topics accounting and went on to earn an MBA multipurpose room of the Hillel House. was about the promotion of a fund to from the University of Pennsylvania and Alumni were able to learn about W&L benefit impoverished children living in a PhD from the American University. He today from current students, and the Rockbridge County, who are often in dire currently is senior principal of Sagner/ students enjoyed listening to the alumni need of every day basic necessities. This Marks and teaches both finance to MBA tell stories about W&L when they were magnanimous endeavor, originated by students at the University of Bridgeport students. That evening, alumni, faculty, the Novack family, with the assistance of and executive education at the University students, and community members met Michelle Hughes, a local school teacher, is of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He has for a student-led Shabbat service and an attempt not only to embolden Hillel’s authored eight books and some 60 papers dinner sponsored by Dr. Sagner. commitment to actively partaking in and articles, which have appeared in everyday mitzvahs, but also to raise various publications. awareness in people who may never have met a Jew before and to connect Judaism with benevolent sentiments. The fund provides anonymous gifts, donated by W&L students, to local school children. We hope to expand this altruistic fund and to continue to provide insightful VIP Dinners for the Jewish student body next year. THE STAR • PAGE 6

BiRtHRigHt isRael – tHe 2011-2012 expeRience

This past winter Washington and Lee Hillel sent six students on Taglit Birthright Israel, a program where students are provided with a no-cost trip to Israel, joining thousands of other young Jewish adults from around the world for a unique life-changing experience. The students who embarked on this journey were Jonathan Salm ’13, Joshua Josephson ’14, David Fishman ’14, Melissa Horadam ’13, Aaron Kliegman ’14, and Mikel Wilner ’13. Prior to their departure the students met several times with Hillel Director Brett Schwartz to learn about the land they would be visiting. They learned about geography, culture, and politics, and they also had discussions on the basics of traveling in Israel. These sessions also allowed time for this group of six students to get to know each other and start bonding as a group before joining 35 other students from around the country. After the students got back into the country they came back together for a dinner with Brett Schwartz to share their experiences and to express their new perspectives.

Before I left the States, a large number of us saw Birthright simply as an opportunity to visit Israel. By the end of the trip, however, Birthright helped us realize how truly important and unique the Jewish people are. It was an amazing experience that I will surely treasure for the rest of my life. -Jonathan Salm ’13

My experience on Birthright is not far different from that of most of the trip’s participants. For most, if not all of us, it was an experience that truly exceeded our expectations.

We came from different backgrounds, different schools, and Visiting Israel is a trip that everyone should make. Israel isn’t just practiced Judaism in different ways. We attended Washington and another country; it is the land of our people. Birthright opened Lee, Kent State, Purdue, and Princeton. Some of us were religious, my eyes to a whole new world that I didn’t know existed. While others secular, some from a Reform background and others from on Birthright, we toured most of the country, spanning from the a Conservative tradition. We kept vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and Golan Heights to the Negev Desert. We stopped in Jerusalem and non-kosher. Despite our differences, we were all united in Israel Tel Aviv as well. The memories and the people we met will forever under the Jewish faith. But above all, we made the decision to be instilled in our lives. visit Israel as a part of Birthright. Coming back from a trip like Birthright is tough to do, but it Throughout the ten-day trip, we took in everything that Israel makes you appreciate Judaism. I now have a better connection had to offer. In Jerusalem, we had Shabbat, visited the Western to my religion, countries, and myself. I am now a different person Wall, and had an emotional day at Yad Vashem. Tel Aviv gave after visiting Israel. I will stand up for my fellow Jews when they us a taste of modern Israel. The landscape and natural beauty are in need. Nobody can come in between me and Judaism. I will of the Golan Heights, Lake Galilee, and the Dead Sea rival that fight, with everything I have, to support Israel and the Birthright of anywhere else in the world. We were treated to Jeep rides, an program. It changes lives one by one. overnight experience in the Negiv Desert, and a magical morning -Joshua Josephson ’14 hike of Mount Masada. THE STAR • PAGE 7 wAsHinGton AnD Lee ADLiB syMPosiUM By Jonathan Salm ’13

This past March, Washington and Lee University invited alumni in the marketing and advertising world to be a part of the AdLib conference, featuring workshops, presentations and panels that connected advertising with the liberal arts. Among the visiting alumni were three Jewish alumni who not only participated in the conference, but were integral to AdLib’s success. John Zamoiski ’74 delivered the isrAeLi inDePenDence DAy keynote address to a group of marketing By Lauren Michnick ’14, Social VP and advertising students during dinner at the Southern Inn and spoke on the On Wednesday, May 25 Washington dinner who is not a member of Hillel said, second panel, “Media 2.0 and its Role and Lee University’s Hillel hosted a “This dinner enabled me to have a much in Advertising.” Zamoiski founded dinner at The Marketplace celebrating better understanding of Israeli culture, Bottlerocket Marketing Group in New Israeli Independence Day. The dinner plus the food was great!” York City and currently serves as its included traditional Israeli foods as well It was enjoyable to see people’s faces Chairman and CEO. as festive Israeli decorations. Some dishes when they walked into the dinning room Rich Weinstein ’91 spoke on the in this menu included matboucha, falafel, to see it decorated and especially when second panel, “Welcome to the Ad World.” noodle kugel, brisket, chicken schnitzel, people came in dancing because of the Weinstein is a Senior Vice President and as well as a personal favorite of mine, Israeli music. One of the best parts of Group Account Director for the Martin coconut macaroons. Excellent music to the dinner besides the great food, music, Agency in Richmond. Brad Haugen ’04 enhance our festivities was provided by and people was that it occurred during was a featured guest speaker and also Ian Shaw and Brett Schwartz. Accepted Students Weekend so students participated on the second panel with The purpose of the Israeli dinner was who are interested in W&L were exposed Zamoiski. to share Israeli customs with the entire to some of best aspects if Hillel. Haugen is the CMO of Scoot Braun school, not just Hillel members. Vicky I cannot wait until we celebrate again Projects, an entertainment company Cervantes, a students who joined me at next year! whose clients include Justin Bieber, Asher Roth, and Carly Rae Jepsen. When these alumni returned to W&L, each were impressed with how far Jewish life has come since they graduated. For frequent patrons of the Hillel House, Zamoiski’s name might sound familiar. The back porch is officially named the “Zamoiski-White Patio.” It was named by Zamoiski and his roommate and best friend, Eric White ’74, in memory of their fathers, both W&L alumni. “I am absolutely thrilled that the Hillel house has become an integral part of campus life,” Zamoiski said. “It really

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ADLIB SYMPOSIUM looking towaRDs next YeaR Continued from page 7 By Samantha Rosier ’14, W&L Hillel President is a place that promotes interaction, As the school year winds down, Hillel board is really excited to share our ideas intellectual pursuit, and understanding certainly has not. Over the last two with other Hillel’s and learn from them, among students of all faiths. I am excited months of classes, we hosted over a along with getting leadership training in to be a part of the building of the Hillel hundred people for a Passover Seder, seminars and workshops. The grant also house, as is my ‘partner in crime’ Eric celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut with the includes follow-up training on campus White.” entire school, welcomed accepted throughout the upcoming school year. Both Zamoiski and Weinstein were students, and had a week full of events The beginning of the academic year is particularly impressed at how the Hillel for Holocaust Remembrance Week, always busy for Hillel, especially with the house has helped Jewish life become all in addition to our usual Shabbat High Holy Days. We have been assigned a more prominent on campus. At one point, dinners and services. Now we are student rabbi from Hebrew Union College there were two Jewish fraternities, Zeta beginning to plan out our next year. who will assist our members in leading Beta Tau and Phi Epsilon Pi. Phi Ep was We held elections for officer positions services and join the community for absorbed into ZBT nationally in the early in April. We restructured our board meals. We are also planning Orientation seventies and Zamoiski joined ZBT when to have one president and five vice Week activities for the incoming first- he came to W&L. However, by the late presidents with chairs and committees years to get them involved and show them eighties, ZBT had lost its connection with under them. We will again have a First everything Hillel has to offer. Jewish students. Year Students of Hillel board next year so Our board is trying to emphasize that Weinstein, who had not returned that we can get new students involved and Hillel can be whatever a students wants to W&L until the AdLib conference, continue to grow. The executive board has it to be- simply for social events, for the was both surprised and pleased at the already taken over for the month of May religious aspects, or a place to hang out resurgence in Jewish life. “I graduated and planned the Israeli Independence all the time. One of our goals is to offer a in 1991, and at that time I don’t think Day dinner, Shabbats, and the alumni variety of different events so that students there was a Jewish person in ZBT. There weekend events. from all religious backgrounds, including didn’t seem to be much of a Jewish culture Recently we received a grant to allow non-Jews, can come and enjoy themselves. on campus,” said Weinstein. Instead, the six members of the executive board to I’m very excited about working with Washington and Lee Jewish life existed attend Hillel’s International Conference our new board and can’t wait for the mostly off campus. “AdLib was my first in St. Louis for a weekend in August. The upcoming year. time back to campus in more than 15 years,” he continued. “To now have a building (the Hillel house) that is literally LUncH AnD LeArns the center of campus blew me a way. It By Brenden Strauss ’15 guests who either lead the discussion or is 180 degrees of a difference. Jewish life contribute their invaluable opinions with is now vibrant and fantastic. The Hillel “A room full of Jews is sitting around the students. house is a huge step in the right direction!” a table eating bagels and talking about From “Tattooed Jews” to “Is Any The Hillel house served as one of the tattoos.” Sounds like the start of a of That Stuff in the Bible True?” to prime meeting locations for the AdLib mediocre joke, but it’s not; it’s a “Lunch “Madonna and Kabbalah” this year’s conference, including seminars, speakers, and Learn.” Washington and Lee’s Hillel Lunch and Learns have covered various and a luncheon. “I was delighted to find House, under the direction of Brett topics that modern Jews can relate to. The out that the luncheon for the conference Schwartz, started Lunch and Learn most shocking part is the difference of I was keynoting was held at the Hillel this year, which took place every other opinions coming from the students. Each house,” Zamoiski said. “Hillel is not week. A typical Lunch and Learn begins discussion was met with a multitude of apart from the University, but instead with each attendee grabbing lunch from views, and each view was acknowledged a part of the University. The conference the E. Café located in the Hillel House. and respected, making Hillel’s Lunch and was designed to create a bridge between Once everyone has their lunch, the group Learn not only a place to eat and talk, but liberal arts and advertising and the Hillel heads up to the second floor conference also a place to make new and interesting house creates a bridge between students room to discuss the main topic of the friends, all while learning about the of all faiths. I think it was appropriate day. With each session come special Jewish heritage and the modern Jew. that part of the conference was held there.” THE STAR • PAGE 9

HoLocAUst reMeMBrAnce weeK By Max Chapnick ’13 and Alicia Bishop ’13

Although flowers were blooming all who attended. Students, professors, outside during the second full week of and community members participated, spring term, our Hillel house had a more letting people from around Lexington somber feel as we observed Holocaust remember, together, one of the most Remembrance week. The week kicked culturally significant and tragic events off with our annual Holocaust Vigil. in our history. That weekend, 24 students Pairing traditional music and powerful boarded a mini-bus and drove to poems with a candle-lighting ceremony, Washington D.C. to spend several hours W&L Hillel created a program that was at the Holocaust Museum. moving and thought-provoking for The week continued as students, faculty, and community members gathered in the multipurpose room to watch a documentary, The Last Days directed by Stephen Spielberg and a Having never visited the national Holocaust Memorial Museum before, I honestly movie screening of Sarah’s Key. These had no idea what to expect. I had heard emotional stories of people being moved to heart-wrenching movies were difficult tears by the experience but was in no way prepared for the effect it would have on to watch, but gave perspectives we have me personally. As our bus arrived at the building I recall being struck by its stern, not seen before. austere architectural design and the somber yet ominous effect it induced upon me. To conclude our remembrance week, Jay Ipson, Holocaust survivor, U.S. solider, Once inside, I learned the layout of the building as such: visitors start on the top floor, successful businessman, and long­ where they learn about the Nazi’s ascent to power, and descend into the museum’s time Virginia resident gave a powerful lower floors, where exhibits depict horrific accounts of the concentration camps presentation at Hillel. Ipson questioned themselves. The museum’s architect, James Ingo Freed, once stated that the visitor’s his audience, “Can anything like the descent into the museum’s lower floors was designed to symbolize a veritable descent Holocaust happen here in America?” into hell. Having completed my tour, I can fully attest to the truth of this statement. Ipson never answered his own question as he went on to describe both the Several exhibits proved particularly chilling and lingered in my mind long after political and his personal history during the completion of my tour. The room filled with countless shoes of victims, as well the years leading up to the outbreak of as the wall-length mural depicting the thousands of pounds of shorn hair found at World War II. He spoke about how his Auschwitz alone, left me speechless, while the medical experiments slideshow was family escaped a ghetto that had been a cruel reminder of the Nazi’s total disregard for human life. As we made our way turned into a concentration camp and to the Wannsee Conference exhibit, my roommate Jack Murphy and I were unable how they managed to survive for months to fathom how national political leaders, some seventy odd years ago, could calmly in a small dug-out hole in a poor farmer’s discuss plans for the systemic annihilation of an entire race of people. The entire field. Ipson noted that as a young boy his experience was chilling, to say the least. father taught him arithmetic by counting lice in the cramped space. As we neared the end of the museum, I began to reflect on my time there and was drawn, Today Ipson is the founder and owner in my mind, to my past reading of Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel’s Nobel of the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Peace Prize Acceptance Speech and the lessons that I drew from it. Wiesel claimed, Roanoke, VA. It was a privilege for us to “Human suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere, and “that we host Ipson, who not only presented the must never forget the atrocities committed against the Jewish people to ensure that moving story of a boy who survived the an event like the Holocaust never occurs again.” Holocaust, but who is also a successful -Cory Church ’15 and charismatic man in his own right. THE STAR • PAGE 10

passoveR 2012 By Victoria Cervantes ’14

It was the last Friday before final exams, and I was at a Community Passover event in Evans Dining Hall. I, a non-Jewish student, was fortunate enough to sit at one of the many round tables covered with Seder plates, wine, and food. The Passover Seder held by W&L’s small and mighty Hillel was, thankfully, open to the community and I was introduced to a completely new type of religious celebration. My first Passover celebration was an event that I will not soon forget. There was plenty of food, wine (four glasses each, if you wanted to do it right), singing, and community bonding. There was a strong sense of hospitality and companionship that night (but that wasn’t too surprising since these are two benefits that I always recognize when attending Hillel-sponsored events) along with plenty of food on my plate (and in my stomach). The fact that I belong to the Protestant Christian faith has never caused any type of conflict or strife when I come to Hillel, and I think that there is a very inspiring atmosphere of tolerance on the Washington and Lee campus. I would have to say that although I enjoy coming to Hillel services, including Shabbat Shalom on Fridays, this Passover Seder was a very special event and one of my favorites. Passover 2012 was a very exciting celebration, perhaps because it was the first service of this type that I have attended, but I find it hard to imagine that any Passover celebration is not at least moving or stirring. It is the celebration of a people’s exodus from Egypt, a country in which they were oppressed by slavery and religious discrimination. During the service we ate the traditional items on the Seder plate, we recited the ten-plagues that descended upon the Egyptians, and we ate the unleavened bread just as the Israelites did when fleeing from Egypt. Attending Passover was just another confirmation to me that W&L’s Hillel is a tightly-knit community that is part of a bigger world of ancient and sacred traditions that I have begun appreciate because of the welcoming arms of the groups’ members.

First-year students bonding while snow tubing at Wintergreen Resort. THE STAR • PAGE 11 Hillel offi cers 2012–2013

ExEcuTIVE Board: Sunday night Football chair President Ian Shaw ’13 Sammy rosier ’14 alumni relations communications VP Sunny altman ’13 Stephanie Krasnov ’13 Social Media Shabbat and Holidays VP Ben Brams ’15 POSTAGE PAID PAID POSTAGE Lee University

Washington and Lizzie Engel ’13 outreach

U.S. Social VP (s) alicia Bishop ’13 Nonprofit Organization Lauren Michnick ’14 Latke/Hamentashen debate rimona cartun ’13 Max chapnick ’13 Speakers VP chanukah chair david Fishman ’14 Max chapnick ’13 Social action/ Tikkun olam VP Kitchen coordinator Kathryn Marsh-Soloway ’13 craig Shapiro ’15 Jewish culture chair GEnEraL Board: Jared Hester ’13 Shabbat chair Israel relations Sam raphael ’15 aaron Kliegman ’14

advisory Board 2012–2013

Prof. Marcia France, Chair Michael Okin, MD ’76 Law Prof. David Bruck Howard Rosenbloom ’61 Jan Kaufman Marc Schewel ’69 Prof. Barry Kolman Betty Taylor Prof. Simon Levy, Advisor Mitch Wapner Prof Harvey Markowitz Hon Paul Weinstein ’55 Prof. David Novack Eric White ’74