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May 9, 2008
Educational entertainment
British campus celebrations for Israel's 60th were well attended.
EVA COHEN
Amid the reputation of having the most Israel-unfriendly campuses in the world, Jewish British students celebrated Israel's 60th anniversary across the country last week in a big way.
A variety of events took place on all campuses, including concerts, speakers and dinners. American band Blue Fringe, who perform music and parodies, headlined the festivities at Cambridge University, while the entire week was capped off by an enormous event and concert for all ages at Wembley Stadium in London.
Wembley, home to the national soccer team, is England's largest venue and seats 90,000. Each year, Israel's anniversary events are held at Wembley, with famous guests including politicians and artists. Of course, the whole stadium wasn't sold out, but this year's anniversary attracted thousands with a performance by comedian Jackie Mason and music by Israeli singer Sarit Hadad.
Of the campuses in England, the University of Birmingham and University of Leeds rival as the largest Jewish Societies (JSoc), but Leeds is known for being the most active and has the largest presence on the union council. The JSoc in Leeds comprises the university and Leeds Metropolitan University, which together boast a Jewish student body of approximately 900 and an official paying membership of 500 students. Last week, Leeds held its Israel Week. Different societies showcased what they're about and the geographical focal point was a stall outside of the student union building, which had photos and information about Israel. As well, a massive tent was erected on the lawn of Hillel House, which is home to 24 students, a synagogue and hosts a multitude of Jewish student activities throughout the year. The tent was for JSoc members visiting Hillel and was decorated with, among other things, a nargila corner and a fake beach, with a small inflatable paddle pool and sand to represent Eilat.
On the Wednesday, the focus was not on the displays, but on speakers. The week's keynote speaker was Ran Gidor, director of political affairs at the British Israeli embassy. The event was preceded by a Palestinian student protest outside of the auditorium. Gidor's talk, The Conflict in the Middle East: Israel's Perspective, was followed by a lively question and answer period.
Earlier that day, a representative from MASA presented all of its program options. MASA offers semester and yearlong programs to Jewish youth across the world, including Canada, in more than 160 areas, ranging from university study to volunteering at Magen David Adom. As well on that Wednesday, a third speaker helped commemorate Yom Hazikaron.
For those less politically inclined, the next night was Israel 60 Club Night, where about 120 students showed up to "party like it's 1948" at Mine Bar, in the heart of the student union building. Israeli themed with Israeli music, the event was not limited to the Jewish student body.
The celebrations were capped off by a Great Britain, Great Israel Friday Night Fever (FNF) Shabbat dinner. The FNF is a triannual event in Leeds, which attracts more than 200 members and, last week, it was especially themed with a mixture of British and Israeli dishes.
Leeds JSoc president Maxim Kikoler said, from all of the activities throughout the week, the educational part is very important. The stall on campus was primarily set up to raise awareness that it is Israel's 60th anniversary and to counter the abundance of misinformation available to students. Leading up to Israel Week, Kikoler said he was slightly concerned about disturbances during the festivities, but not to a large extent.
"Until the actual Middle East conflict is itself pacified and resolved, there's always going to be offshoots and it's very likely, in the case of university, that opposition will flourish because this the time and place where most people become the most politically minded and [are] open with their opinions," said Kikoler. "I wouldn't say I'm worried, but I'm prepared for some opposition."
Throughout the year, across the country, there is security at all Jewish events, whether on campus, at synagogues or stadiums. Unlike in Canada, where security for most events and congregations is organized by the individual groups involved, in England there is a national network and the work is taken very seriously. As well, Kikoler said they are always cautious about who they let in.
"We have a very strong membership, but newcomers are always background checked because we always have to be careful – which I wish we didn't have to do, but we live in a society where people have strong opinions and like to let them be known."
However, this doesn't affect the average student attending events. Prior to the recent celebrations, Kikoler said, "to be honest, people won't really be so apprehensive in regards to the security question; it won't even occur to them."
Eva Cohen is a Canadian freelance writer, who is currently in England.
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