Tufts students' interests in Middle Eastern, Arab or Jewish issues - whether religious, political or cultural -- are served through on-campus groups. These include:
Friends of Israel
A TCU-Senate sponsored political organization that aims to inform students about Israeli culture, society and politics, Friends of Israel "believes in the right of the state of Israel to exist as a sovereign, secure and free state equal among all other states," said sophomore Samantha Goldman, president of the organization.
Goldman said the group serves as a "conduit" between Tufts students and the State of Israel. "We want to ensure a politically pluralistic environment in our support for Israel," Goldman said, adding that the group is a resource for Israeli students and all types of Zionist education.
"We try to educate the Tufts community to promote the acceptance of the State of Israel and to combat anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and other forms of intimidation," Goldman said.
Friends of Israel's philosophy embraces other organizations on campus to create "a constructive and harmonious environment," according to Goldman. "[We] encourage a peaceful future for all peoples of the Middle East."
Hillel
This private, not-for-profit organization serves as the center for Jewish life on campus through its programs and community-building. The mission statement from the Hillel website explains that, "[Hillel] provides a strong community that enriches the lives of our Jewish students and the University as a whole and that enables members of these communities to come together in an atmosphere welcoming to all."
Other goals, according to Hillel's mission statement, include preparing Jewish students to be "active and responsible members of the larger community," and to provide an environment for students to grow "religiously, socially and ethically."
Hillel's objective includes encouraging Jewish students to grow in their love for Israel "and in community with other Jews, with respect for other faiths."
Mara Judd, student executive board president of Hillel, said that the organization connects to its Arab and Muslim friends on campus. "Interfaith programming is a priority of ours at Hillel, and we look to continue it," Judd said.
"By reaching as many people as possible, we hope to foster a sense of understanding and respect on campus," she added. "Given the conflicts in the world today, I believe it's especially important that we start here on the college level by educating people with the right facts and understanding that there are two sides to every story."
Arab Student Association (ASA)
A political and cultural student organization concerned with issues of the Middle East and the Arab World, "[the ASA] strives to disseminate as much information as it deems relevant for Tufts students to better understand all the nation-states and nations which make up the Arab World," states the organization's constitution.
The Arab Student Association's goals include increasing awareness of "political conflicts, social and economic developments and cultural strains unique to the Arab World," according to the group's website.
"Even for newcomers to the campus, it is very easy to see the ASA as nothing but a cultural group with a few politically charged events - nowhere close to the network of groups that Friends of Israel has, for example," ASA president Dan McDermott said.
The number of participating students from the ASA, however, is about equal to that of the Jewish side at the NIMEP discussions, according to McDermott.
Muslim Student Association at Tufts (MSAT)
A group committed to serving the needs of Muslim students at Tufts, and to promoting Islamic awareness and tolerance within the community and neighborhood.
According to the organization's website, the MSAT has a "proud history" of 15 years: "We set up a residential unit, the Muslim House, and an Islamic Center enabling all Muslims to pray five times a day and engage in any Islamic activity."
Eid parties, which attracted over 100 Muslim and non-Muslim students, along with Jumma prayers and Ramadan Iftar dinners, make up past MSAT activities.
The association also hosted Senator John Kerry's 2001 lecture at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, participated in intercollegiate MSA activities and hosted lectures, talks, and discussions on Islam.
Students interested in round table study of the Quran are encouraged to meet every Thursday night at 8 p.m. at the Islamic Center to read verses in Arabic and English and then discuss their meanings.
Joint activities with the Dean of Students office, Chaplain's office, Asian-American Center, Hillel and other groups on campus have further integrated Muslims into the community while maintaining an Islamic identity, according to the website.
New Initiative for Middle East Peace (NIMEP)
NIMEP, "a vision for the future," according to its website, intends to be a "resource and model for progressive research, discussion and engagement with the Middle East."
Creating a "vibrant educational environment conducive to respectful intellectual exchange," is a top priority, as is providing students with "unique opportunities for rigorous, immersive and experiential education."
NIMEP's on-campus programming involves guest speakers such as Professor Paul Scham, who gave a lecture entitled, "Historical Narratives and the Hope for Peace: A look at the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict."
Additionally, a spokesperson from JustVision.org, an NGO that seeks to educate the public on grassroots peace and Palestinian-Israeli co-existence projects, spoke recently at Tufts.
Travel is another key component. NIMEP has sent student delegates to Israel, Egypt, Iran, Turkey and other places for student-run research programs.
"Insights" is NIMEP's published journal on student research. Co-chair of the organization Alex Zerden said that NIMEP is in the process of producing its second volume this year.
