Mules for Israel is Muhlenberg’s pro-Israel organization which often educates students at Muhlenberg about different issues going on within the country. With talk of war and conflict, the members of this organization thought it was important to engage the Muhlenberg community with more positive talk of Israel by educating through cultural practices.
“I know sometimes people can be turned off by Israel and the politics, but I think it’s important for people to know that conflict isn’t the only thing characterizing the region,” said Maia Brint, ‘20, an active member of Mules for Israel.
“I know sometimes people can be turned off by Israel and the politics, but I think it’s important for people to know that conflict isn’t the only thing characterizing the region,”
How did the organization accomplish this goal of creating an approachable and educational environment regarding Israel? They provided a hookah event on the lawn Oct. 9, 2018.
A hookah is a type of pipe that people in the Middle East often smoke. It can come in many different flavors such as apple, cherry, licorice and cappuccino. It is specially made for a certain type of tobacco.
“Basically I’ve been trying to focus my events for Mules for Israel more on the culture, and hookah is a really big part of the culture in the Middle East in general, not just Israel,” said Brint. “Although it is still a huge part of the culture of Israel and you see it almost everywhere you go, at bars, in the streets and at home. We also tried to incorporate more aspects specific to Israeli cultures, such as coffee and Moroccan style Israeli music.”.
Nevertheless, she planned the hookah on the lawn event. Her goal was to create an environment in Allentown that resembled one of Israel.
“Typically, the Student Government Association (SGA) will give us the funding for events, but they did not approve this event,” said Brint, who chalked it up to it being an event involving tobacco use, although she is not certain. “Thankfully I received an anonymous donation from some people in the Jewish community of the Lehigh Valley and that has helped to cover the costs.”
Although this event was not backed by the SGA, the students on campus seemed to enjoy it. Many students who are not members of Mules for Israel attended the event and some people who were simply walking by came to check it all out. Brint believes this event was a success.
