University seniors Ryan Jaber and Josh Berman are a lot alike. They are both tall with a thick, lumberjack burliness that would make them look at home on a football or lacrosse field. Through face masks, you could even mistake them for brothers.

They are both thoughtful and natural leaders. They have risen to top positions in their respective groups - Jaber in the Lebanese Student Association, Berman in the American Movement for Israel.

They share similar concerns, like the importance of separating politics from humanitarian efforts, particularly in the wake of the violence in Lebanon.

Both of their groups are running ambitious - but separate - fundraising drives to help relieve the victims of this summer's conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant political group based in Lebanon. Jaber and Berman's goals are the same: to help the victims and to put money in the hands of those who care about people, not borders and politics.

An exchange of ideas and ideals

The Lebanese student group's program began with Tarek Ayna, an electrical engineering student from the American University of Beirut who interned at the University this past summer.

As reports of carnage in his native Lebanon swelled, Ayna was stunned and appalled.

"I had two options," he said. "Either weep and stay in shock, or try to do something about it."

He spoke with Susan Wilson, director of the Office of Student Activities and Leadership, who advised him to channel his efforts through an official student group. He contacted the Lebanese Student Association and began corresponding with Jaber.

Jaber, who is also an editorial cartoonist for The Michigan Daily, said planning was difficult at first.

"There was nobody really on campus. No vigils or support - the things a solid campus community would do," he said.

Mostly through e-mail, Ayna and Jaber brainstormed and coordinated fundraising strategies and activities. When Ayna left for Beirut and the fall semester began, Jaber and his group started to carry out what the two had planned.

So far the Lebanese group has managed to raise more than $1,000 by soliciting donations from fellow students, friends and family. They plan to continue and expand the drive, adding T-shirt sales, club nights and a Halloween dance.

Most of the money will go to the Lebanese Red Cross. Several other philanthropic groups - like CHF International, a nonprofit that provides youth employment training and small-business loans to impoverished communities in the Middle East - are still being considered for smaller donations.

"We're looking to get the best bang for our buck, the most reputable (organization)," Jaber said.

The group acknowledges that many Middle Eastern charities are facing intense scrutiny. With reports of FBI raids on Muslim relief groups hitting the news regularly, soliciting money for Lebanon can raise eyebrows that a drive for Hurricane Katrina victims would not.

"Everything is political over there," said Rhana Natour, community chair for the Lebanese group. "Some people may be suspect - 'Oh, you want money for this region or this region' - they want to know that it's going only to relief efforts."

This is not overly discouraging, she said. "Ultimately, the humanitarian interests are what override anything."

Despite the intensity of Middle Eastern political dialogue at the University, Natour and Jaber say the campus response has been overwhelmingly positive. A few vocal students have confronted members of the Lebanese group about their ideologies, Jaber said, but it happens rarely.

In the end, he said, "We're just a few students trying to see if you have any change to help someone build a house."

Across the border, across the Diag

The American Movement for Israel's program - known as the Michigan Invest in Israel Initiative, or Mi3 - began in April as a response to campus activists who were calling for the University to divest from Israel.

Mi3 is an attempt to show more productive and sustainable solutions for the region, board member Tamara Livshiz said.

"(We) donate money to organizations that promote co-existence and demonstrate constructive and productive change," she said.

Since this summer, AMI has been working with Magen David Adom - Israel's official emergency aid society. Livshiz volunteered with the society, which functions as the state's Red Cross, this past summer. While helping run ambulances, she witnessed the agency's commitment to cross-cultural aid firsthand. She was inspired to help further.

"We chose Magen David Adom because they serve and employ all people, Jews and Arabs alike," Livshiz said. "It shows a certain unity among the two peoples."

Mi3 has sponsored regular bar nights, raffles and other events. In November, they plan to bring an ambulance to the Diag to help raise money.