Journalism by Jewish college students, for Jewish college students.
Visiting Israel for the first time from my study abroad program in Amman, Jordan, was not how I imagined my first trip to Israel would materialize. This is partially due to the fact that I drove across the Jordanian-Israeli border to get there and that I was the only Jewish person in the group. I…
Atoning my sins in Amman, Jordan was certainly very different than my past Yom Kippurs. I did not buy a new outfit for services; I did not have plans for breaking the fast. Instead, I observed Yom Kippur without anyone else in my presence even knowing it. Jerusalem is roughly 45 miles away from Amman,…
One of the most famous poems expressing the devastation of the Holocaust comes from Pastor Martin Niemoller: THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. THEN THEY CAME for the Jews, 
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
…
Obviously, technology has changed ancient traditions as it has evolved over the years. Jews who are accustomed to observing the Sabbath by giving up the use of electronics now face greater challenges. Last Saturday (March 20) Reboot held the first annual National Day of Unplugging. On this day, Reboot encouraged thousands of younger Jews to…
Yesterday marked the 99th International Women’s Day, a holiday that celebrates the achievements across the globe by ambitious, successful women in a variety of fields. Since gender disparities are a hot topic amongst international cultures, I really support this holiday and believe it is important to recognize. Since forming early in the 20th century, International…
Though many critics say the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics was not as extravagant as Beijing’s in 2008, it still had some memorable occurrences, even for Jews. If you happened to watch it, you might have noticed that Iran and Israel were marching nearby each other. While some news sources say this…
J.D. Salinger, the renowned American author, passed away January 27, 2010. Like many other individuals, I am a big fan of A Catcher in the Rye, his most famous work. Salinger is a literary figure recognized for the sense of timelessness in his writing. Since I admire him so much as an author, upon seeing…
Challah seems to be the first food that runs out at the Shabbat dinners at Franklin & Marshall’s Hillel. While the rest of the meal is catered, the challah is handmade by students and faculty earlier in the day. Each table gets one plain challah and one sprinkled challah, both of which are braided. It…
As young people of this generation are often reminded, we should appreciate speaking to survivors of the Holocaust while they are still around. While it may be common for people to know about the Holocaust from their history classes over the years, there are those of us who are fortunate enough to have heard first-hand…
Well, David Brooks’ op-ed piece in the New York Times today certainly made me feel special. “The Tel Aviv Cluster†discusses the extraordinary achievements of Jews in the past, particularly those in Israel. However, not only does it discuss the achievements of Jews, but it also discusses the potential of future Jewish generations. Brooks mentions…
While home for winter break from college, I have been able to watch a lot more television than usual. Most recently, I have been enthralled by MTV’s Jersey Shore. While the show portrays the lives of a group of friends living at the Jersey Shore (in Seaside Heights), it fools viewers because none of the…
Regardless of religious affiliation, it is common for people to feel guilt during the holiday season. From all of the money one tends to spend on gifts to the cold weather that triggers minds to think of the homeless people, there are all sorts of wintery moments that trigger guilt. Even if you don’t feel…
I am a sister of Chi Omega’s Phi Lambda chapter at Franklin & Marshall College. I was inspired to write this entry because my chapter recently held Chanukah and Christmas celebrations. We have a “point system†to ensure sisters attend enough events throughout the semester (if not, then the sister’s ability to go to formal…
Around this time of the year most college students are extremely stressed with studying for finals and writing final papers. Though college students are already infamously labeled for their poor nutrition consisting of fatty food and alcohol (both to excess), Chanukah gives Jews an excuse to embrace gluttony—like we need one?! I know, HAHA—with oily,…