Confronting the idea of being “chosen”

By mmoncaster April 12, 2011

I came across an article about the concept of Jews being the chosen people via the JTA website. It’s written by Aryeh Tepper, and attempts to tackle what can be one of the most puzzling aspects in Jewish tradition.  Tepper was spot on when he said that many modern Jews are almost ashamed of the…

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Reading List: “Settlers: The Video Game”

By David A.M. Wilensky April 12, 2011

Those crazy West Bank settlers have created a video game for us young people so we can have fun while learning to agree with the settlers. Right. [Tablet] The greatest bracket you will ever see is the annual Name of The Year competition, which I take very seriously. So let’s all give Shalom Dreampeace Compost…

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Let my people go…home

By jcohen April 12, 2011

This term, my parents and I put on our most stoic of faces and parted ways knowing that I, for the first time ever, would not be home for Passover. The three of us encouraged each other that this was the best of plans; I would be spending the first and second seder at school…

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The Reading List: “Is Israel an Apartheid State?” Student Edition

By Ben Sales April 11, 2011

Is Israel an apartheid state? This Israeli says it is. [Columbia Spectator] Meanwhile, a range of African-American students say that Israel is definitely not apartheid. [JPost] Sleep, a social life or good grades: In college, you can’t have them all. [Very Demotivational] But the creator of Dilbert thinks that you should forget academics and focus…

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Making Halacha Fun

By Laura Cooper April 10, 2011

I just bought two keyboards and some yarn, and it’s really brought out my creative side, which has been hidden away ever since I dropped out of art school and decided I hated that world. When I started studying philosophy, I swore off art. (No, really.) But now I think all I really need is…

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The Reading List: The Student View on Goldstone

By Ben Sales April 8, 2011

Students at Harvard say that the world’s military powers need to be more attentive to how they confront non-state actors in the wake of Judge Richard Goldstone’s recent retraction. [Harvard Crimson] This article on JVP should have quoted leaders from other groups involved in Israeli-Palestinian discourse. [Brandeis Justice] Yeshiva University’s neighborhood is the rat capital…

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What’s In Our Food?

By Carly Silver April 8, 2011

Note to those loving a good, salty nosh: it is okay to eat pickles. According to the Jewish Chronicle online, the “macrobiotic diet,” which combines a list of recommended foods and a “zen” lifestyle, can include pickles and other Jewish foods. Apparently, Jews have a long history of eating healthily. Poor Jews in Europe would…

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No news is good news, this isn’t that

By mekeisler April 8, 2011

Real talk, I hate Comcast. We pay 75$ a month for internet (which is way too much), and it only works around 75% of the time. That time did not include most of Thursday. When I call customer service to complain, they pretty much tell me to shut up. What else can I do? They…

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The J Street You Don’t Hear About

By Ben Sales April 6, 2011

A multiple-choice question for our readers: Last week, a  Jewish advocacy group sent an email to its supporters titled “Tell Obama: Go to Jerusalem.” Which group was it? a. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) b. The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) c. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) d. J Street As is obvious from…

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The Reading List: Yet Another “Just Had Sex” Parody

By Ben Sales April 6, 2011

Jewish A Cappella groups are going crazy with the videos. Above is the latest offering, from Kol Ish: “Just Had Chametz,” a parody of “Just Had Sex” that I like better than “Just Broke Shomer.” And here’s a video of an awesome Jewish student with two moms. And here’s a kid who’s extremely excited to…

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Dishing Up the Sweetest Pesach

By akinman April 6, 2011

Pesach just got sweeter. And no…I’m not just talking about my mother’s delicious chocolate torte she makes every Passover. Brought back by popular demand, I had to share the news. KOACH at UF just announced on Tuesday that they will be hosting their annual Chocolate Seder at UF Hillel right before the holiday festivities begin….

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A Jewish pioneer out west

By mmoncaster April 5, 2011

Vancouver turns 125 tomorrow, as April 6 marks the anniversary of the city’s incorporation. And way back in 1886, as Canada’s first transcontinental railroad tracks were laid in the area, a Jewish businessman from Germany arrived as well. Originally settling in Victoria, British Columbia, David Oppenheimer and his brothers used the province capital as headquarters…

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Debbie’s music

By jcohen April 5, 2011

Debbie Friedman’s music has always had a significant place in my life.  Her friendly verses taught me the Aleph-Bet and prayers said in services. My mom used to play her music at night to help me fall asleep. Even as recently as this summer, I grabbed my Walkman (yes, they still exist) and sang along…

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Hey, Jewish a cappella! Where’s the Rebecca Black parody?

By David A.M. Wilensky April 5, 2011

We at New Voices have become a little obsessed with Jewish college a capella recently. With all of the buzz/hate/fascinated disgust that Rebecca Black’s Friday video has been getting, we’ve been wondering, WHERE’S THE SHABBOS PARODY VIDEO?! Not that there no parody videos out there, but they’re all beyond terrible. They’re just more painful than the…

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Bloggers’ Round Table: Movement affiliation on campus?

By David A.M. Wilensky April 5, 2011

The Conservative movement recently unveiled its new strategic plan. The Reform movement recently announced the identity of its new leader. The Conservative strategic plan’s original draft would have killed Koach, the Conservative college group. Thanks to the efforts of a group of Koach members, the new version preserves it. Two years ago, a round of…

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