Journalism by Jewish college students, for Jewish college students.
The Talmud refers to Elisha ben Abuyah as acher, “other.” He is a public violator of Shabbat, obviously not condoned by the Talmudic Rabbis. Yet Rabbi Meir, a central Talmudic figure, is said to have gone to great lengths to “learn Torah from [ben Abuyah’s] mouth.” The rejection by most Orthodox Jews today of interactions…
The other night, here at Drew University, a number of organizations came together for a screening of a film called “Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean.” The film is about a profitable farmer-run coffee co-op in Uganda, run by a group of Muslim, Jewish and Christian farmers. One of the leaders of this…
Concerns have grown from the Egyptian revolutions about the country’s priceless antiquities. Despite Zahi Hawass’s assurances that many items have remained safe, it appears much has been damaged. Egypt also has invaluable Jewish sites, like the synagogue at Alexandria, but these are not mentioned in the media as much. During all the chaos, what has…
An amazing blog post by Dr. Sarina Chen at the Jerusalem Post encapsulates the central problem with how many people–and many college students–talk about Israel. Some, particularly those who have been on Birthright, see Israel as a spiritual wonderland where everything is perfect and the state is infallible. Others, conversely, view Israel solely through the lens of the…
Read part one here The sounds were piercing sometimes, shrill even, hitting high dissonant tones that were mocking any tacked-on western harmonies. This wasn’t strummy guitar music, or beery St. Patricks day music. This was realer than that. Klezmer straddles the line between Eastern and Western. Usually it has the harmonic chords and 4/4 feel…
If it’s costing this much, maybe not. [USA Today College] The Israeli press is all over Hillel. [Hillel Blog] The head of a right-wing Israeli activist group worked for a company that does business with Iran. [Ha’aretz] Day schools need a different approach to teaching Israel, writes Gary Rosenblatt. [JW] Archaeologists have found what may…
Not everyone has been feeling the love recently, despite the presence of flowers and chocolate for Valentine’s Day. One Jewish cultural center in Toronto is presumably feeling particularly icy. After a recent event which featured anti-Zionist speaker Hajo Meyer, the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) has cut ties with the Winchevsky Centre. Defining itself as a…
With Valentine’s Day upon us once again, I, for the first time have a man I love to call my valentine. He and I share so many interests: a love of jazz, classical, and rock music; a passion for outdoor activities like hiking and climbing; unappeasable academic curiosity; and a soft spot for animals. I…
Adi Nes sways when he replies to someone, inclined towards the questioner with the smooth motion of a broken wave rolling forward. There is such an unassuming gentleness to his posture it’s hard to believe this Israeli, with his sleepy smile can count Elton John among the ranks of his patrons. He is one of…
Egypt, revolution, blah, blah, blah. Also, other things are happening. But, if you want to read Egypt news, go check out Marc Tracy’s link roundups at The Scroll. [The Scroll @ Tablet] I am in love with Natalie Portman and I want to have her beautiful, smart Jewish Harvard babies. Also, according to this piece,…
Move over, Maccabeats. Coming from AEPi and ZBT with their Blackberries, Gucci bags, designer clothes and leggings, the Jews of Michigan rock their cultural materialism in “Pursuit of Jappiness,” a paean to all of those Jewish American Princes(ses) on campus. Will most of the organized Jewish world look at this as another sign that young Jews…
As the Religious Chair of a small-ish sized Hillel at Miami University of Ohio, I hear the word “pluralism” frequently. And I too am guilty of branding our Hillel as pluralistic. “We have a pluralistic minyan,” I tell prospective students. But despite my dependency on the term, I question whether a pluralistic minyan is possible,…
Tim Cohen, senior VP of Hillel, wants you to know that the Jews are under attack. Beware, there are protestors. And, apparently, their most disruptive tactic is to tape their mouths shut and sit in their seats–then walk out. Also, Hillel needs more money. We at New Voices got one of those annoying form fundraising…