Archive for February, 2009CJL Announcements - 2/27Friday, February 27th, 2009As everybody knows it was “preliminary examinations week”, a.k.a. “prelims week”. Naturally during this period of heightened stress and pressure, tension between professors and students reach a near boiling point. Many students feel as though the tests are disproportionately more difficult than the homework. Earlier this week, the Student Assembly placed 1.6 million toothpicks in the Arts-Quad to represent each student who has ever attended Cornell and has disliked prelims. Many students are not only protesting to Cornell President David Skorton, but also United States of America President, Barack Obama. S.A. vice-premier, Phil Dimdop, said “In his quasi-State of the Union Obama promised everything: the cure to cancer, peace in the Middle East, reduction of the deficit, and the elimination of all paper cuts. We feel as though he should also abolish prelims.” This week’s shoutout goes Yigal Gross for breaking the Cornell record of 10 letters to the editor in the span of 6 weeks. Darfur Israel Charity ShabbatThe Center for Jewish Living will be leading a fundraiser to help Darfur refugees in Israel. We are asking everybody, be it student, community member, or alumnus to pledge a small amount of money for every student who attends Shabbat dinner on April 3rd. The sum can be as little as a penny per person or as much as you want. The money we receive will go to an organization in Israel that assists Darfur refugees. The CJL will advertise this Shabbat extensively to bring in as many people as possible, thus raising more money, bringing more people into the Kosher Dining Hall, and increasing the broader Cornell community’s awareness of Israel outside the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Please make your pledge at http://www.cornellcjl.com/charityshabbat.php For more information and to receive the full letter detailing the program please contact Nathan Cohen at ntc9@cornell.edu or nathantcohen@gmail.com Shabbat Dinner at 104 West!Come be a part of our warm, friendly community at 104 West!, this and every Friday Night! Check-in 6:15PM Dinner 6:45 PM After dinner come over to the CJL to have a few L’Chaims, see your old friends, and meet some new ones. Matanot L’EvyonimIn order to facilitate the fulfillment of the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim, the CJL Shul will collect money and send it to Od Yosef Chai, an organization that distrubutes tzedakah to poor people in Israel. In order to ensure that we actually fulfill the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim on Purim itself, please give your donation (cash or check to Od Yosef Chai) to Jacob Meisler no later than Friday, February 27th (today). Jewish Genetic TestingThe Jewish Genetic Disease Consortium (JGDC) is arranging an awareness and screening event at Cornell on March 11th (the Wednesday before Spring Break) to help test as many people possible! Come to the Art Gallery in Willard Straight between the hours of 10am and 4pm. to get tested. Please pre-register on line at www.jewishgenetictest.org/cornell and have your insurance information ready. If you do not have insurance or are not covered then there is a reduced rate for the screening. Your results are completely confidential! All students and faculty are welcome! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact nab43 or jsj28. Hebrew HangoutIf you’re reading this e-mail you’re probably Jewish. If you’re Jewish you probably at least have some interest in the Hebrew language. If you have any interest in Hebrew come to the Hebrew Hangout! Come to the Kosher Dining Hall on Tuesday’s at 6:00pm to converse, critique, and mock in the Hebrew language! Prefrosh ShabbatonThe CJL will be hosting a Shabbaton for prospective students (both juniors and seniors) the weekend of April 3rd-5th. If you know of any high schoolers who might be interested in coming to learn more about Jewish life at Cornell, please get them in touch with Aaron Levy (al489). Also if you know of anyone who will be driving into Ithaca for that weekend and will have room to transport some local prefrosh, please let Aaron know. Mitzvah Day 2009The annual Mitzvah Day/Repair the World is coming up on Sunday April 19th. For those of you who don’t know, Mitzvah Day is Hillel’s day of community service, similar to Into the Streets. There is a lot of planning to do and a lot of available jobs- big and small depending on how much time you would like to commit. If you are interested in joining the committee or simply forming a team please email Rachel Herold (rah65@cornell.edu). We will be meeting THIS WEEKEND to start planning! Thank you! ShiurimAllison Fischler and Emily Issacs will be hosting a 2 week miniseries on Sexuality in Rabbinic Literature with Rabbi Jason Leib! Story Time with the Leibs - Pizza and learning every other Sunday night (next one 2/29) at 8:30 pm at the Leibs home, 210 Lake St. Apt. 2B Shul TimesFriday, February 27: Reform - 5:15 PM (ATH Founders Room) Dinner (check-in) - 6:15 PM (104 West!) Saturday, February 28: Mincha/Maariv Next Week - 5:45 PM CJL Announcements - 2/13Friday, February 13th, 2009Cream Cheese in the Bagel HoleDear Dr. Loovenmacher, Dear John S., This week’s shout out goes to Jacob Meisler for almost developing a sense of humor. 104 West! Side Story Shabbat DinnerCome be a part of our warm, friendly community at 104 West!, this and every Friday Night!
Reserve now at https://edining.campuslife.cornell.edu/kosher30/ and pay only one meal swipe! Check-in 6:15PM Dinner 6:45 PM After dinner come over to the CJL to have a few L’Chaims, see your old friends, and meet some new ones. Melaveh MalkaThe CJL will be a melaveh malkah full of singing, live music, eating, and chassidic stories in the CJL Piano Room Saturday night at 7:30PM. Eskimo BBQJoin us at 10:30 Saturday night in the CJL courtyard for one of the CJL’s world famous Eskimo BBQs where you have to try to finish your burger or hotdog before getting frostbite. All are welcome. Beer TastingThe biweekly CJL beer tasting class will continue this Wednesday at 8PM in the CJL Library. Please note that it is illegal to drink alcohol if you are under 21. Matanot L’EvyonimIn order to facilitate the fulfillment of the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim, the CJL Shul will collect money and send it to Od Yosef Chai, an organization that distrubutes tzedakah to poor people in Israel. In order to ensure that we actually fulfill the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim on Purim itself, please give your donation (cash or check to Od Yosef Chai) to Jacob Meisler no later than Friday, February 27th. Shiurim“The Israeli Elections: What Exactly Went On Over There” - Chana Leib, Shabbat 11:45 AM (CJL Piano Room) We will be continuing our 2 week mini-series on various hot topics related to Judaism. The second mini-series will be held on February 10th and 17th, and is hosted by Amy Pearlman. The topic will be “Hell from a Different Perspective.” Questions or suggestions? Please call Chana at 847-347-7082. Story Time with the Leibs - Pizza and learning every other Sunday night (next one 2/22) at 8:30 pm at the Leibs home, 210 Lake St. Apt. 2B Shul TimesFriday, February 13: Orthodox - 5:17 PM (ATH Edwards Room) Dinner (check-in) - 6:15 PM (104 West!) Saturday, February 14: Mincha/Maariv Next Week - 5:25 PM Israel Advocacy on CampusTo The Cornell Jewish and Pro-Israel communities, As most of you are surely aware, over the past couple weeks, the situation in Gaza has turned into a hot-button topic on campus. Numerous columns and letters to the editor have appeared in the Sun and, just this week, the Islamic Alliance for Justice constructed an exhibit on the Arts Quad of 1,300 black flags in memory of the Palestinian and Israeli deaths in Gaza. This display was accompanied by signs that placed most of the blame and wrong on Israel. We believe that this demonstration is inappropriate for multiple reasons. The signs contain misleading statements that are easily taken out of context, and in some cases, are simply untrue. This type of irresponsible discourse is not productive, and so CIPAC and Hillel are currently working on a deliberate, appropriate, inclusive, and respectful – but, at the same time, strong and highly visible – response. We write to you in the hopes that you will share your opinions and thoughts with us in the coming days as we put together a response. We want to be as inclusive as possible and want all those who support Israel and desire peace in the region to feel as if they are being represented. We want to rise above the polarization inherent in the recent Arts Quad display by showing that all Israel has ever wanted is to live in peace with her neighbors. We know that emotions in the pro-Israel community are running high, but, even with that being the case, we strongly condemn all those who have engaged in damaging the IAJ exhibit. We all have a right to freedom of expression that should not be taken lightly, and it is inappropriate and wrong to destroy the exhibit. Also, besides being wrong, the destruction does nothing but give Israel supporters everywhere a bad name. Instead, we hope that you will channel your feelings into productive action by sharing your thoughts with us and by participating in the impending response. We know that the response of the Jewish and pro-Israel communities is certainly time-sensitive, but we will not act overly quickly or rashly to the detriment of a meaningful, well-conceived response. Knowing the strength of the Jewish and pro-Israel communities at Cornell, with all of your support, our united response will be overwhelming. We would like every concerned member of the community to email us (as many already have) with anything from thoughts, to specific ideas or courses of action, to simply an email notifying us that you would like to help in any way you can. We promise that every email and idea will be carefully read and considered as the response is formulated and every one of you who wishes to be, will be aware of the response in the coming days so that you can help in any way you choose. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us — we are here to represent you and make sure your voices are heard. Our emails are saa38@cornell.edu and jls294@cornell.edu. Thank you for your time in handling this very delicate and important issue. Sincerely, Jacob Shapiro – President, Hillel Shai Akabas – President, CIPAC Saturday, February 7th, 2009“Cream Cheese in the Bagel Hole: Relationship Advice for Desperate Jews.” Dear Dr. Loovenmacher, Dear Very Tired in Sheldon, Dear Dr. Loovenmacher, Dear Single in Beta, This week’s shout-out goes to the CJL annex for being inhabitable once more! Shabbat Dinner at 104 West!****************************************NEXT WEEK 104 WEST SIDE STORY SHABBAT*********************************************************** Come be a part of our warm, friendly community at 104 West!, this and every Friday Night! Check-in 6:15PM Dinner 6:45 PM After dinner come over to the CJL to have a few L’Chaims, see your old friends, and meet some new ones. Crafts and a Movie Nights-Wednesdays @ 7:00pmStarting this Wednesday the CJL will be running Crafts and a Movie Night every other Wednesday night at 7:30pm. This week, in preparation for next Shabbos, well be showing West Side Story and finger painting. Matanot L’EvyonimIn order to facilitate the fulfillment of the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim, the orthodox minyan will collect money and send it to Od Yosef Chai, an organization that distributes tzedakah to poor people in Israel. In order to ensure that we actually fulfill the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim on Purim itself, please give your donation (cash or check to Od Yosef Chai) to Jacob Miesler no later than Friday, February 27th. Shabbat TimesFriday, February 6: Orthodox - 5:08 PM (ATH Edwards Room) Dinner (check-in) - 6:15 PM (104 West!) Saturday, February 7: Mincha/Maariv Next Week - 5:15 PM (CJL Shul) |