As Israel becomes more and more enveloped in the consciousness of Jews around the world, I cannot help but question my view on what should come first, the Torah or the land. Tradition, and the laws that bind Jews to…
“Love Punk Rock, Hate Nazis”: How Punk Rock Mobilized Against Fascism and An Interview with Brian Brannon of JFA
Playlist to accompany ofc- https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3sqFbCB2Y5L0sQ4tr6Tsky NAZI PUNKS FUCK OFF! A hundred thousand punk rockers, adorned with anti-Nazi paraphernalia, band merchandise and crude denim jackets, walk seven miles through bustling Central London. Their march crosses key National Front strongholds. A masked…
Jewish World Series
There is a famous scene in the 1980s classic film Airplane, where an elderly woman asks the flight attendant for some “light reading.” Cleverly, the flight attendant hands her back a leaflet titled “famous Jewish sports legends.” From actors to…
“Off UCLA”: Jewish Resources, Organizations, and Events available during COVID-19
The pandemic has not only changed most students’ lives it has also changed the way Jewish communities on campus operate. Generally, pre-Covid, Jewish organizations such as; OU-JLIC, Hillel, Chabad and JAM would be a safe haven and a place for…
Life in Quarantine: Surviving the Zoomiverse
Welcome to the Zoomiverse, Bruins! By now you’ve probably figured out that this quarantine isn’t going anywhere (and—neither are you). That’s okay! We’re all in this together. It’s definitely tough navigating our new day-to-day world, but our HA’AM Team is…
How to Explain Judaism to Those Who Ask
“So, am I really going to Hell?” I asked, with the nonchalance of a person inquiring about the weather. It was a Monday, and I was walking back from class with my best friend, Samantha, who was Christian. She shifted…
Meaningful Clothes: Spiritual Attire Then and Now
When I was a kid, I wasn’t very enthusiastic about going to synagogue, but I especially hated having to get dressed up for temple. Putting on fancy clothes just reinforced the formality and discomfort of the whole experience. If prayer…
The American-Jewish Songbook: The Civil Rights Movement
When I think back to my earliest Jewish experiences, it’s hard not to think about music. Passover was the euphoria of “Dayenu”, Yom Kippur the devastating elegance of “Avinu Malkeinu”. I remember birthdays and bar mitzvahs and weddings–lots and lots…
10 Ways to Give Charity With an Empty Wallet
“Another GoFundMe.” You wonder aloud if you should dip into your savings. “Donate money to Wikipedia!” You close the tab and eye your wallet warily. Luckily, there are ways to give to others without spending an arm, a leg, and…
The Mishkan: A Lesson in Unity
The Midrash to Proverbs opens with a quote from the Book of Job: “Where can wisdom be found? Where is the source of understanding?” (Job 28:12). In the Midrash, Rabbi Tanhum ben Hanilai suggests that these questions refer to King…