Cobblestone paths and narrowly winding streets. Freshly painted yellow buildings and crumbling courtyards boarded up in disrepair. Vilnius, summer 2012, or as the Yiddish speaking Jewish population called it prior to World War II, Vilna, the Jerusalem of Lithuania. Ten…
Ultra-Orthodox Jews, unemployment rates, and the Israeli economy
As Americans and inevitable participants in this country’s financial infrastructure, we are all acutely aware of the unforgiving crisis engulfing the economy of the United States and spreading to the rest of the world. In the wake of the ailing…
‘Outfitters’ of outrage: Urban Outfitters sells ‘Holocaust t-shirt’ and offends
Popular retailer Urban Outfitters is known for catering to the so-called ‘hipster’ culture, and it does so by incorporating influences from past decades into their vintage, bohemian, and retro clothing lines. According to the company’s website, Urban Outfitters’ “established ability…
The Olive Tree Initiative’s ‘Month of Ideas’: conflict education through humor, food, and constant debate
Throughout the month of May, the Olive Tree Initiative at UCLA planned a series of events aimed at educating the campus community and offering a forum for civil discourse and debate about international conflict resolution. These events attracted students of…
Answering the call: Jerusalem Online U as a supplementary education for college students and beyond
The Problem: anti-Semitism on American university campuses In order to make life a little simpler and to make sense of a chaotic world, humans subconsciously overlook pressing problems, preventing themselves from seeing the harsh reality in front of them and…
Reading Yeshayahu Leibowitz: a Jewish philosophy for the twenty-first century
Questions about Judaism’s place within Israeli society have been around since before the existence of the Jewish state, but there have been few coherent answers put forward. One of the most outspoken voices on this issue, as well as others…
Sikhs, Semites, and the Ignorance Problem
VIDEO: Fox Host Asks About Anti-Semitism At Sikh Temple Following the shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin on Sunday, Fox News host Gregg Jarrett asked a nephew of one of the victims, “Have there been any prior acts of violence against…
Berman v. Sherman: Which Jew will take the 30th district?
Here’s a link to our cheat sheet on the differences and similarities between Congressmen Brad Sherman and Howard Berman — two incumbent Jews vying for California’s 30th District (San Fernando Valley): >>Sherman vs. Berman<<
Center for Jewish Studies: Spring 2012 Course Listing
Click here to see the upcoming courses offered by the UCLA Center for Jewish Studies!