If you are reading this article, you are obviously aware that UCLA has its very own student-run Jewish newsmagazine, Ha’Am! Not many universities can brag about having their own Jewish newsmagazine. Contradictory to what some might believe in light of…
Taste of Torah: the importance of being distinct
Our Torah reading this week is the combined parshiyot of Acharei Mot and Kedoshim. Acharei Mot begins by recalling the tragic death of two of Aaron’s sons, which was recounted a few chapters prior: “And the Lord spoke to Moses…
A guide to Orthodox Jewish weddings
“You got another wedding invitation!” my brother yelled from the kitchen. I couldn’t believe it. It was the fifth one this year! All of a sudden I had this crazy feeling of déjà vu, and soon I realized…the last time…
Submission: Sofia Moreno Haq still fails to recognize her own anti-Semitism
(Photo courtesy of Daniel Alcazar / Daily Bruin) _____________________________________________ Written by Tammy Rubin, fourth-year human biology and society major, and Elyssa Schlossberg, fourth-year psychobiology major. Sometimes, the best response is a simple apology. On February 10th, 2015 in one of…
Madlibs: The Bear
Monday morning. ______(expletive). You _____(verb) yourself out of bed and head over to your _____(subject) class. Your breath smells like_____(smell) so you pop a _____(something that goes in your mouth). After class you head over to the Hillel to _____(activity)…
Imago Mundi
Illustration by M Moore __________________ As I zoomed away from the ancient city, I noticed a freeway extending where the 405 would be. It was called the 50 freeway. “That’s not right,” I thought. I googled “50 freeway Israel,” and…
USAC candidates’ intentions to represent the Jewish community
(Graphic courtesy of Madeleine Isaacs / Daily Bruin Senior Staff) ______________________________________ Following recent events surrounding the Undergraduate Students Association Council and the Jewish community, many Jewish students have felt marginalized and unrepresented by their student government. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions,…
Universality of the hamsa
In today’s world, we are engulfed by symbols that hold significant meaning, and some that are connected to beliefs and traditions that date back to thousands of years. The Hamsa, better known as “the hand,” serves as a universal symbol…
Taste of Torah: Rich man, poor man
Written by Akiva Nemetsky In the second of this week’s two Torah portions, Parashat Metzorah, we begin by reading about the purification process a metzorah (someone who is punished for speaking lashon ha’ra, denigrating speech) must undergo before being allowed…
Sorrow to festivities: the abrupt transition between Memorial Day and Independence Day in Israel
On Wednesday morning, the citizens of Israel woke up, drank their morning coffee, put on white shirts, and glanced at the candles their mothers, wives, or they themselves lit the night before. Perhaps the picture of the young soldier or…