There is perhaps no decision more representative of the difficulties of being a practicing Jewish college student than the quintessential question of whether or not to attend class during Chag. To me, this is not a question of grades or…
Kosher Korner: Oatmeal, a brain-boosting breakfast
Friends and family members have often told me that I am a bit of a Trader Joe’s fanatic. Why not join the club? Just take a trip to the closest Trader Joe’s in town and you will find that they…
Henna around the world
This past Tuesday afternoon, the JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa) Organization hosted a henna event at UCLA Law School. Over food and henna drawing, attendees discussed the practice and meaning behind henna from numerous parts…
The view from Mitzrayim
The view from Mitzrayim (Egypt) was prettier than I had imagined as the sun set and as the ferry leaving from Larkspur Landing passed us on its way to San Francisco. A little over a mile away, the houses on…
The first annual Jewish graduation
This past March, Aaron Ebriani, a Bruin graduating this June, informed me that this year’s departmental commencement ceremonies fall on either Saturday (June 10th) or Sunday (June 11th). As fellow a Shabbat-observant Jew, he asked me to sign his petition…
Taking Shabbat backgammon to the tournament level
No Shabbat dinner at my uncle’s place is complete without a melodramatic backgammon game. Let me set the stage: Clicking sounds from the backgammon checkers hitting the backgammon board grow louder and louder as the checkers make their way around…
Shabbat: A time to look back and look forward
This article is dedicated to the boards of the Transfer Undergraduate Students at Hillel, Bruins for Israel and the Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus for all of their hard work and dedication. A special thank-you goes out to Hillel at…
An Orthodox Jew’s guide to UCLA
As someone who was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family and environment, attended Jewish kindergarten and day school from age two to 17, and then attended a learning-intensive girls seminary (also known as midreshah) for a year before starting UCLA, I…
Jessica’s Corner: Halva
Sweeten up your spring quarter with this recipe for halva, a tasty dessert Persian families often prepare for special occasions such as weddings, engagements, and conclusions of various Jewish holidays. Perhaps one of the tastiest parts of Persian cuisine is…
Jews and Bruins United: A parasitic relationship
Last week, the UCLA Undergraduate Student Association Council (USAC) elections resulted in a huge victory for the Bruins United “slate,” or campus political party, which secured nine of 14 spots on next year’s student council table. Bruins United has long benefited from…