A history of symbolic violence It does not appear coincidental that a recent rise in rhetoric leveled against Jews across the world has coincided with a devaluation of the term anti-Semitism. Jews often use the term not only to describe…
Chai On Life — an alternative Shabbat experience
On a beautiful Saturday morning, most Southern Californians like to take advantage of the first day of the weekend by heading out for a rewarding and calming hike, and UCLA sophomore Noah Lizerbram feels no differently. For Lizerbram, however, experiencing…
Achy Breaky Heart fundraiser raises thousands for charitable organizations
Photos by Andrew Rosenstein This past Thursday evening, Bruins for Israel and GlobeMed at UCLA partnered up for their fourth annual Achy Breaky Heart fundraiser, a Valentine’s Day themed event to raise money for two health organizations — Save a…
“UCSA, you do not represent us”
This past Sunday morning, students from across the UC campuses gathered at UCLA’s Tom Bradley International Hall for the University of California Student Association’s divestment hearing. Two resolutions called for the UC Regents to divest from American companies which some…
Speaking different languages, hearing nothing at all
Have you ever had difficulty trying to find the right words to say? Language allows us to communicate with one another but also tends to limit our ability to say what we mean and mean what we say. It is…
Thought Lounge: resuscitating a tradition of dialogue
One of our richest cultural inheritances is the Talmud. Its roughly 6,200 pages consists of rabbinic folklore, customs, history, ethics, philosophy and law, oftentimes moving between these topics in the span of a sentence. Since I went to private Jewish…
A “not so special relationship,” but a surprising impartiality
As murmurs in Hebrew permeated the room and the predominantly sprightly, older crowd found their seats, it became quickly evident that this event would exude a vibrant energy. Hosted by the UCLA Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and entitled “Not…
Charlie Hebdo and the past, present and future of French Jewry
This past Monday night, UCLA students held a vigil for the victims of the Charlie Hebdo and Hyper Cacher grocery store shootings, as well as for the policewoman who was killed in a related shooting. 8:30 p.m. found about 70…
Campus rabbis: the mensches and martyrs of UCLA
Growing up, I belonged to a synagogue with two rabbis — one senior rabbi and one associate rabbi. I was close with one of them, but mainly because we studied together in the weeks leading up to my bat mitzvah.…
Batsheva Dance Company at Royce Hall: dancing with the ground, falling to the stars
The chitter-chatter dies abruptly. The lights dim, except for up front. If you are not in your seat, rush back to it. Make sure your cell phone is shut off, or at least set to silent mode. You’ve probably forgotten…