Leonard Cohen once wrote, “there’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” It’s impossible to find a silver lining on the anniversary of the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Shoah. But UCLA’s community is a source…
The Hunt for LA’s Best Kosher Challah
By Jonas Holdaway, Jacob Pearl, and Alex Rubel “Let them eat Challah” — a French princess once famously opined. For us, the real question is: which one? To find out, our team took to the Jewish neighborhoods of Los Angeles…
No Room for Israel: How the “Drop Hillel” Movement Misses the Mark on Judaism
Since 1923, Hillel has been a safe haven for Jewish students where they can worship, learn, grow, and have a Jewish space away from home. As the largest Jewish organization serving college campuses, Hillel has been there for Jews throughout…
Are Gen-Z ‘Activists’ Protesting or Performing?
In the sweltering summer of 1983, Seneca Falls, New York—a town steeped in the legacy of women’s rights—once again became a crucible of protest. Ten thousand women from around the world set up camp there, where they would remain for…
From Shul to the Polls: Ha’Am’s Election Day Playlist
Political pundits and undergraduate students have dubbed today, “the most important election in recent memory.” From multiple assassination attempts to Biden stepping down before the convention to never looking at cats the same way, it’s been a whirlwind campaign season.…
Combating Antisemitism: A Bipartisan Failure
In a year where violent anti-Israel protests have dominated the news, any Presidential candidate would hypothetically be jumping at the chance to win over the most targeted group: Jewish voters. For the past century, American Jews have consistently voted Democratic.…
Dear Undecided Jewish Voters…
With the most pivotal election of our times rapidly approaching, you’d think everyone would be sprinting to cast their ballots come November 5th. This sadly couldn’t be further from the truth. The majority of Jewish students I come across are…
Inclusivity Excluded: Disabled, Jewish Student Highlights Lack of Accommodation at Cultural Affairs Event
In a room with a sign proudly proclaiming ‘no isms/phobias,’ one student found herself excluded for precisely the thing the event vowed to fight against, ableism. But for a disabled Jewish student, this wasn’t just ironic; it was routine. On…
Protesters Defy UC-wide Encampment Ban as Ben Shapiro Event Sparks Controversy at UCLA
Just months after a UC-wide ban on encampments, anti-Israel students at UCLA set up tents in Dickinson Court North at 6:30 pm on Oct. 21, alongside a Gaza solidarity Sukkah— a religious structure that traditionally commemorates the Jewish exodus from…
The Evolution of the Rophe: How the Power of Healing Transfers from God to Man in Jewish Tradition
As the followers of the world’s first monotheistic religion, the Israelites placed resolute emphasis on God’s omnipotence, especially within the domain of healing. The descendants of ancient Israel continued to observe Hebrew law and tradition, but refined their interpretations of…