The tragedies of the summer of 2014 in Israel began with the abduction and murder of three Israeli children, Eyal, Gilad and Naftali. Though the vast majority of Jews across the world had no direct connection to the boys, we…
Taste of Torah: Building the mishkan of life
Written by Kerry Chaplin, Hillel at UCLA Rabbinic Intern Anyone else looking for a job right now? A post-university job? A summer job? An internship? Me too. And it’s hard. Each position requires research, writing a cover letter, and reworking…
Brace yourselves, winter quarter is ending
Finals week is upon us, and stress is in the air. Nights in Powell and YRL feel a lot like massive sleepovers — except instead of fun, they are filled with deep regret and self-doubt. Around this time last quarter,…
Resolution condemning anti-Semitism passes at UCLA with 12-0-0 vote
On Tuesday, Mar. 10, UCLA’s Undergraduate Students Association Council voted on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism. The resolution was drafted by leaders in the Jewish Bruin community, and gained support via signatures from 17 organizations across campus — including Hillel at…
Kosher Korner: Cholent from the Yishuv
Background: Throughout our history, Jewish communities across the world have developed slow-cooked stews in order to have warm food on Shabbat without violating its laws. Ashkenazi Jews developed Cholent, and Sephardic Jews came up with similar stews like Chamin and…
Ask Rebecca #1: Relationships, recommendations and politics
People tend to love my honest opinion and unique persona, although at times my outspoken personality has gotten me in trouble. I enjoy expressing my thoughts and helping others; thus, I have decided to create a column in which I…
Purim costumes at UCLA!
As the story of Purim goes, the Jewish people had to conceal their Jewish identities, thus explaining one of reasons why we adorn ourselves with costumes on Purim. Regardless of the reason, who doesn’t love a good dress-up party? On…
Taste of Torah: The golden calf and blind decision making
Written by Devorah Friedman, Ha’Am’s External Managing Editor This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tisa, begins with the completion of the Tabernacle and ends with a description of Moses’ relationship to G-d and his devotion to the people he led through…
New UCPD policy inspired by Jewish holiday of Purim
Inspired by the holiday of Purim, the University of California Police Department has implemented a new test to determine student driver intoxication levels. The new policy, which goes into effect Friday, will have an officer showing students side-by-side photos of…
The Book of Esther and what makes a Jewish hero
In the Torah, a hero is not someone who chooses to do precisely what he or she wants to do as an individual, not someone who never does wrong, and certainly not someone who never errs. In the Torah, a…