Despite centuries of hostility and animosity, it is always a refreshing endeavor to explore the many similar experiences and values shared by the Abrahamic faiths. Of central importance to all Abrahamic religions is the sanctity of the spoken and written…
Photo Essay: Yom Ha’Atzmaut 2014
Every year, Bruins for Israel organizes a Yom Ha’Atzmaut or Israel Independence Day celebration in Bruin Plaza (also known as i-Fest), and this year was no exception. In honor of Israel’s 66th birthday, BFI brought music, dance, shwarma, and info…
Jew-SAC Candidates: Jewish Identities and School Politics
If you have a Facebook account, then you are well aware that it is election season at UCLA. The Undergraduate Students Association Council — the governing body of the Undergraduate Students Association — annually holds elections Spring Quarter to elect…
Remembering the Unforgettable
An Encounter with the Past: After high school, I spent a year studying at a yeshiva in Israel. During one of the breaks I joined some of my peers on an organized trip to Poland, called Shorashim. Shorashim is the…
Israel refuses to take sides on Ukrainian crisis
While the maelstrom that has enveloped Russia-Ukraine relations continues to whirl, Israel has done its best to steer clear of the fray. The Jerusalem Post reported Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s statement on the matter: “[Israel’s] basic position is that…
The Purpose of Freedom: The Mitzvah of Counting the Omer
Just last week, we waved goodbye to Passover, the holiday of Jewish freedom and redemption. But after all this talk of freedom, I feel like I’m still eating matzah. And I’m not just talking about leftover matzah brei. The slave…
BFI President-Elect Reflects and Looks Forward
The divestment bill most recently proposed to the Undergraduate Student Association Council on Feb. 25 significantly impacted the dynamics of Bruins for Israel; Eytan Davidovits, the newly-appointed president of the Israel advocacy club on campus, aims to alter those dynamics…
Is Israel’s tourism industry poised to take off?
As Passover slowly ebbs into its remaining days, it is worth noting that on three specific Jewish holidays — Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot — Jewish law dictates that one should pilgrimage to the city of Jerusalem. For many contemporary Jews,…
TBT: The history of Chad Gadya and Passover
In honor of Passover and the Internet sensation of dedicating Thursdays to past experiences, I took to Ha’Am’s archives to find an article that our predecessors wrote about this fine holiday. The following article, “Chad Gadya: Not Just for Passover,”…
Photo Essay: Joe Bruin’s Bear Mitzvah
On Thursday, April 10, The Hillel at UCLA celebrated Joe ‘Dov’ Bruin’s B(e)ar Mitzvah in Kerkoff Grand Salon. Hillel’s a cappella group, Jewkbox, began the ceremony with their rendition of One Day by Matisyahu. The night continued with 90’s music…