wesleyan jewish community: bruchim ha-blog-im!

We Want YOU!

2010-04-27T20:09:00.001-04:00

Hi friends,

(Pardon the corny introduction, big life changes make me sappy)

Graduation is in less than a month, and, like the rest of the senior class, I have been ruminating on my Wesleyan experience. One of the most important aspects on my time here has most definitely been the Jewish community, particularly my relationships with you. Even though we may not have been especially close, your names were the first to pop into my mind when I thought of the Havurah over the past 4 years. You were, are, and continue to be a significant part of the WesJewCrew.

So here's my proposal:

I'd like to compile a binder containing important information regarding the Jewish community. This could mean memories, photographs, stories, recipes, songs, poems, etc. It could - and should - also include more concrete things: Shabbat service themes, where to get the best Kosher for Passover food, Adath Israel point people, syllabi for student forums (hint, hint). Any and all advice for planning events and programs is especially welcome.

You can spend as much or as little time on this as you are able, but please send me at least a little something? This would be a great way of keeping traditions we love alive.

Please forward to all of your friends from the Jewish community! Especially alums!

Let me know if you have any questions, concerns, concerns, critiques, cookies - or if you want to help out!

Love,

Franni

Happy early Hanukkah!

2009-12-08T22:07:00.004-05:00

A gift for you during pre-finals week, courtesy of Utah Senator Orrin Hatch.

Buh?

Nope, I'm serious. According to today's New York Times, the lifelong Republican also dabbles in songwriting (who can forget his 2004 hit "Heal Our Land"? Certainly not anyone who supported John Kerry's campaign...). He wrote "8 Days of Hanukkah" as a "gift to the Jewish people."

Eight Days of Hanukkah from Tablet Magazine on Vimeo.

My personal favorite moments?
When the senator flashes his mezzuzah chain. Bling, bling.

An unexpected contributor to your holiday playlist, sure, but 'tis the season for giving and sharing, right? Gawker might not be a fan, but what do you think of Sen. Hatch's new jam? Will we be hearing it around the Bayit anytime soon?

- Franni

Chanukah Party at the Bayit!

2009-12-08T17:33:00.002-05:00

Classy, jazzy chanukah party this Saturday night at the Bayit! Dress your chanukah best and come listen to live jazz, eat latkes, play dreidel, and relax with friends before the stress of finals descends.

We are still accepting jazz artists so if you know someone who would like to play (and is good) please have them contact me asap!

Where: the Bayit
When: Saturday night, 9-11 pm
Cost: Freeeeeeee

(Epic) Sukkah sleepover

2009-10-05T22:21:00.002-04:00

You may remember that last year the community held an epic Sukkah sleepover extravaganza. Some of you may even be lucky enough to remember being there, in which case you know how epic it was. Suffice it to say that it included such features as Jack-o-lantern carving, Michael Roth playing the banjo, and the Amazing Sam Kachuck sleeping through the noisy fun.

Now we have a bambooey new Sukkah in a hilly new location. What surprises will there be this year? Current and former Wes students visiting from NYC? Homemade applesauce? Barack Obama? I can promise that at LEAST one of those will be happening.

Of course you are all welcome and encouraged to sleep/eat/work/levitate in the Sukkah any and every day. That being said, this particular sleepover extravaganza will be Thursday night - Friday morning, October 8-9. I will be getting there around 8 or 9 pm, but feel free to come earlier and have dinner there or come later or just pop in and out whenever you feel like it. Unless it's raining really hard, we'll be out there.

Bring a sleeping bag as it will probably be cold. If you don't have one you should be able to borrow one from Outhouse (they may or may not charge a couple bucks for this, I can't remember). I have one tarp but if anyone has another or something else that we could put down between our sleeping bags and the ground please bring it. Other optional items to bring: musical instruments, snacks, stuff you want to do/talk about.

Contact dkieval(at)wes with any questions.

Chag sameach. Remember to celebrate and be happy all week -- it's commanded!

Sukkot events

2009-10-04T14:45:00.002-04:00

We are so excited about our new sukkah on foss hill!

We trekked up Church Street to eat a delicious shabbat dinner in the hut on Friday, despite less-than-ideal weather conditions. The dedication ceremony on Saturday also went well - there was TONS of food (most of which was later devoured at the camping trip reunion).

More sukkot events for the week:

Monday 10/5 at 6:15PM: Pizza in the Hut
Thursday 10/8: Sukkah sleepover

Contact Dan K (dkieval@wes) with questions, comments or cookies!

...And don't forget about the Simchat Torah Party at the Bayit on Saturday (facebook event here)

Yom Kippur @ Wes

2009-09-27T15:00:00.001-04:00

September 27 (SUN):

Dinner 5:00 PM, Usdan Campus Center (left dining hall)

Evening services/Kol Nidre 6:15 PM Beckham Hall

September 28 (MON):

Morning service 10 AM: Beckham Hall
Concluding service time approx. 5:15 PM

(in between services, feel free to hang out at the Bayit!)

7:00PM Havdallah followed by lox and bagels break-the-fast at Daniel Family Commons

Rosh Hashanah @ Wes

2009-09-18T09:48:00.002-04:00

September 18 (FRI):

Apples and Honey at Alpha Delta Phi, 3:30 PM

Evening service 7 PM at Beckham Hall
Followed by special festive dinner at aprox. 8:00PM in Usdan 108

September 19 (SAT):

Morning service, 10 AM at Beckham Hall
Lunch following services, 1:00 PM at Usdan 108
Evening service 7 PM, Adath Israel (meet at the Bayit to walk down together)

September 20 (SUN):

Morning service, 8:30 AM, Adath Israel

Tashlich River Walk Eco Ritual, meet at the Bayit at 4 PM

Havdallah on Home

2009-09-10T19:54:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,

I hope the first week of classes is finding you well! I am writing to invite you all to participate in the final Havdallah ceremony of the year 5769.

For those of you who don't know, Havdallah is a weekly Jewish ritual that marks the end of Shabbos and the beginning of the new week, involving singing, dancing, some spices, a candle, and a glass of wine. Intrigued?

Then come to our house, 48 Home Avenue, this Saturday, September 12, at 7 pm, for snacks, followed by a short and sweet Havdallah ceremony outside around 7:45.

Home Avenue is the street that intersects with Lawn Avenue near the back of the Science Center, between Brainard and Church. Our house is towards the end on the left side. Let me (Emily H.) know if you would like to help prepare or participate.

Lots of love,
Emily Hoffman, Sam Schilit, Franni Paley, David Baranger, and Emily Sheehan

Shabbat 9/11/09

2009-09-10T14:20:00.001-04:00

Shalom Y'all!

Syd Berkman and David Baranger will be leading Friday night services tomorrow. Services begin at 6:15pm, and they are held in the common room of the Bayit, 157 Church St.
As always, there will be a delicious home-cooked kosher meal following services at 7:30pm!
Feel free to come to both services and dinner, or one or the other.

Also, there will be Havdallah and snacks Saturday night at 48 Home Ave.

Be well, and see you soon!

3rd Annual Jewish Community Pre-orientation Camping Trip

2009-09-10T11:30:00.007-04:00

Instead of spending their final few days before college frantically packing and saying goodbyes, 17 incoming frosh, Jews and Gentiles alike, headed out to Connecticut on August 31st for two days of fun in the sun in Southbury, about an hour from campus. For two days and nights they came together as a community along with seven upperclassmen, all active members of the Havurah. Together, we hiked in the forest, swam in the lake, played games in the grass, and sang and danced around the campfire. We dished about life at Wesleyan, from classes to parties to the Jewish community, and at the end of the trip there was an emotional moment as we all opened up about our hopes and fears for the coming year. It was sad to leave the peaceful bliss of Kettletown State Park behind, but both comforting and exciting to know that we would each be returning to school with 23 new and strengthened friendships (and a new Facebook group).

Important Resources for WesJews

2009-09-07T15:21:00.002-04:00

Jewish Renaissance Fellows
Rachel Levenson/rlevenson@wesleyan.edu (Social Justice/Tikkun Olam Events)
Rachel Santiago/rtsantiago@wesleyan.edu (Holidays and Shabbat Services)
Rachel Merzel/rmerzel@wesleyan.edu (Holidays and Shabbat Services)
Franni Paley/fpaley@wesleyan.edu (Social Events/Parties/Mixers)

Please feel free to contact us at any point about anything!

Chaplain's Office
Rabbi David Leipziger-Teva/dleipziger@wesleyan.edu

The Bayit
Meaning "house" in Hebrew, The Bayit is Wesleyan's program house devoted to Jewish religion and culture. It has a full kosher kitchen, large common area, library and 22 sophomore and junior residents (not all of whom identify as Jewish). The Bayit functions as a safe space for meetings, prayer, parties and casual hang-outs.
157 Church Street, just beyond High Street, across from Open House. Contact House Manager Jen Liebschutz (jliebschutz@wesleyan.edu) with questions.

Holidays, Spirituality, and Prayer
Shabbat
Every Friday evening at the Bayit. Student-led services, free kosher dinner to follow, different every week! If you are interested in leading, there is a sign-up sheet at the Bayit, or talk to Rachel Santiago (rtsantiago@wesleyan.edu) or Rachel Merzel (rmerzel@wesleyan.edu). Also, contact them if you need information or have ideas about Jewish holidays.

Vespers
Not traditionally "Jewish", but a quiet space for meditation and reflection. Wednesday nights, 5pm at 169 High Street. Contact: Lizzie Busch (embusch@wesleyan.edu).

Adath Israel
Conservative synagogue just a short walk from campus! Sam Kachuck (skachuck@wesleyan.edu) usually organizes a group of students to walk together for Saturday morning services. Want to get involved? Ask Rabbi Haaz (rabbi@adathisraelct.org, 860-346-4077) or go to http://www.adathisraelct.org/

Trips
Taglit-Birthright Israel
Age 18-26? Never been on a peer-led trip to Israel since you were 12? Then you are eligible for a FREE trip to Israel with your Wesleyan peers! The Wesleyan Birthright trip runs January 3-13, contact Adina Teibloom (ateibloom@wesleyan.edu) or Micah Weiss (mgweiss@wesleyan.edu) for information.

American Jewish World Service Alternative Spring Break
Want to spend a week volunteering in Central American country with other Wesleyan students? Interested in learning more about international development, Latin American cultures, and the Jewish perspective on it all? The AJWS trip runs March 7-14.
Contact Rachel Levenson (rlevenson@wesleyan.edu)

Food
Friday Cooking Co-op
Come help cook our free Shabbat dinner each week, Friday at 1pm in the Bayit. If you have questions or recipe suggestions, contact Molly Deutsch-Feldman (mdeutschfeld@wesleyan.edu) or Arielle Golden (aegolden@wesleyan.edu).

Shalom/Salaam
Kosher food station at Usdan! Just use your meals or points.

The Bayit
Full kosher kitchen! Residents and non-residents of the Bayit are welcome to cook their own kosher meals, if desired. Contact Jen Liebschutz (jliebschutz@wesleyan.edu).

Holiday Meals
We have community dinners for the High Holy Days and Passover. Details to be emailed through the Jewish Student Listserve.

Academic
Religion Department
Prof. Peter Gottschalk, chair (pgottschalk@wesleyan.edu, x2293)

Certificate in Jewish and Israel Studies
Prof. Jeremy Zwelling (jzwelling@wesleyan.edu, x2296)

Hebrew Classes and Lessons
Prof. Dalit Katz (dkatz01@wesleyan.edu, x2297)

Clubs
The Interfaith Justice League
Wesleyan's Interfaith Organization - contact Adina Teibloom (ateibloom@wesleyan.edu), Nadeem Modan (nmodan@wesleyan.edu), Ann-Marie Illsley (aillsley@wesleyan.edu) or Emily Sheehan (emsheehan@wesleyan.edu).

Yiddish Club
Learn about Ashkenazi (Eastern European Jewish) traditions and culture with Jared Gimbel (jgimbel@wesleyan.edu)

Havurah on the Web
http://wesjews.blogspot.com
http://wesleying.org
http://www.wesleyan.edu/chaplains/jewish

Frosh Shabbat a Success!

2009-09-05T17:41:00.008-04:00

It was a beautiful Friday night in Middletown when the Class of 2013 made their first group entrance to 157 Church Street to greet the Sabbath Bride.

Micah Weiss '10 (on left) coordinated the outdoor service, which consisted of popular Wesleyan tunes led by several members of the senior class. We drummed, strummed, sang, danced and reflected upon our diverse journeys to this dynamic and beautiful community.

Alex Pfeiffer-Rosenblum '10 and Sarice Greenstein '10 lead "Adom Olam" to the tune of the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way"

Dinner, catered by Bon Appetit (the Wesleyan dining service), was a huge undertaking! With Beckham Hall filled to capacity, staff members were forced to turn away some students who wanted to join late. Hopefully next week's supper, which will be hosted at the Bayit, will have better crowd-control.

B'ruchim ha'bayim, Class of 2013! We look forward to having many more shabbatot with you!

Welcome, Class of 2013

2009-08-29T09:18:00.002-04:00

Shalom!

You are receiving this email because you have indicated to Wesleyan that you somehow identify with being a Jew, whether it be religiously, culturally, or another way. We are taking this opportunity as JRFs -- Jewish Renaissance Fellows -- to say hi! We're here to welcome you to Wesleyan and introduce you to our vibrant and wonderful Jewish community.

We will be around during New Student Orientation to meet you, greet you, and answer any questions you have about the Jewish community at Wes (or Wesleyan in general).

As a Jewish freshman, there are some special things going on during Orientation that you should be on the lookout for:

Freshmen Shabbat and Shabbat Dinner

Come down to the Bayit (157 Church St. - don't worry, we'll make sure you find it!) on Friday, September 4^th for Shabbat services and FREE dinner. Everyone from the Wesleyan community is welcome and encouraged to join us. (Just so you know, throughout the school year there are Shabbat services and a free home-cooked dinner EVERY Friday night at the Bayit.) JRFs will meet groups of students at various points around campus to walk as a group to services. Look for flyers during Orientation Week for the exact locations!

Bagel Brunch at the Bayit

The Jewish community will also be hosting a bagel brunch on Monday, September 7^th at noon at the Bayit. Come eat free bagels and schmooze with other WesJews before classes and the craziness of the year begins.

For more updates on the Wesleyan Jewish Community, check out our blog at http://wesjews.blogspot.com/.

We are looking forward to meeting you! If you have questions, even before you get to campus, don't hesitate to contact us.

Your 2009-2010 JRFs,

Franni Paley ’10 (fpaley@wesleyan.edu)

Rachel Levenson ’12 (rlevenson@wesleyan.edu)

Rachel Merzel ’12 (rmerzel@wesleyan.edu)

Rachel Santiago '12 (rtsantiago@wesleyan.edu)

very interesting article from the hartord courant about the havurah - make of it what you will...

2009-05-18T20:00:00.002-04:00

CAMPUS RECOVERing

An 'Amorphous Jewishness'

At Wesleyan, Cultural Identity Is A Shifting, Communal Thing

By MARISSA BROSTOFF

May 17, 2009

The murder of a Wesleyan University junior earlier this month at first looked like a tragedy with a very specific target: The alleged killer, Stephen P. Morgan, apparently had been stalking Johanna Justin-Jinich for two years before he showed up on campus and shot her. But when Morgan's journal, found while he was still on the lam, revealed that the gunman had it in not just for Justin-Jinich but for others like her — Wesleyan students, and Jews — the university went into lockdown and Connecticut's Jewish institutions snapped into action.

First to arrive were the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, the Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut. They immediately generated what Connecticut's Jewish Ledger called a "unified communal response," organizing security measures with the Wesleyan administration. While most students were ordered to remain in their dorms, the Bayit, the school's Jewish-themed residence, was evacuated.

After Morgan was caught, emissaries from Chabad, the ultra-Orthodox movement, pitched a "Tent of Comfort" next to the student center. They invited Jewish students to recite psalms with them (and urged them to observe the Sabbath). When Wesleyan held a memorial service May 8, Chabad came with a contingent of students from New York University, where Justin-Jinich first met her stalker.

These organizations were well-prepared to act swiftly because their raison d'etre, to a large extent, is addressing the needs of a small minority when it is targeted for violent crime — the minority, in this case, of Jewish students at Wesleyan. But their response was also ironic given that Morgan did not seem to see Wesleyan's Jewish students as a campus minority. In fact, based on his journal entries, he seemed to equate the liberal arts college itself with Jewishness. And in an important respect, he was right.

The Wesleyan Jewish community, of which I was a part during my undergraduate years, is a mass of contradictions that questions the boundaries of the terms "Jewish" and "community." About 30 percent of the student population is Jewish, but that seems both too high and too low to describe the campus gestalt.

Too high, because, in contrast with a school like Columbia University, which has a Jewish population of proportionally similar size, it's hard to spot clear markers of collegiate Jewishness: a yarmulke worn with jeans, an Israel rally, a Hillel T-shirt. (Hillel, the ubiquitous Jewish campus organization, does not have a chapter at Wesleyan.) And too low, because — as in New York City, from which a large number of Wesleyan students hail — it often seems like everyone on campus is at least a little bit Jewish.

Instead of Hillel, which provides students with a space on campus where they can safely be Jews, Wesleyan has the Bayit, which provides students with a stage on which to perform queer re-enactments of the Purim story and Seders drenched in liberation theology.

Not everyone who lives in the Bayit is Jewish. The overwhelming majority of Jewish students don't participate in activities at the Bayit. Attending a vegan brisket cook-off can seem gratuitous when you've already spent the day in Talmudic-style disputation in your "Sociology of Buddhism" class. And Justin-Jinich, from the accounts that have emerged thus far, was Jewish in a classically Wesleyan way.

There is a safety in this for Wesleyan students. If no one is precisely in or out of the fold, everyone has the freedom to construct, deconstruct and reconstruct their cultural and religious identities at will. Jewishness is everywhere and nowhere, an inside joke for those who care about such things, barely perceptible to those who don't.

Slipping in and out of an identity is a much more loaded proposition if that identity singles you out as a potential target. When Morgan wrote, "I think it okay to kill Jews, and go on a killing spree at this school," and that what he hoped to enact at Wesleyan was a "Jewish Columbine," he took hold of the inside joke and made it much less funny.

When anti-Semitism rears its head in less insistently postmodern environments, the response of a Jewish community — and the response that Jewish organizations hope to foster — is often to close ranks. But that would run counter to the spirit of Wesleyan in all its amorphous Jewishness.

When I visited the campus Monday, the school was already returning to a sadder, more cautious version of its wacky, irreverent, defiant self. I hope that, in the face of both the hate-filled assault and the well-meaning but overbearing assistance, its Jewish community will remain itself as well.

•Marissa Brostoff graduated from Wesleyan University in 2007 and is now a staff writer for Nextbook.org, an online Jewish magazine based in New York.

Tips for Seniors

2009-05-18T18:17:00.004-04:00

Seniors, with graduation less than a week away, your entire extended family will soon want to see you to offer their "mazel tov"s, cheek-pinches and checks in multiples of 18. In honor of your adorable mishpuchas, I'd like to share this posting from I Heart Jews with you:

The Top 5 Animals that Look Like Your Jewish Relatives

5. Lemur - Aunt Mindy
"Please. I need another macaroon like I need a hole in my head. P.S. did I tell you I met the nicest girl for you the other day? Jewish. Don't roll your eyes. She's very nice."

4. Koala - Uncle Murray
"Did you hear the one about the Rabbi and the sexy lady? "

3. Yeti Crab - Cousin Scotty
"Go Knicks!"

2. Monkey - Bubbe
"Give Bubbe a little kiss. Now would it kill you to try my gifelte fish?"

1. Blobfish - Poppy
"Oy."

- Franni

Home Ave Shabbas!

2009-05-13T15:07:00.006-04:00

As services will not be at the Bayit this week, you are all cordially
invited to 72A Home Ave this Friday at 6:15 for Shabbat services and
potluck dinner. Please bring yourself and a dish to share. All are
welcome!

Love,
Abby and Hannan and Jennie

P.S. 72A is the large red-brick house with the wrap-around porch, 5th
on the left as you walk down Home Ave away from the Science Center

The New Sukkah

2009-04-26T13:27:00.001-04:00

Check out this Argus article about our new Sukkah! It looks great!

adult bat mitzvah!

2009-04-24T12:35:00.002-04:00

Please join us in celebrating the Bat-Mitzvah of Jennie Ehrenhalt '09! She has been participating the Wesleyan Jewish Community’s B'nei Mitzvah Project since the fall, and has studied Judaism, learned to read Hebrew, explored her Jewish identity, practiced her Torah portion and is becoming a Bat Mitzvah this Saturday. Please join us for the ceremony and the subsequent celebrations.

Friday night services, 4/24, the Bayit, followed by dinner at Russell House
Shabbat morning services, 4/25, Beckham hall, followed by lunch at the DFC
The Bat Mitzvah Party (including an inflatable obstacle course, bar/bat mitzvah games, and 7th-grade fun) will be next weekend, so keep your eyes peeled!

Shabbat Menu

2009-04-22T20:23:00.002-04:00

Shabbat dinner this week will be:

Potato Leek Soup
Ratatouille
Pasta with Chicken and Argula Walnut Pesto
Green Salad with Pine Nuts, Pears, and Balsamic Vinagrette
Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

Come help cook and hang out starting at 1 on Friday in the Bayit Kitchen

Upcoming Events

2009-04-16T09:11:00.001-04:00

WESLEYAN JEWISH COMMUNITY
WESFEST EVENTS

Thursday: Chametzfest!
What: Passover is over, let’s all eat pizza!
When: 7:30 – 9
Where: Meet at the Bayit (157 Church Street)

Friday: Shabbat!
What: Student-led Service and Home-Cooked Dinner
When: Services at 6:15, Dinner at 7:30
Where: The Bayit

Saturday: Schmooze with the Jews!
What: Come eat ice cream and meet members of the Havurah
When: 7:30 – 9:30
Where: The Bayit

Wesfest!!! Come Visit Us!

2009-04-16T09:08:00.002-04:00

WESLEYAN JEWISH COMMUNITY

WESFEST EVENTS

Thursday: Chametzfest!

What: Passover is over, let’s all eat pizza!

When: 7:30 – 9

Where: Meet at the Bayit (157 Church Street)

Friday: Shabbat!

What: Student-led Service and Home-Cooked Dinner

When: Services at 6:15, Dinner at 7:30

Where: The Bayit

Saturday: Schmooze with the Jews!

What: Come eat ice cream and meet members of the Havurah

When: 7:30 – 9:30

Where: The Bayit

Questions? Concerns?

E-mail wesjews@gmail.com and check out our blog at wesjews.blogspot.com!

Passover 2009

2009-04-08T21:28:00.004-04:00

Well, the Community Seder was a success! Thanks to everyone who came, and everyone who helped out.

A copy of the supplement used for this year can be found here (the formatting only works if you download it).

If you are interested in the Freedom Seder, what Emily talked about, you can find more information here, and copy of the Freedom Seder Haggadah here.

If you are interested in the Haggadah for Earth, from which Ben read a prayer, you can find information here, and copy of the Haggadah for Earth here.

Pictures from Birkat Hachamah

2009-04-08T17:10:00.006-04:00

Here comes the sun...

Group shot:

Countdown to the next Birkat Hachamah: 10,227 days

A Pesach Hoedown

2009-04-08T12:13:00.000-04:00

Birkat Hachamah!

2009-04-07T11:20:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow morning, April 8: Birkat Hachamah (Blessing of the Sun)
Meet at the Davenport courtyard at 6:00 AM
Final chametz-feast at O'Rourke's afterwards!

The next time this happens, your KIDS will be at Wesleyan

Details:

Tomorrow morning at sunrise is a special event: the restarting of the 28-year cycle of the Gregorian calendar based on a somewhat arbitrary date thousands of years ago. Seriously, though, a bunch of ancient rabbis traced the calendar back to when the sun was supposedly created (on the fourth day, 5769 years ago). Since our solar set of calendars repeats every 28 years, every time the year is a multiple of 28 (plus 1, since there was no year zero), the sun is supposedly at the same point in the sky on the same day of the week as when it was created.

Unlike me, most of you are probably not nerdy enough to go on Wikipedia and read all about various calendar systems and try to figure out how all this adds up. You are lucky. Instead, I would recommend that you forget about that and, like those rabbis, use this as an occasion to think about the sun and celebrate all that it does for us.

What better time to do that than tomorrow morning, when bleary-eyed Jews around the world will be waking up in darkness to watch the sun come up and celebrate its majesty? This event is known as Birkat Hachamah, the blessing of the sun, and it only happens every 28 YEARS. We will meet outside Davenport at 6 am and from there hopefully get up to the roof of Judd to watch the sun come up.

Also, if anyone has a car they could offer to transport us to O'Rourke's that would be wonderful. Otherwise the brave souls among us can venture on foot.

Feel free to email me (dkieval@wes) with any questions, suggestions, or existential crises.

See you bright (hopefully) and early (definitely).

the cleaning begins

2009-04-06T10:07:00.002-04:00

pictures from the first full day of pesach cleaning at the bayit:

abby shows off her fancy sink work.

sam getting ready to attack the oven with cleaning fluids.

sara beth hard at work on the counters.

david shows off a perfectly kashered fridge.

emily says: "i want YOU to help clean the kitchen."

come by and help any time before sundown wednesday!

Passover themes and repairing the world

2009-04-04T22:09:00.005-04:00

Our seders are supposed to be open to all guests. At the beginning we sing the line "Let all who are hungry come and eat." As we sit down to what will presumably be a night of delicious feasting, we should take a moment to consider those who really ARE hungry, and how we can help them come and eat.

One great way to do this is to literally bring some guests to your seder, if you are hosting one. Another, since we can't always feed hungry people ourselves, is to donate to groups that fight hunger. I would particularly recommend Mazon, an organization that funds Jewish and non-Jewish hunger assistance programs all over the country and world.

Passover is also about remembering slavery and celebrating freedom. As we celebrate our own freedom we should take note of those around the world who still do not have theirs. This article discusses child slavery on cocoa farms (yes, the ones that sell to Hershey's and Nestle and Mars) and stresses the importance of only buying fair-trade chocolate. I would urge you to extend that awareness to everything you buy; make sure your money goes to support freedom and fairness and not slavery and inequality. In general but especially on Passover, we are supposed to remember that we were once slaves too!

Passover Desserts

2009-04-03T17:58:00.005-04:00

Here's a great article on making your own kosher-for-passover desserts. Try the Matzah Toffee recipe, it's delicious.

pesach through the eyes of facebook

2009-04-02T17:10:00.000-04:00

the passover story through the paradigm of 2009:
http://9a4440c5.fb.joyent.us/haggadah/ultraModern2.php

enjoy!

Passover Preparations

2009-04-02T17:08:00.006-04:00

If you plan on eating anything at the Bayit (including Shabbat dinner) during Passover (April 8-16), please sign up to help clean and kasher the Bayit kitchen for at least one hour.

To sign up, copy and paste into your browser:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pelvsn1d8ANXkUrs9CAfwFQ

B'nai Mitzvah Class: God

2009-04-02T13:23:00.002-04:00

Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class! Friday, 12-1, Chaplain's Lounge (169 High). Free lunch!

Join us for an open discussion on God, Prayer, and Judaism.

The Great Latke-Hamantaschen Debate!

2009-04-02T13:18:00.007-04:00

The Great Latke-Hamantaschen Debate!

Thursday, April 2
8pm
Judd 116

Come hear professors and students argue one of the greatest debates of our time! May the best food win!

Comedy Performance by LUNCHBOX

Latkes and Hamantaschen provided

Shabbat Menu

2009-03-31T22:32:00.002-04:00

Shabbat dinner this week will be:
Challah
mixed lettuce with mandarin oranges
sesame cucumber salad
roasted eggplant
thai noodles
chocolate pudding cake

Come help us cook on Friday anytime from 1-5.

Also, since next week is Passover we can't leave any leftovers in the Bayit, so invite your friends to come and bring tupperware to bring extra back home with you.

Interfaith Retreat!

2009-03-31T09:29:00.001-04:00

Come share your stories and traditions, and learn from others.

6pm Fri, April 3 - 3pm Sat, April 4
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 76 high St

There will be...

Games

A movie

Sleepover

Storytelling

Sing-alongs

Food

Discussions

Community Service

We welcome discussion/activity suggestions

(workshops, discussions, dances, etc).

RSVP to bsachshamilt@wes ASAP.

Let him know:

-Name
-Any dietary restrictions
-Other accommodations you need (particularly for sleeping over)

-If you can only come for part of the time (e.g., only Saturday)

Organized by the Interfaith Justice League

Shabbat services and dinner!

2009-03-26T19:27:00.002-04:00

Come forget about the stresses of the week and celebrate Shabbat! Services will start at 6:00 (ok, probably not, but come at 6) and I, Daniel Lev Kieval, will be leading them. The service will combine all the usual singing and wonderments with some discussion of Abraham Joshua Heschel's philosophy regarding Shabbat (it's good stuff). As always, delicious dinner will follow at around 7:30ish (see below for details on the deliciousness).

In summary:
Friday, 6pm, Bayit: You.

[Also, for anyone who is curious, the official candle-lighting cutoff is 6:52]

pre-orientation camping trip!

2009-03-26T17:49:00.003-04:00

as you may or may not know, it has been a tradition in the past few years for the wesleyan jewish community to host a camping trip for a couple of days before orientation. the trip is a great way for prefrosh to get acquainted with current members of the community. (although we advertise it as a jewish community trip, prefrosh and students of all religious backgrounds are welcome.)

the trip is NOT affiliated with the university, so we students need to do most of the planning on our own. last year it didn't work out, but if we start planning for this year now, we can put together a great experience for this august.

a couple of people have already volunteered to be on this year's planning committee. if you are interested, we would love to have you! please e-mail me at echoffman@wesleyan.edu if you want to be a part of the planning process or have any questions or suggestions.

Feminist Judaism class

2009-03-26T10:48:00.001-04:00

Like feminism? Judaism? Free food?

Come to a b'nai mitzvah class on Feminist Judaism this Friday from 12-1 in the Chaplain's lounge (169 High). All are welcome, and lunch will be provided.

Shabbat Menu

2009-03-24T21:11:00.003-04:00

This week's menu is

Challah
Arugala salad with pine nuts and cranberries
Carrot Souffle
Pizza with summer squash and caramelized onions
Apple Cake

Come help us cook from 1 to 5 on Friday afternoon. After we're done prepping Shabbat dinner we're going to make the hamentaschen dough for the Purim party, so come help with that too!

Purim Party!!

2009-03-24T19:12:00.003-04:00

The Purim Party is at the Bayit this Saturday, 3/28, from 10pm-2am. Come (belatedly) celebrate a rockin' holiday with friends, food, and good music! The bands are Fashion People, The Last Minutes, and Mad Wow Disease. See the Facebook Event for more information.

Passover 2009 Information

2009-03-24T18:58:00.002-04:00

A few updates regarding Passover, which begins in 3 weeks, and this year starts on Wednesday eve, April 8.

1) FOOD AT USDAN
Given the high cost of Kosher for passover food, Bon Apetit will be charging a small surcharge. This is a great deal. You can either buy a package:
• 14 meals tickets for $7.00 (Cost is $0.50 per ticket) comes with a free Noam Zion Haggadah (limited to the first 30 people who sign up)
• 7 meals tickets for $3.50 (Cost is $0.50 per ticket) comes with a free Noam Zion Haggadah (limited to the first 30 people who sign up)
The package is payable with cash or points, and meal tickets are redeemable either for lunch or dinner in addition to the regular meal swipe/points. For students, who want Passover food & do not purchase the package in advance, the upcharge at the door is $1.00 per meal period.

Passover packages will be sold at the cashiers at Usdan starting on 3/23. For more information or to ask questions, please email Bernice Laille at Bernice.Laille@cafebonappetit.com.

2) STUDENT LEADERS NEEDED FOR FISRT SEDER 4/8
Help us make this year’s Seder both a community effort as well as a transformative and fun experience. Please consider being part of a planning cmte. Let me know by 3/30.

3) FOR ALL THE COMPLETE PASSOVER INFO ( INCLUDING HOW YOU SIGN UP FOR THE SEDER):
http://www.wesleyan.edu/chaplains/jewish/passover.html

Passover

2009-03-24T18:06:00.002-04:00

Click here for all things Passover at Wes, including information about Kosher for Passover food at Usdan and how to sign up for seders.

Who loves meetings? WE DO!!!

2009-03-23T10:39:00.001-04:00

UPDATE: WE'RE GETTING PIZZA!

This is a reminder that there is a Jewish Community meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) night at 5:30 at the Bayit! Yay!!!
Spring is in the air, and that means lots of things to talk about: the Purim party (THIS SATURDAY!), the epic Latke vs. Hamentaschen Debate, the Adult B'nei Mitzvah, and all things Passover, PLUS anything else YOU think we should be doing (but we won't know if you don't come, now will we?)
So bring yourself and your ideas over to the Bayit at 5:30 tomorrow.
Questions? E-mail wesjews@gmail.com

Shabbos pot-luck 3/6

2009-03-05T16:34:00.003-05:00

If you're around Friday night, there will be a Shabbos pot-luck gathering at 63B Home Ave at 6 pm (services followed by dinner). In the words of the inimitable Dan Kieval, "Delicious food and song a definite, services also a possibility." Please e-mail Dan (dkieval@wes) if you'd like to come, and what you can bring.

Good Shabbos, and I hope to see you there!
Ben

Interfaith Youth Core Fellows Alliance 2009-2010: Apply Now!

2009-03-03T12:06:00.001-05:00

Interfaith Youth Core

Fellows Alliance 2009-2010

APPLY NOW!

The time is right for college students to lead the movement for religious pluralism.

WHO: Undergraduate student leaders from diverse faith and moral traditions who are committed to interfaith action on campuses across the country.

WHAT: IFYC Fellows receive year-long stipends to support interfaith organizing work on their college campus, IFYC staff mentors, a network of peer colleagues, access to the national network of interfaith youth work organizers, internship and professional development opportunities, and specialized trainings at the 6^th Conference on Interfaith Youth Work, October 25-27, 2009

WHEN: The Fellows Alliance fellowship year starts in the Fall of 2009 and will conclude in the Summer of 2010

HOW: Visit www.ifyc.org/fellows to download the Fellows Alliance application.

The deadline to apply is March 15, 2009

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Hafsa Kanjwal at (hafsa@ifyc.org) or (312-573-8926).

The Injustice of the Justice System

2009-03-03T12:02:00.001-05:00

The Injustice of Justice System

Wednesday the 25th, at 7:00 in PAC001,Imam Mahdi Bray will discuss Muslims' civil rights in America. Bray currently serves as the Executive Director of the Muslim American Society's Freedom Foundation (MAS Freedom) in Washington, D.C. MAS Freedom describes itself as: "a civic and human rights advocacy entity and sister organization of the Muslim American Society (MAS), the largest Muslim, grassroots, charitable, religious, social, cultural, civic and educational organization in America with 55 chapters in 35 states."

The title "imam" designates Bray as a prayer-leader and a recognized authority on Islamic theology.Mahdi Bray is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and the Interfaith Alliance, America's largest interfaith organization. He was one of the main organizers of the "No War on Iraq" movement and he has also been outspoken in his support for Muslim political prisoners such as Ahmed Abu Ali, Dr. Ali Al-Tamimi, and Dr. Sami Al-Arian.

Bray is a talk-show host on Washington, DC television and radio, so his lecture is sure to keep you captive!

*he also has tremendous experience in Guantanamo Bay.

Interfaith Potluck

2009-02-25T10:38:00.000-05:00

The Interfaith Justice League is extending an invitation to the Jewish community to come to the:

Interfaith Potluck
When: Thurs, Feb 26th, 6:00pm
Where: 230 Washington Street (soon to be Interfaith House!)
Come check out next year's new Interfaith Program House and mingle with friends!
Bring ethnic meals, desserts, or drinks (or just yourself), and a plate/knife/fork/cup!

A reminder: if you're thinking of applying to Interfaith House (or any other program house), the deadline is Friday!

Apply to Live in the Bayit!

2009-02-25T10:32:00.001-05:00

Looking for a big, beautiful house with an open, welcoming community dedicated to exploring and sharing Judaism and other cultures? Then the Bayit might be just the place for you! The deadline for applications is this Friday night at midnight.

B'nai Mitzvah Class: Social Justice

2009-02-24T23:03:00.000-05:00

Rachel Levenson will be leading a b'nai mitzvah class on social justice in Judaism! ALL ARE WELCOME!

Friday, 12:30-1:30 (note the time change!)
Chaplain's Lounge (169 High)

Learning! Discussion! Free lunch!

Shabbat Services

2009-02-24T21:31:00.001-05:00

Emily Hoffman and Franni Paley are leading services on Friday!

There will be singing, dancing, poetry and lots of fun, interactive, hippie love. Join us for a relaxing end to the work week.

6:15 at the Bayit.

Free dinner at 7:30, as always.

See you soon!

Love,

Hoffy & FranniFace

Shabbat Menu

2009-02-24T21:10:00.000-05:00

This week's menu is

Challah
Tzatziki Salad
Couscous with red peppers, chickpeas and cucumbers
Mediterranean style Eggplant Parmesan
Basbousa:
Come help cook and hang out starting at 1 on Friday!

Havdallah and Potluck!

2009-02-24T20:45:00.000-05:00

OPEN TO ALL IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY: This Saturday (2/28) at 6pm come to Abby, Hannan, and Jennie's house, 72A Home Ave, for Havdallah and dinner. We will end Shabbos and usher in the new week with candles, spices, and singing (in the woods, weather permitting), followed by dinner at our house. We will cook up some (veggie) food, but if you have access to a kitchen/weshop, it would be great if you could bring something too. Questions? Email hbraun@wes. ALL ARE WELCOME, jews and friends!

72A is the large red-brick house with the wrap-around porch, 5th on the left as you walk down Home Ave away from the Science Center.

bruchim ha-blog-im!

2009-02-24T20:40:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the Jewish Community's new blog! We've been revisioning and revitalizing the Havurah lately, and thought a blog would be helpful for organization, outreach, and institutional memory!

We'll post about upcoming events, ideas, relevant links, etc!

If you have any questions/ideas/suggestions/events, please email wesjews@gmail. We look forward to hearing from you!