Hello everyone!

Hard to believe how quickly the semester is coming to a close!  Don't forget that the Kraft Center is a great place to study (see details below) during reading week and finals. 

We've had some email listserve challenges over the past week or two, so not everyone received the recent announcement of Hillel's newly elected student E-Board.  Congrats again to these students, and we wish them a great year ahead!

President - Emily Steinberger

Vice President of Groups - Aaron Krieger

Vice President of Initiatives - Josh Weiss

Social Va'ad Coordinator - Marit Pearlman Shapiro

Religious Life Va'ad Coordinator - Jon Mann

Israel Va'ad Coordinator - Devora Aharon

Education/Cultural Va'ad Coordinator - Sarah Weiss

Tzedek Va'ad Coordinator - Sarah Brafman

Treasurer - Jay Chudow

Enjoy the rest of Hanukkah!

Shabbat shalom,

--Karen Plotkin

Senior Director of Programming

[Highlights]:

1) Hanukkah Announcements!

2) Application deadline TODAY - Alternative Spring Break in the South: Exploring shared legacies of Social Justice

3) Alternative Spring Break to Nicaragua with American Jewish World Service and Columbia/Barnard Hillel

4) Extended Hours at the Kraft Center during Reading Week and Finals

5) Beit Midrash Committee

6) "Adopt a Bubbe or Zaide" program!

[Calendar]:

See this week's events

[Save the Date]:

Limmud NY

Menorah Lighting at Kraft:

Students are welcome to come light menorahs in the lobby of the Kraft Center at 606 W. 115th Street each night of Hannukah starting Tuesday evening at 5:15pm (4:00pm on Friday).

Menorah Lighting in Residence Halls:

Due to fire safety policies, students are not permitted to light in their rooms or suites.  The following Residence Halls will have a designated area in a lobby or lounge to light at 5:15pm.  Carmen, EC, Wallach, Sulzberger, 600, and 616. Volunteers are needed to sit with the candles.  Please e-mail rabbi@columbia.edu if you can volunteer.

All other Columbia Campus Residence Halls require the selection of a volunteer suite to host candle lighting for their residence hall.  If your suite can host candle lighting, please e-mail rabbi@columbia.edu.

If you have any questions about your Residence Hall, or you are in a Barnard Res Hall other than the ones mentioned above, please e-mail Rabbi Dave.

2) Application deadline TODAY - Alternative Spring Break in the South:  Exploring shared legacies of Social Justice

APPLICATIONS DUE TODAY AT 2PM!

March 16th, 2008 ? March 23rd, 2008

The CC/SEAS Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Columbia/Barnard Hillel have partnered to provide a unique opportunity for students to participate in a service learning project during Spring Break with a special focus on the intersections between People of Color and Jewish communities.  More than two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast of the United States, there is still much work to be done. This intercultural service learning project is aimed at building community between Jewish Students and students of color on Columbia's campus via a semester long training program, which culminates in Spring Break.

If you need an application, email omahillelasb@gmail.com.  Please fill out the application and return it in person to Marta at the Intercultural Resource Center 552 114th St. between Broadway and Amsterdam, or to Maya by email omahillelasb@gmail.com NO LATER THAN FRIDAY DECEMBER 7th AT 2PM.

3) Alternative Spring Break to Nicaragua with American Jewish World Service and Columbia/Barnard Hillel

Travel with your fellow Columbia/Barnard/JTS classmates on spring break!

Participate in grassroots sustainable development projects, learn about the interrelationship of social justice, service and Judaism, and build bridges of solidarity!

March 16-23, 2008

Applications are due no later than Thursday, January 24th. For an application, or for answers to your questions, contact cd2303@columbia.edu.

4) Extended Hours at the Kraft Center during Reading Week and Finals

Can't find a good spot to study in Butler?  Come to the Kraft Center (606 W. 115th Street between Broadway and Riverside)!  We're open later than usual several nights over the next two weeks. 

Open until 2:00am:

Tuesday, December 11th

Wednesday, December 12th

Thursday, December 13th

Monday, December 17th

Tuesday, December 18th

Wednesday, December 19th

Open until midnight:

Sunday, December 16th

Thursday, December 20th

Good luck studying!

5) Beit Midrash Committee

The Beit Midrash Committee of Hillel is accepting new members for next semester, and we want YOU to apply! If you're interested in running textual-based study programs and planning Jewish scholarly events, please email us at bmc@hillel.columbia.edu and we'll email you an application. We look forward to hearing from you!!

6) "Adopt a Bubbe or Zaide" program!

Hillel and Dorot in partnership present: "Adopt a Bubbe or Zaide" program!

Are you interested in volunteering with the elderly, but aren't ready to make a weekly commitment? If so, we have a program that is perfect for you. As a participant in the "Adopt a Bubbe or Zaide" program, you will be paired with an elderly friend, whom you will visit once or twice a month.

These visits can be arranged around your schedule, and you can do whatever you like with your elderly friend, including talking, singing, reading, or drinking tea together.

If you are interested in this program for next semester, please email Ilana at ia2167@barnard.edu and we'll let you know further details.

12/07/2007

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
9:00 PM-10:30 PM Cafe Nana (2nd Floor)	Hanukah Oneg	Religious Life Va'ad
2:00 PM-4:00 PM C555	Peddles for Peace	Sephardic Club

12/08/2007

No public events scheduled

12/09/2007

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
7:00 PM-8:30 PM Lerner Party Space	Chanukah Party	Hillel General

12/10/2007

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
7:00 PM-9:00 PM 5th Floor Auditorium	End of Classes Murder Mystery Party	Yavneh
7:15 AM-8:45 AM 5th Floor Auditorium	Last Rosh Chodesh of the Semester	Koach

12/11/2007

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
6:00 PM-7:30 PM 5th Floor Auditorium	Keepin it Classy with Koach: A Chanukah Soiree	Koach

12/12/2007

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
7:00 PM-8:15 PM 5th Floor Auditorium	Eat For Israel	LionPAC
9:00 PM-10:00 PM 5th Floor Auditorium	In Session	Wednesday Night Learning Program

12/13/2007

No public events scheduled

Save the date:

Limmud NY

Love all things Jewish? Want to meet other young, hip Jews? Come to Limmud NY?Jan. 17-21, 2008

Limmud NY is a weekend filled with learning, performances, food, and discussions with a community of over 800 Jews of all ages, backgrounds & lifestyles.   Customize your own experience by choosing from over 300 event offerings that include song, text study, film, hands-on workshops and more!

Register online by going to: www.limmudny.org.  There is a Limmud NY Fellowship for college students, significantly reduces the cost.   The fellowships are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early!

Contact Chanel Dubofsky cd2303@columbia.edu or Shira Berenson sbb2108@columbia.edu for more information. 

Additional information: