Hey Everyone!

Welcome back from spring break! From now until finals, Hillel is happening! FORMAL IS TONIGHT! Space is limited! Buy your tickets asap (tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door) http://cuarts.com/calendar/view/type/4/event_id/1819  

Next week don't miss a fascinating photo exhibit about Jewish partisans that opens on Tuesday, and a free screening of the film Defiance next week. And don't forget passover starts on April 8th.  Hope to see you around.

Have a great weekend and Shabbat Shalom,

Marnina Cherkin
Program Coordinator

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IN THIS ISSUE:
Highlights

1) Commemorating Jewish Partisans
2) Passover is almost here!
3) Avanim Submission Deadline Extended and Cover Contest
4) Join Hillel's Relay for Life Team
5) Pardes Speaker
6) Because We Were Slaves: Simon Deng and Modern Day Slavery
7) Yachad Shabbaton
8) Are you interested in starting a Fraternity?
9) Special Cafe Ivrit

CALENDAR:
See this weeks events!

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1) Commemorating Jewish Partisans
Columbia/Barnard Hillel is honored to host a rare photography exhibit entitled "Pictures of Resistance: The Wartime Photographs of Jewish Partisan Faye Schulman" from March 31-April 28.  Schulman is the only known Jewish partisan to document the WWII partisan experience on film.  The captivating photographs in this collection capture the camaraderie, horror and loss, bravery and triumph of the rag-tag, tough partisans —some Jewish, some not—who fought the Germans and their collaborators.
*** Join us at the Exhibit Opening on Tuesday, March 31st at 7:30pm in Rennert Hall - - basement of the Kraft Center, 606 W. 115th Street (enjoy FREE FOOD as well!).

*** Learn more about the Jewish partisans at the FREE screening of the highly acclaimed film DEFIANCE on Thursday, April 2nd at 7:30pm in Lerner Cinema, followed by a Q&A with Clay Frohman, the co-writer and co-producer!  Free tickets available through CUArts and at Lerner Box Office. 

Stay tuned for more exhibit related events throughout the month of April...
Questions?  Email karen@hillel.columbia.edu

2) PASSOVER is almost here!
Be on the lookout in the next few days for sign up info for the FREE Hillel seder and for the Passover meals at Barnard.  In the meantime, here is some general information:
The Passover holiday begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 8th.  That night at 8:30pm in Rennert Hall (basement of the Kraft Center, 606 W. 115th Street), Columbia/Barnard Hillel is happy to host a community seder (FREE for Columbia/Barnard/JTS students, $45 for guests).  Details will be sent out in the next few days about signing up online for this community seder. 
Passover meals throughout the holiday are not free and will be available to students who sign up. These meals will take place at Barnard.  Be on the lookout for how to sign up online for all these meals.  Note:  the sign up deadline will be noon on Thursday, April 2nd.

3) Avanim Submission Deadline Extended and Cover Contest
Good news! The Avanim submission deadline has been extended. You can still submit any written or visual works of art until this Sunday, March 29th.
Avanim is also excited to introduce our “What's Jewish about Rocks?” cover contest!
We’re looking for visually striking images that include avanim (Hebrew for rocks) and deal with Judaism . So show us, by April 4th, “What‘s Jewish about Rocks?”
The info again: Avanim, Columbia/Barnard's Jewish literary magazine is accepting submissions for our Spring 2009 issue. We want your poetry, prose (800 words or less, please), photographs, drawings, paintings (we'll photograph them for you!) or any other type of creative expression of your Judaism.
Does the work have to be about Judaism, you ask? No! We don't only publish explicitly Jewish work, and we are especially interested in how a piece resonates differently when published in a Jewish context. For ideas of what we're looking for, take a look at our latest issue online at www.hillel.columbia.edu/avanim2009.pdf
Magazine submissions should be sent to avanim.magazine@gmail.com by March 29th, 2009. Cover submissions by April 4th. Send all writing as Word attachments. Any images should simply be attached to the email as well. Include your name, email where you can be reached, and Columbia affiliation in the body of the email.
Feel free to direct questions to avanim.magazine@gmail.com

4) Join Hillel's Relay for Life Team
Relay for Life is a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. As the signature event of Columbia University's Colleges Against Cancer chapter, Relay unifies the Columbia community in the remembrance of cancer victims, celebration of survivors, and is a declaration of support for the fight against cancer on all levels.
Last year the Hillel Hedgehogs were Relay for Life's LARGEST team, and we raised over $1,450! This year, we're back to raise even more money for cancer research!
Register online at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=13946&team_id=468573.
And be sure to join us at 8:15 pm for a rockin' good time on Saturday, April 4th.

5) Pardes Speaker
Come join students and Pardes alumni to learn with Pardes faculty member Michael Hattin, and hear from David Rittberg, Director at the Bronfman Center at NYU about his experiences working for Hillel. This is a great way to hear about career opportunities with Hillel and to learn with a fantastic educator.
When: This Sunday at 7:30 pm
Where: Hillel Building Room 400
The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem immerses our students in the study of classical Jewish texts. Men and women of diverse backgrounds learn together in a rigorous, challenging and open-minded environment. This learning experience nurtures a deep and personal connection to our Jewish heritage, a love for the Jewish people and Israel, and the knowledge to become leaders in the Jewish community. 
Founded in 1972,Pardes is an independent institution not affiliated with any religious or political movement.

6) Because We Were Slaves: Simon Deng and Modern Day Slavery
As a child Simon Deng lived in the village of Tonga, a town subjected to frequent invasions by the Sudanese. After he and his family were forced into a refugee camp in Malkal, Simon was abducted by a man who sold him as a slave. He was able to escape his captors and has become an American citizen, working tirelessly as an activist, promoting awareness and lobbying for the end of slavery worldwide. Deng has recently embarked on a fact finding mission to Sudan and Darfur, bringing us the most recent report from this inhumane conflict.
During the Jewish holiday of Passover, we celebrate our redemption from slavery.  We within the Hillel Social Justice community believe it is important to remember that bondage still occurs in this world.
Come hear Simon Deng’s story.
Because We Were Slaves: Simon Deng and Modern Day Slavery
5th Floor, Hillel Building (606 W. 115th St., between Broadway and Riverside, across from Schapiro)
Monday, March 30, 7:00-8:15 pm
Co-sponsored by Columbia/Barnard Hillel Education and Interfaith/Intercultural Committees, The Current, and Columbia University Amnesty International

7) Yachad Shabbaton
This Shabbat, Yavneh will be having our annual Yachad Shabbaton, which brings developmentally disabled young adults to campus for the weekend. It is set to be a really fun and enjoyable weekend and we hope everyone will be able to join us. Friday night, there will be a special dinner held in the James Room (sign up like usual through Shabbat Meals). There will also be a great oneg Friday night after dinner. We want to ensure that our Yachad participants have a great time at the shabbaton, and we hope all of you can help to make that happen!!

Here's the schedule for the weekend:

Friday:
Mincha- 6:55 PM
Dinner in the James Room- 8:30 PM
Oneg on the 5th floor of Kraft- 10 PM-12 AM

Saturday:
Shacharit- 9:15 AM
Followed by Kiddush and Chavruta Learning
Lunch in Hewitt- 12:30
Followed by board games and hanging out in Kraft with Yachad participants, and then a tour of Columbia/Barnard
Mincha/Seudah Shlishit- 6:40 PM
Havdalah- 8 PM

8) Are you interested in starting a Fraternity?
The Jewish Fraternity Sigma Alpha Mu is starting a chapter here at Columbia University.  It is a great opportunity to take leadership and build a group from the ground-up.  Re-founding fathers are being sought and scholarships are available for emerging leaders.  An information session will be held by Expansion Consultant Matt Jacobson on Wednesday, April 1st at 7:30pm in Room 403 at Hillel (606 W. 115th Street).  If you have any questions about this information session email Matt at MattJ@sam.org.

9) Special Cafe Ivrit (Hebrew Hangout) with Israeli Professor
When: Tuesday, March 31, 7PM
Where: Cafe Nana, Second floor of Hillel (606 W115 Street, b/w Broadway and Riverside)
Come join the Israel Committee and Garin Lavi, the aliyah-interest group, for a special Cafe Ivrit with Dr. Irving Kalet, an Israeli professor who teaches every spring at Columbia. Professor Kalet will be talking about what it is really like to live in Israel. As always, there will be free snacks and coffee as well as lively conversation.

03/26/2009

No public events scheduled

03/27/2009

No public events scheduled

03/28/2009

No public events scheduled

03/29/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
1:00 PM-2:00 PM Room 404	Pesach Shiur by Rabbi Berzon, teacher at Mevaseret and MMY	Beit Midrash Program

03/30/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
8:15 PM-9:15 PM Bishop Library (2nd Floor)	Round Table Discussion with Simon Deng	Tzedek/Social Action Va'ad

03/31/2009

No public events scheduled

04/01/2009

No public events scheduled

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