Hey Everyone!

Can you believe the semester is almost over? Things are definitely winding down at Hillel. Here's some great news! The Kraft Center will be open for extended hours during finals. When Butler gets too smelly, come over to Hillel!

Please take a minute to fill out an important survey below from the National Hillel Office. This is a great opportunity for you to give Hillel feedback and let us know your thoughts on Hillel. There are also great prizes so please read the blurb below!

We know that finals can be a stressful time. This year we have a unique opportunity for students to learn relaxation breathing techniques from an expert. See the blurb below for more information on this great workship taking place on Tuesday. Sign up soon!

Have a great weekend, good luck with finals, and Shabbat Shalom!

Marnina Cherkin
Program Coordinator

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IN THIS ISSUE:
Highlights

1) Butler Smells! Come to Hillel!
2) Hillel Survey with Prizes!
3) Breathing and Meditation for Relaxation and Stress Reduction
4) Senior Week Shabbat Dinner
5) Salute to Israel Parade
6) A New Spark of Shabbat

CALENDAR:
See this weeks events!

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1) Bulter Smells! Come to Hillel!
The Kraft Center has plenty of comfy study spaces and is open until 2:00am on most weeknights during Reading Week and Finals! Late hours start on Tuesday, May 5th. Enjoy FREE snacks all afternoon and evening…  Keep an eye out for an awesomely special study break on: Wednesday, May 6th from 9:00-10:00pm, 3rd floor of Hillel. All are welcome!
*Hillel is located at 606 W. 115th Street, across from Schapiro.*

2) Hillel Survey with Prizes!
You all have an exciting opportunity to be part of Hillel National’s survey of Jewish students.  Hillels from across the country are participating in a survey that will allow us to better understand who you are, what your interests and needs are and to think through how best to provide you with the right kinds of programs, services and support. For any undergraduate student from here (Columbia, Barnard, JTS) who completes the survey, you will (a) automatically receive a coupon for a free cup of coffee at Café Nana and (b) be able to participate in a local-campus raffle where we will be giving away an i-pod as well as i-tunes certificates! Please go to the link to get to the survey http://researchsuccess.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0ibuaa2QXbY33PC&SVID=Prod&campus=Columbia  Your participation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

3) Breathing and Meditation for Relaxation and Stress Reduction
Stressed out about finals?  This workshop is for you!
Tuesday, May 5th - - 6:30-9:30pm
Rennert Hall (Kraft Center—606 W. 115th Street)
Suggested $5 at the door
Please register in advance by emailing rjc2132@columbia.edu
Details: Everyone can benefit greatly from mind-body practices rooted in yoga, qigong and Buddhist meditation. Coherent Breathing and Open Focus Meditation are two highly effective self-regulation techniques that help to relieve anxiety, improve focus and increase one’s feeling of well-being.  Through the experience of repeated rounds of breath work and meditation, gentle movement, theoretical background and small group interaction, participants will discover the benefits of these mind-body practices and learn to integrate this knowledge into daily life.
Instructor: This workshop will be led by Richard P. Brown, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University.  He integrates psychopharmacology and CAM and teaches Aikido (4th Dan), yoga, and meditation; he is the author of How to use Herbs, Nutrients and Yoga in Mental Health Care.

4) Senior Week Shabbat Dinner
Calling all HILLEL SENIORS! Senior Week Shabbat Dinner is on May 15th…

Dinner details:
- 8:45pm at Hillel in Rennert Hall (606 W. 115th Street)
- RSVP required - - check the Senior Week site (http://www.columbia.edu/cu/seniorweek/2009/index3.html) in the next few days - - registration info coming soon
- Dinner costs $10
- You must register BEFORE 5:00pm on Wednesday, May 13th

Can’t wait to see you there!

5) Salute to Israel Parade
Do you want to march in the Salute to Israel Parade on Sunday, May 31st? Go as a member of the Hillel team!
The Salute to Israel Parade (http://salutetoisrael.com/parade/) is one of the largest Israel events in the world. Millions of New Yorkers, and non New Yorkers alike, march down 5th Avenue in support of Israel.
The Hillels of New York will be marching together under a Hillel Banner. Want to join? email Brandon Hammer for more details israel@hillel.columbia.edu. T-shirts cost $8 - Please let us know by Monday, May 4th at midnight if you want a t-shirt!
 
6) A New Spark of Shabbat
Hillel first-timers and frequenters alike, come join us for a Shabbat dinner on Friday, May 8th at 9:00pm in the James Room, 4th floor Barnard Hall. As we celebrate Lag B'Omer, come join in our "Bon Fire" and celebrate Shabbat with friends and new faces. It promises to be a completely festive and special experience.

$5 for Columbia/Barnard/JTS students
$12 for Guests

Sign up: http://www.hillel.columbia.edu/template.php?name=communityshabbat
Afterwards, gather with all your friends for a fantastic dessert reception and hear Pizmon perform at the Kraft Center!

SPACES ARE LIMITED! PLEASE BE SURE TO SIGN UP and PAY ON THE LINK. There will be no Walk-ins allowed!

04/30/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
6:45 PM-7:45 AM Room 403	Women and Halacha with Miera Levinson	Beit Midrash Program
11:30 AM-1:00 PM College Walk	American Cancer Society Bake Sale	E-board

05/01/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
7:30 PM-11:00 PM Rennert Hall	Yavneh Shabbat Dinner	Yavneh
8:00 PM-12:00 AM Cafe Nana (2nd Floor)	Friday Night Hangout	*GENERAL SOCIAL PROGRAMS
9:00 PM-11:59 PM Beit Midrash	Tea & Torah	Beit Midrash Program
8:30 PM-11:00 PM 5th Floor Auditorium	Shabbat Dinner	Koach

05/02/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
12:30 PM-3:30 PM Room 400	Lunch 'N' Learn	Koach

05/03/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
6:00 PM-9:00 PM Philosophy	Spring Semester Concert	Klezmer Band
7:00 PM-11:00 PM Rennert Hall	End of the Year Concert	Smadar
10:00 AM-6:00 PM 5th Floor Auditorium	Conference with New Voices	Avanim

05/04/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
7:30 PM-9:00 PM 5th Floor Auditorium	Group Leader Appreciation Dinner	E-board

05/05/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
6:30 PM-9:30 PM Rennert Hall	Relaxation/Meditation Workshop	Hillel General

05/06/2009

Time and place	Title	Sponsoring group
9:00 PM-10:00 PM 3rd Floor	A Finals Farewell	E-board
1:00 PM-2:00 PM Bishop Library (2nd Floor)	Shiur by Rabbi Yedidya Berzon	Beit Midrash Program

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Additional information: