Vigil for Gaza

Please join us for a vigil that commemorates and reflects upon the innocent lives lost and disrupted in the recent conflict in Gaza. We plan to join in solidarity with the hope of peace.

This event is hosted by AMES (Arab and Middle Eastern Students), ADAPT (Awareness, Dialogue, and Action about Palestine/Israel Today), the IJL (Interfaith Justice League), the MSA (Muslim Student Association), and the Havurah (Jewish student association).

What: Vigil for Gaza
When: Wednesday, Jan 28th from 9pm - 9:30 pm
Where: Smith Reading Room (usually the quiet room inside Olin)

World's first Yiddish Opera... with composer speaking!

Jared Gimbel '11, current President of the Wesleyan Yiddish Club and a Jewish Renaissance Fellow, sends in:

Solomon Epstein of Agawam, MA is bringing a film version of his Opera, "The Dybbuk", to Wesleyan. It was adapted from a libretto from the St. Petersburg Society for Jewish Folk Music, whose efforts were sundered by the persecutions of Stalin and of Hitler.

Performed first in Israel in 1999, "The Dybbuk" is the world's FIRST Yiddish Opera, and a grand step to bringing Yiddish and that vanished world from oblivion to the 21st century.

The opera will be screened with its original cast on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 at 8:00, in PAC 001. Sol will be showing the connection between traditional Jewish folk melodies and his opera in a musical demonstration, in addition to answering questions afterwards.

This is a meaningful historic work, and you should NOT miss it.

When: Sunday, Nov. 16 at 8 pm
Where: PAC 001
Why: awesome Yiddish opera, with the dude who made it there in person!

Interfaith Shabbat - in just a few hours!

Rachel Berkowitz '09 sends in word that tonight's Shabbat services will be the first in a series of events, where different religious communities will especially invite people of all different faiths to come participate:

Curious about spirituality or religious observance on campus? Came to the Fast-a-Thon, and would like to get involved with interfaith action here at Wesleyan? The Interfaith Justice League's planning to visit a different religious/spiritual service each week, and you're invited!

This week we're going to Shabbat services, 6:15 this Friday at the Bayit! Shabbat is a great time to take a break between the schoolweek and the weekend to rest, sing, pray, and eat good food. The service will be specially designed to be inclusive and open to all, and will be followed by a delicious home-cooked dinner. If you have questions, feel free to e-mail bsachshamilt@wes.

This is the first event in an "Open Doors" series of open religious/spiritual gatherings around campus, organized by the Interfaith Justice League and various faith communities. Keep your eyes open for more upcoming events.

When: 6:15 pm (today! like in two hours)
Where: the Bayit (157 Church St., the big brick building across the street from Open House, near the corner of Church and High)

Birthright: free trip to Israel

Avi Smith '09 sends in the following info:

Heard of Birthright? It's a free trip to Israel, happening over winter break, and you're eligible as long as you have at least one Jewish parent and haven't been on a peer trip to Israel since you were 12. The trip will probably be all Wesleyan students and their friends.

Registration for Birthright is Sept 10th, a week from Wednesday, so if you're thinking of going, you need to act fast!! They are having fewer and fewer Birthright trips each year because of rising gas prices and the dollar going down, so this is the year to go!

Informational meetings:
- Sunday, Sept 7, 3pm, the Bayit (157 Church St) and
- Thursday, September 4, 7:30 pm also at the Bayit
You only need to come to one meeting, and bring your laptop if you can.

If you're considering going at all, you should come to the meeting. registration is soon and fills up fast!

If you have more questions, check out www.israelexperts.com/taglit or
email Avi Smith(aesmith) or Rachel Berkowitz (rberkowitz).

It's a pretty sweet (and totally free) trip full of interesting dialogue, and Avi and Rachel are pretty much going to be the greatest leaders ever. I highly recommend it.

Bring Proof, All Ye Who Enter Here

For those of who love searching for the afikomen like a little kid or eating latkes drenched in applesauce, even if it means struggling through the four questions every other year, rest assured that you may continue to enjoy these things even if the State of Israel doesn't think you're really Jewish.

If you want to get married, on the other hand, you may have some issues. The New York Times Magazine has published a fascinating article on just how difficult it can be to prove you're a Jew. As the article astutely notes, there was a time when it was pretty damn safe to assume that no one would illegitimately claim to be Jewish - there just wasn't anything to be gained. I guess that's no longer true.

Does this make sense? Well, to me at least, it seems like there are few enough of us as it is - no real need to be exclusive. On the other hand, clubs that everyone can join are intrinsically less fun... (ahh for the days of "NO GiRLZ").