www.chabadoncampus.org | Blogs | Rabbi Hershey's Notes

Seder page is finally up!

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 3:31:00 AM

According to a survey taken last year, we will likely see many returning faces around our table—96 percent of last years’ Seder participants said they would choose to spend the holiday with us again! <A href="http://chabadoncampus.org/seder">http://chabadoncampus.org/seder</A> What do you think?

A Google contextual ad

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 2:08:00 PM

What are the odds that I will actually click--and buy--from this site? <IMG hspace=5 src="/media/images/265/xnTf2653126.jpg" align=left vspace=5>

Death of the Kosher Meal Plan... Long live Kosher food!

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 6:19:00 PM

Details in today's <A href="http://www.studlife.com/news/kosher_meal_points_to_end">Student Life</A>.

Reflections on Mumbai...

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 2:27:00 AM

Dear Friends, It was with profound shock that we heard the terrible news: Rabbi Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg, dedicated directors of Chabad of Mumbai, were among those brutally murdered in the attack on the Mumbai Chabad House. Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of India, and all the innocent victims and their families. <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/774874/jewish/Reflections-on-Mumbai.htm">More...</A>

I Voted...

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 11:37:00 AM

Google Translate is not ready for Prime Time

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 1:06:00 PM

Google Translate is an attempt to let their cloud automatically translate from one langugage to another. <A href="http://translate.google.com/">See here for how this works.</A> Let's look at the first verse of a more-commonly translated work, the Torah, <A href="http://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%9E%22%D7%92_%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%AA_%D7%90_%D7%90">courtesy of wikitext</A>... <UL> <LI>Spelling: Genesis א-להים created the heaven and earth <LI>Dotted: At the beginning god created the heavens and the earth. <LI>With flavors: At the beginning god created the heavens and the earth.</LI></UL> I happen to feel that "at the beginning" is more precise than "in the begining", especially in the light of some of the commentators. (The translations for מנוקד and עם טעמים are especially cute: Dotted and With flavors.) <A href="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chabadoncampus.org%2Fparshah%2Frashi%2Fdefault_cdo%2Faid%2F7781%2Fjewish%2FBereishit.htm&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=auto&tl=iw">Check out the translation from English back to Hebrew (modern Ivrit, actually).</A>

Our Article is Now Published...

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 5:56:00 PM

In the Autumn 2008/Tishrei 5769 Issue of CONTACT, the Journal of The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life. Here is the first paragraph: <UL>FOCUSING ON THE PINTELE YID As campus rabbis serving American universities, we both lead constituencies not prone to following. Today’s young people and academics are often alienated from institutional leadership. They’re confident and they feel empowered to celebrate their individuality. We are regularly confronted with a conundrum: how to effectively lead a diverse group of individuals, each with his or her own weltanschauung, while retaining a firm commitment to our own values.</UL> <A href="http://jewishlife.org/pdf/autumn_2008.pdf">More on page 10... </A>(2 MB PDF) The article is co-written by Dov Wagner, rabbi of Chabad @ USC and myself. Let us know what you think!

Who to vote for...

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:42:00 PM

<UL>Rabbi Shmaya Shmotkin, spiritual leader of the Chabad Lubavitch-affiliated The Shul (Orthodox) in Bayside, said, “It’s been a long-standing policy of [Chabad] Lubavitch, instituted by the Rebbe, that as an institution we are not to be involved in politics.” </UL> <UL>“The reason is the way we view our role: to enhance and serve every single Jew, regardless of ideology or political leanings,” he said. </UL> <UL>“Anything that could potentially deter from that mission or make someone with a different view uncomfortable is in our view detrimental.” Therefore, “even if by law we were able to, we wouldn’t do it.” </UL> My feelings exactly. And no, I do not want any more political spam messages either.

Hit a Jew Day II

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 5:57:00 PM

From an avid blog reader: <UL>It's very easy for kids to plan an activity without the faculty knowing about it. If someone would tell, then that kid would be shunned, or scapegoated in some way. You have had very little experience in your school days with antisemitism. Years ago, we had far too much. For example: I had to sit next to C-- S--, who whispered all day, "Jackie-Jew." Nothing I could complain to the teacher about because any action on her part would point to the fact that I had snitched, and I hate to think what would have happened to me if I had. Kids HATE snitchers.</UL> <UL>This is one of the benefits of private, non-secular education. Instead of being a member of a wimpy minority, you're part of a 100%. I think it builds self-esteem. I am not sure that teaching about various cultures and ethnicities can automatically create students who are empathic. I like focusing on what makes us the same to unite a group of varied students. The question is how to develop the skills to relate to strange customs and traditions as an adult?</UL>

"Hit a Jew Day..."

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 8:41:00 PM

<UL>Four or five <A title="2312 Baxter Rd. Chesterfield MO" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2312+Baxter+Rd+Chesterfield+MO&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title" target=_blank>Parkway West Middle School</A> students will be disciplined after administrators found out this week that they had created a “Hit A Jew Day” at the Chesterfield [St. Louis County] school. <A href="http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-grade/public-schools/2008/10/parkway-west-middle-students-to-be-punished-for-hit-a-jew-day/">More...</A></UL> I say: Let's get Kippahs for all the schoolkids (boys girls etc.) to allow everyone to stand in solidarity with the Jews!

"2 for a nickel, 3 for a dime"

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 1:51:00 AM

Such was the call of one pushcart salesman back in the day, in the lower east side. A similar thing happened to me on Friday... <IMG hspace=5 src="/media/images/240/BOib2404726.jpg" align=left vspace=5>

Murphy's Law in Action

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 4:05:00 PM

This Sukkos has been a blessing in so many ways, amazing student leaders, great weather, incredible participation. No gripes here. However, one of the continual hassles preparing for Sukkos is getting Schach, the <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/420826/jewish/5.-Requirements.htm">requisite covering for the Sukkah</A>... Guess when the <A href="http://www.ameren.com/PowerOn/">electric company came to trim back our trees</A>? A week before Sukkos? The day before Sukkos? No friends, right on Chol Hamoed, just a couple of days after Asher and I went on a mission to collect these very branches from other sources... Bummer.

Gather the People

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 2:51:00 PM

Sukkot is a celebration of <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/1647/jewish/Unity-Jewish.htm">Jewish unity</A>. The holiday’s primary mitzvah, sitting in the <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/library/article_cdo/aid/609535/jewish/The-Sukkah.htm">sukkah</A>, is fulfilled collectively by family and friends. The other mitzvah unique to Sukkot, taking the <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4585/jewish/The-Four-Kinds.htm">Four Kinds</A>, symbolizes the intrinsic unity of the (externally) diverse segments of our nation. This Sukkot, however, the focus on Jewish unity is further accentuated. This year is “<A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/library/article_cdo/aid/742767/jewish/Hakhel.htm">Hakhel</A>,” when in ancient times all the Jews -- men, women and children -- would assemble in the <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/238/jewish/Holy-Temple.htm">Holy Temple</A> on Sukkot and listen as the <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/12032/jewish/Kings-of-Israel.htm">Jewish king</A> inspired the nation to fear G-d and observe His <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/1533/jewish/Mitzvah.htm">Mitzvot</A>. As the Psalmist writes, “Behold, how beautiful and pleasant it is for brothers to sit together!” Wishing you and yours an uplifting, joyous and unifying holiday.

Yom Kippur in a Nutshell... On our Site...

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 2:13:00 PM

<A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/177886/jewish/In-a-Nutshell.htm">Yom Kippur in a Nutshell</A> - Forgiveness and atonement, trepidation and joy, angels and penitents, souls and bodies--are these one and the same? Find out on our website... <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4325/jewish/Guide.htm">Yom Kippur Guide</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4452/jewish/Services-At-A-Glance.htm">Services At A Glance</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4324/jewish/Study.htm">Yom Kippur Study</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4726/jewish/Insights.htm">Insights</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4723/jewish/Essays.htm">Essays</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4722/jewish/Readings.htm">Readings</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4721/jewish/Laws-and-Lore.htm">Laws and Lore</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/309964/jewish/AudioVideo.htm">High Holidays Audio/Video</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/745389/jewish/Asking-for-Forgiveness.htm">Asking for Forgiveness</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/745391/jewish/Inscribe-Us-in-the-Book-of-Life.htm">Inscribe Us in the Book of Life</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/718856/jewish/Five-Steps-to-A-New-You.htm">Five Steps to A New You</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/718855/jewish/High-Holiday-Essentials-Yom-Kippur.htm">High Holiday Essentials - Yom Kippur</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/742531/jewish/Souls-on-Fire.htm">Souls on Fire</A> <A href="http://www.chabadoncampus.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/309964/jewish/AudioVideo.htm">More...</A>

A Message for the New Year II

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 11:13:00 AM

Spotted at a local parking lot...<IMG hspace=5 src="/media/images/239/wggk2392856.jpg" align=left vspace=5> (Please note: According to Torah law the divine name is sacred and great care must be taken to accord it proper care and reverence. For this reason, it is best to avoid writing or printing the word G-d in its full spelling in all but the most recognizably sacred books (e.g. a bible or prayer book), lest it be unwittingly defaced of treated irreverently. Since many web users print out pages to read or to pass on, it is best to follow this practice with on-line content as well. Avoiding the display of the actual word "G-d" also serves to remind us that even as we discuss the Almighty and His influence upon our lives, He is above and beyond all our words; that even as we are enjoined, by the Almighty Himself, to seek Him with our thought, speech and deeds, He transcends all human effort to name and describe His reality. --Yanki Tauber, editor, chabad.org)