Waving Flags Doesn't Work Anymore

There's been a move from flag-waving tactics to emphasizing-Israeli-culture tactics in terms of Israel advocacy on campus.

People are looking to connect people to Israel with videos like this:



But: Is that all there is? Does that define what is supposed to make Israel so special and integral to our students' identities?

More and more, campus professionals are sensing a disconnect. Students are asking - what does this have to do with me? In the best cases, Israel ends up being an add-on.

What do we expect when our Israel celebrations are, honestly, kind of lame? We can't possibly wave any more flags, eat any more falafel, or listen to any more music with unintelligible lyrics.

The suggestion: When Jews in America celebrate Israel Independence Day, they're not identifying with it as "HOME."

Our challenge - to make Israel part of the Jewish narrative.
So, Buckeye Jews - do you think this sounds like something that would make celebrating Israel more compelling for you? What would be the best way to do it?

Jewish FAIL

My friend Jean Maskuli, Punk Torah contributor, fellow blogger and rabbi-type and generally hilarious lady just published the inaugural edition of  the weekly Jewish Fail Awards. 

She says the Jewish Fail Awards are not supposed to be about serious stuff, the impetus being all this internet sniping between Jews about this generation's view of the State of Israel and whether it's okay for us to change our feelings about it, and maybe even what it's okay for those feelings to be. (Read the original article here, and some commentary here and here and here, it is interesting stuff and you will find yourself in this discussion. Except the part where it gets nasty. I hope you don't find yourself in there.)

That's actually the kind of the point of the Jewish Fail I want to contribute to this week - Korach. I've blogged here a little bit about the Israelite's journey through the desert that we started reading about a couple of weeks ago. The basic authority structure during this time was: Moses + his team of judges = leadership (dealing with he people), Aharon (Moses' brother) + his family = priesthood (dealing with G-d.) 

Korach and his buddies decided they didn't like how Moses and Aharon had been leading things, and they didn't like how they had gotten the jobs in the first place. They think they know everything, and they think they can do just as good a job as Aharon, if not better.

FAIL. The earth opened up and swallowed all of them for this little episode.

Yes, yes, I know. There is a very thin line between FAIL-level dissent and arguing l'shem shamayim (for the greater good.) But that line is also very, VERY clear.

Here's the thing. We're the Jewish people. We argue, we kvetch. It's what we do, and it should even be encouraged, if it's done in the right way. You want to dissent, and that's great. You want to go against the grain, and believe me, I get that. It's great actually - it's what we're commanded to do. It's our imperative as a people to challenge.

But when I get uncomfortable is when we do it just to stir a pot, to be flippant, or to flaunt our disillusion or ignorance without having anything helpful to add to the conversation.

What I really hate is when we're unkind to one another, and what makes my blood boil is when we're disrespectful. That just makes us look bad - all of us.


Hopefully, this week, our Torah portion reminds us and calls us to be thoughtful, kind, and respectful, in ALL our conversations and challenges - especially the Jewish ones.

(D'var Torah for Parshat Korach, Numbers 16-18.)

Why I Love Being Jewish Part 1

Last week was a blast thanks to all the fabulous events in honor of Israel's 61st Birthday! OSU Hillel set out to find out why students love being Jewish at Hillel's Yom Ha'atzmaut festival.

Shalom L'Kulam!

שלום לכולם!

Shalom l'kulam (everyone)!

Welcome to the first post of the Israel Dispatch on OSU Hillel's blog! Stay tuned for updates on Hillel's Israel programs, pictures from Israel and around campus from Israel activities, and general updates on everyone's favorite Jewish homeland!

Interested in getting involved in Israel programs? Contact Kasa Bayisin (kasanesh@gmail.com) at Hillel and she'd love to get you started! We also have a great team of interns and involved students, so feel free to ask any of them!

Want to be active with Israel on a weekly basis? Come to Hebrew for Beginners and Advanced Students every week! No matter the purpose - help with homework, learn how to order dinner in Hebrew to impress your Israeli date, or become fluent in conversational Hebrew. (Need another incentive? It's free and we'll have snacks!)

• For beginners, come on TUESDAY nights at 6:30 p.m. (in the Bagel Cafe!)
  
• For more advanced, come on WEDNESDAY nights at 7:00 p.m. (also in the Bagel Cafe!)

And now for the Hebrew Word of the Week!
שלג (she-leg) = snow (something we've had quite a lot of lately!)

Hump day happening

So it's the middle of the week! What has Hillel been up to and what's coming up next?

This past Monday, a huge crowd came to Homer's Phobia, put on by Jewish Queers and Allies. Everyone viewed a screening of the controversial Simpson’s episode “Homer’s Phobia” which was the first time the series featured a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) theme. After the viewing, Hillel student leader Steve Feldman led a discussion on the episode.

It was informative, enlightening and delicious! (Thanks to the yummy french toast)

Steve Feldman leading an intriguing discussion to a captive crowd.

Mmm...breakfast food.

Tuesday Rabbi LeighAnn and Seth trekked over to Bradley hall for Challaween, where students got to bake their own Challah roll.

Marc is on a mission: make the perfect Challah.

Sam is proud of her Challah folding abilities.

Friday 10/31: Ohio Loves Israel Shabbat: Celebrate Ohio, Israel, and Shabbat all at the same time.
Shish kebabs, Falafel, Hummus, Pita, and MORE! Fill up before the Halloween festivities (even come in costume if you want!) in the best of company.
Come for just dinner, just services, or both - we'd just love to see you.

(Reform and Conservative) Services at 6:00, (FREE) Dinner at 7:00
@ Hillel.

Sunday 11/2: 2008 Ohio Loves Israel Summit: The Ohio Loves Israel Summit is a day-long event, held at OSU Hillel, which brings together student leaders and community members from around the state. The Summit offers Israel workshop and learning sessions for both novice and knowledgeable participants. Sessions offer insight into Israeli culture, people, history, contemporary issues and society.

Following the sessions, a culminating dinner invites students and community members to join together to celebrate the relationship between Ohio and Israel. The goal of the Ohio Loves Israel Summit is to foster community within each campus, between campuses, within the state and Midwest region, and between campus and the broader community all the while increasing participants' knowledge of and commitment to Israel.

Registration begins at 11:30 am, and includes FREE lunch and dinner.

The entire event is at Hillel.

For more info, visit http://ohiolovesisrael.googlepages.com.

It may be getting cold out, but it's always warm at Hillel.

The high holidays are done...but there's still lots of fun

Whether or not you celebrated the high holidays at Hillel, you can still be in on all the excitement that goes on here every week!

Hillel hosts a number of student groups catering to every possible interest.
Here's a peek at a few:

Starfish is Hillel's social action team dedicated to making the world a better place. Their programs include PB&Jam (coming soon! November 18!) and Alternative Winter and Spring Break.

The Israel Action Committee puts on a variety of events ranging from advocacy seminars to outrageous Middle Eastern themed parties. Perhaps one of the most exciting programs is a free trip to Israel!


For more info on each student group click here.

Hot events for the week of 10/27:
10/27: Homer's Phobia: Jewish Queers and Allies presents The Simpson's episode, "Homer's Phobia." Enjoy lively discussion, yummy food, and of course a screening of the episode
7pm at Hillel

10/28: CHALLAween: What is Challah? What is its traditional and contemporary significance? And isn't it cool that "CHALLAween" sounds like "Halloween?" Braid and bake your very own crazy-colored challah in celebration of the American holiday.
6pm at Bradley Hall

11/2: Ohio Loves Israel: This annual event will host speakers specializing in all different focuses of Ohio and Israel. Come join us for a free day to eat, laugh and learn.
11:30 am at Hillel

Believe it or not this is only a portion of all the programs next week, for more info click here.

Keep checking this blog for event info, student highlights, and tons of pictures!