[Jewish] Fwd: Soref Initiative Monthly - January

[Beth Deal]

Hi guys,

We are a Soref campus suprizingly enough. Their newletters tend to be
long, but look at the table of contents. Want to do things Jewish this
summer?, look at their list. 

Shalom, Beth

ps. Enjoy the snow. It is a balmy 65-75 here in San Diego and gets down
to a frigid 40 at night.

--- soref at Hillel.org wrote:
> Subject: Soref Initiative Monthly - January
> From: soref at Hillel.org
> Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 20:41:16 -0500
> 
> Welcome to....
> 
> THE SOREF INITIATIVE MONTHLY:
> The Online Newsletter All About the Soref Initiative
> and the Campuses It Serves
> 
> January 2003         Shevat 5763
> 
> *****************************************************
> THE SOREF INITIATIVE MONTHLY is an electronic
> newsletter reaching Hillel students, faculty,
> advisors, professionals, volunteers, and lay leaders
> dedicated to working with the Soref Initiative for
> Emerging Campuses to build Jewish life in communities
> with small Jewish populations and limited resources.
> Your contributions and feedback are welcomed.
> Please e-mail them to soref at hillel.org.
> *****************************************************
> 
> CONTENTS...
> 
> 1.   A NOTE FROM RICHARD JOEL
> 
> 2.   REGISTER NOW FOR THE CHARLOTTE AND JACK J.
>    SPITZER B'NAI BRITH HILLEL FORUM ON PUBLIC POLICY
> 
> 3.   SOCIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES
> 
> 4.   GRANTS AVAILABLE!
> 
> 5.   ISRAEL RESOURCES
> 
> 6.   CREATIVE PROGRAMS
> 
> 7.   TU B'SHEVAT SEDER
> 
> 8.   KESHER CONVENTION
> 
> 9.   CHECK IT OUT!
> 
> 10.  ATTENTION BIRTHRIGHT ALUMNI
> 
> 11.  SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
> 
> 12.  LOOKING FOR A JOB AFTER GRADUATION?
> 
> 13.  TRIVIA QUESTION
> 
> 14.  JEWISH LEARNING ? FULFILLING DREAMS
> 
> 15.  SUBMISSION AND SUBSCRIPTION
> 
> ====================================
> 1.  A NOTE FROM RICHARD JOEL
> ====================================
> With joy, humility, and gratitude to G-d, I share the
> news that I have this evening been elected President
> of Yeshiva University. Esther and I have spent the
> past six weeks struggling with what our life path
> should be. As many of you know, I was contacted by
> some of Yeshiva's leadership just before the
> wonderful opening of our international headquarters.
> Since that time, we've been exploring what the
> challenges and opportunities of YU would be, and
> wrestling with whether I had the capacity to make a
> difference in that special institution.
> 
> As you can imagine, I am overwhelmed by the
> responsibility and opportunity presented. Yeshiva is
> a wonderful place, representing the philosophy of
> Torah U'Mada, the synthesis of Torah and worldly
> knowledge that is the challenge for each of us. As a
> product of Yeshiva, in various ways, my wife and I
> have a special bond with that institution. As the
> alma mater of our eldest three children, we obviously
> believe it is critical to the future of our people.
> 
> I am inspired by a vision of a Jewish renaissance. I
> believe Yeshiva University is central to that vision.
> Having a chance to foster the advancement of those
> ideals is an opportunity we could not resist.
> 
> The past 14 1/2 years have been the most wondrous and
> joyous of my life. I have been privileged to work in
> partnership with you to kindle flames of Jewish
> passion and purpose for a generation. Your friendship
> means more than I can express. I pray that it
> continues, even as our paths may diverge.
> 
> I will be working with Edgar Bronfman, Neil Moss, and
> the Hillel leadership to plan for a seamless
> transition. I expect to remain at Hillel for a while
> until I assume my responsibilities at Yeshiva. I
> always say I have the best job in Jewish life. You
> have helped make it so. My hope is I can now have
> another best job in Jewish life.
> 
> With gratitude and affection,
> Richard
> 
> ====================================
> 2.  REGISTER TODAY!
> ====================================
> 
> CHARLOTTE AND JACK J. SPITZER BNAI BRITH HILLEL
> FORUM ON PUBLIC POLICY
> February 23-25, 2003
> Baltimore, Maryland
> 
> Join hundreds of other students at the Charlotte and
> Jack J. Spitzer B'nai Brith Hillel Forum. The Spitzer
> Forum is a three-day conference for Jewish students
> interested in social justice issues such as
> education, literacy, environment, health, poverty and
> many other issues.  Student will have the opportunity
> to learn skills such as political activism, advocacy,
> and grassroots organizing.  Students from around the
> world will participate in skill building workshops,
> learn from experts in social justice issues and
> network with other campus activists. Students will
> also have the opportunity to learn how the Jewish
> community is responding to doing about these issues
> and how they can get involved.
> 
> Hurry because registration closes January 17, 2003.
> Registration and scholarship forms can be found at
> http://www.hillel.org/Hillel/NewHille.nsf/conferences
> /sfpp_reg.  For more information contact Brianne
> Nadeau at bnadeau at hillel.org.
> 
> **SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES**
> 
> TRAVEL: Do you go to school in Montana, Idaho,
> British Columbia, Washington, or Oregon?  If so,
> there are $300 travel scholarships available!
> Register today!
> 
> REGISTRATION & PROGRAMMING: Faculty advisors may
> nominate one student who is interested in the
> environment to become a COEJL BLOOME SCHOLAR at the
> Spitzer Forum. Five scholars will be chosen to
> participate in a program that complements the COEJL
> Environment Focus, which will include sessions on
> environmental issues, workshops on Jewish
> environmental programming, and opportunities for
> scholars to meet with Jewish environmental leaders.
> Through the support of COEJL, each COEJL Bloome
> Scholar will receive a scholarship of $100 towards
> the Spitzer Forum.  Upon return from the conference,
> each Hillel will receive a $100 "Judaism and the
> Environment" programming grant. COEJL Bloome Scholars
> will be responsible for the implementation of a new
> and creative program dealing with environmental
> awareness and action. In addition, scholars will be
> asked to participate in 2 conference calls prior to
> and following the Spitzer Forum.  NOMINATIONS WILL BE
> ACCEPTED UNTIL JANUARY 24, 2003.
> 
> ====================================
> 3.  SOCIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES
> ====================================
> 
> TZEDEK UNIVERSITY ? BEGINNING JANUARY 29, 2003
> 
> Tzedek Hillel will be offering a new resource of
> monthly conference calls for students and
> professionals. Each call will focus on a different
> skill or issue that addresses social justice issues.
> The first call will be led by H. Eric Schockman,
> executive director of Mazon: A Jewish Response to
> Hunger. It will be held January 29, 2003 at noon EST
> for professionals and 6 pm EST for students. For more
> information, contact Brianne Nadeau at
> bnadeau at hillel.org.
> 
> TZEDEK EXEMPLAR OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS
> 
> Nominations are being accepted for the Tzedek
> Exemplar of Excellence Student and Campus Awards. The
> student award honors those who have pursued justice
> and transformed their communities on campus and
> beyond. The campus award honors Hillels that place
> social justice at the center of their work and whose
> original, campus-generated programs embody the
> highest standards in pursuing justice and
> transforming communities. Awards will be presented at
> the 2003 Charlotte and Jack J. Spitzer B'nai B'rith
> Hillel Forum on Public Policy. Nomination forms may
> be downloaded from the Hillel Web site at
> http://www.hillel.org/hillel/newhille.nsf/conferences
> /spitzer?OpenDocument. Deadline is February 1. For
> more information, contact Brianne Nadeau, Tzedek
> Fellow, bnadeau at hillel.org
> 
> =================================
> 4.  GRANTS AVAILABLE!
> =================================
> 
> RECEIVE UP TO $1200 FOR YOUR CAMPUS
> 
> The Soref Initiative has special funds for programs,
> up to $500 for an individual program, up to $1200 per
> campus per academic year.  Grant applications are on
> the web at www.hillel.org.  Click on grants (under
> resources) on the sidebar.
> 
> Grant applications must be for a program that has NOT
> already occurred and applications must be student
> written.  Programs that will be considered for
> funding will be NEW to campus and will not be a
> program that has been previously funded.  Partnering
> with another campus or national organization will
> oftentimes earn applicants more funding.
> 
> All Soref grant applications MUST be received no
> later than one month prior to your program.
> 
> If the deadline for Soref grants has passed and the
> proposed program has strong Jewish content,
> students are encouraged to apply for the Grinspoon
> Quick Turn-Around Grant.  Contact Shira Hutt at 202-
> 449-6589 or shutt at hillel.org for more information.
> 
> For your convenience, all Soref grants will be
> reviewed and applicants will be notified within one
> week of submission.
> 
> All of this information, the grant application, and
> much more are available at www.soref.hillel.org.
> Please contact Abby at 202-449-6594 or
> akornfeld at hillel.org with any questions or concerns.
> 
> ===============================================
> 5.  ISRAEL RESOURCES
> ===============================================
> 
> ISRAEL ADVOCACY GRANTS ? UP TO $7,500
> 
> Hillel's Israel Advocacy Grants, made possible
> through the AVI CHAI Foundation, are designed to
> foster innovative Israel programming or other
> initiatives on campus and to develop student
> leadership. Grant awards are for up $7,500 will be
> considered for Israel programming on campus.
> Preference will be given to projects focusing on
> Jewish students on campus with a minimal connection
> to Israel, training for activists to better address
> campus needs, engaging other target audiences on
> campus and educational programming. We will also look
> favorably on programs that continue throughout the
> year and involve coalition building or several other
> organizations.  Grant applications will be reviewed
> periodically.  Contact Shira Landau,
> slandau at hillel.org for more information.
> 
> ISRAEL EDUCATION MONTH ? BEGINNING JANUARY 19
> 
> Second semester provides an invaluable opportunity to
> engage Jewish students and make Israel come alive on
> campus.  In conjunction with Israel Education Month,
> sponsored by the United Jewish Communities, JESNA and
> the Jewish Agency for Israel, Hillel's Center for
> Israel Affairs is pleased to present program best
> practices and resources to plan innovative Israel
> encounters and set the tone for students' return to
> campus second semester.  We encourage you to plan at
> least one program on your campus.  Additional updates
> and resources will follow from the CIA throughout the
> second semester. To plan an event check out
> http://cms.hillel.org/NR/Hillel_files/Israel/DOCS/iem
> .pdf or for more information contact Shira Landau,
> Israel Fellow, at slandau at hillel.org or 202-449-6583.
> 
> =====================================
> 6.  CREATIVE PROGRAMS!
> =====================================
> 
> BRAIN FREEZE: As a mid-semester study break students
> at Lesley Hillel hosted "Brain Freeze:" a Ben and
> Jerry's ice cream study break and movie.  Students
> watched Disney's "Monsters Inc.", made stress balls
> with balloons and flour, and enjoyed free Ben and
> Jerry's ice cream.
> 
> PLANT A POT!  January 18th is Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish
> equivalent of Arbor Day.  Set up a table with clay
> pots and let people plant seeds and paint pots to
> celebrate!  Some students plant dill, which can be
> used at the Passover Seder as Karpas (greens).
> 
> ROCK CLIMBING:  Students at Western Michigan in
> conjunction with students from Albion College, Grand
> Valley State University, and Kalamazoo College are in
> the process of planning "Climb Kalamazoo," a Rock
> Climbing program which provides an alternative forum
> for networking and for studying texts about
> overcoming obstacles.
> 
> ISRAEL:  California State University at Chico holds
> weekly discussions with Rabbi Yizhak Nates at the
> Hillel center about current Israel events. In
> addition, they had an all-day Israel
> Information/Israel for Peace event on the Free Speech
> quad at CSUC on the 21st of November. An Israeli
> Bedouin also spoke on November 18th about being a
> citizen of Israel from a minority group that serves
> in the military.
> 
> RETREAT:  Students at the University of Alberta put
> together an overnight retreat focusing on
> strengthening Jewish identity and training Israel
> advocates.
> 
> ====================================
> 7.  TU B'SHEVAT SEDER
> ====================================
> 
> This year Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish New Year for trees,
> falls on January 18.  The Joseph Meyerhoff Center for
> Jewish Learning is preparing an innovative Tu
> B'Shevat Seder that is now available on the Hillel
> Web site.  Visit www.hillel.org, and click on the
> Jewish resources tab. For additional information
> contact Elliot Kaplowitz at (202) 449-6591 or
> ekaplowitz at hillel.org.
> 
> Is school not yet in session?  Try having the seder
> on Earth Day this year!
> 
> =====================================
> 8.  KESHER CONVENTION
> =====================================
> 
> KESHER Convention is coming this March 20-23 to the
> campuses of NYU and HUC-JIR in New York City.  Reform
> campus leaders and others interested in learning
> about Reform Judaism will gather together for four
> days of networking, learning, socializing, singing,
> praying and much, much more. You are invited to
> rejuvenate yourself in this dynamic atmosphere of
> committed, passionate Reform Jews.
> 
> Approximately 150 students are expected to attend,
> and highlights will include:
> 
> *Exciting keynote speakers
> *Reform worship and song sessions
> *Fun night out in Manhattan
> *Helping the needy of New York
> *Workshops taught by top HUC-JIR faculty and
> leadership of the UAHC
> *Networking for Reform campus leaders
> *Reunions for UAHC Eisner and Crane Lake Camps staff
> members and NFTY alumni
> *A visit to a Jewish museum
> *Reform Jewish college students from around North
> America gathered on the campuses of New York
> University and the Hebrew Union College ? Jewish
> Institute of Religion
> 
> Registration is now available online at
> www.keshernet.com/convention/2003main.html, so don't
> delay!
> 
> ====================================
> 9.  CHECK IT OUT!
> ====================================
> 
> "JEWISH U: A CONTEMPORARY GUIDE FOR THE JEWISH
> COLLEGE STUDENT"
> 
> A new book "Jewish U: A Contemporary Guide for the
> Jewish College Student," written by Rabbi Scott Aaron
> and published by the UAHC Press, is now available.
> This pluralistic guide is laid out according to the
> academic calendar and contains discussions and
> resources for students on everything from Jewish dorm
> living to deciding about Greek and social life to
> integrating Shabbat/holidays into the campus
> calendar.  The book, which features a forward written
> by Richard Joel, is a good resource for incoming
> students. Anyone interested in additional information
> on the book should contact Scott at
> saaron at thebbi.org.
> 
> ====================================
> 10.  ATTENTION BIRTHRIGHT ALUMNI
> ====================================
> 
> Did you or someone you know go on a birthright Trip?
> Interested in connecting with others who have had
> similar experiences?  Sign up now for a special Soref
> birthright israel discussion listserve and you'll
> have the opportunity to reconnect with your peers,
> resources available to you!  Tell everyone!
> 
> This winter over 100 students from campuses served by
> the Soref Initiative explored the land of Israel
> on birthright israel.  If you have not yet been to
> Israel on a peer led trip and are looking for the
> experience of a lifetime, get ready for the June
> birthright trip.
> 
> To sign up for this listserve send an email to Abby
> at akornfeld at Hillel.org with the subject line SUB BI.
> 
> ====================================
> 11.  SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES!
> ====================================
> 
> BRANDEIS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
> 
> Over the past 60 summers, the Brandeis Collegiate
> Institute, or BCI, has challenged almost 10,000 young
> Jewish adults from around the world to spend a month
> of their summer exploring their Judaism through
> innovative and dynamic programming.  Jewish
> professionals and lay leaders have credited their
> involvement in the Jewish community to the 26 days
> they spent at BCI one summer.
> 
> BCI has a historic relationship with the Soref
> Initiative for Emerging Campuses, and a commitment to
> partnership in meeting the needs of students from
> campuses with smaller Jewish populations and limited
> resources.  Scholarships are available from the Soref
> Initiative for attendance at BCI.  For more
> information and an application, check out
> www.thebbi.org/bci or contact Felix Grudsky
> felix2003 at yahoo.com for a first-hand account of this
> awesome summer program!
> 
> ELAT CHAYYIM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
> 
> This summer a small group of people will have the
> unforgettable opportunity of working and living
> together in community while studying with some of the
> most creative Jewish teachers of the 21st century.
> Free summer internships, an invaluable work-study
> exchange, are available at Elat Chayyim, the Jewish
> Renewal Spiritual Retreat Center in Accord, New York,
> for the full 6.5 week period from July 7-August 19,
> 2003.  For more information and an application,
> contact Phyllis Berman at bermanpo at aol.com.
> 
> AUSCHWITZ JEWISH CENTER SCHOLARS PROGRAM
> 
> The Auschwitz Jewish Center Scholars Program is
> accepting applications for the summer of 2003.  Based
> in Oswiecim, Poland a few kilometers from the
> Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps, scholars are charged
> with attempting to keep alive the memories of a
> vibrant Jewish past, while simultaneously considering
> the application of the lessons to be learned from the
> devastation of the Holocaust.  In the process, they
> meet with Holocaust survivors and righteous gentiles,
> engage in dialogue with Polish and German youth, and
> explore the revival of Jewish culture in Poland.
> Ideal opportunity for grad students with interest in
> Modern Jewish History, Holocaust Studies, Human
> Rights Studies, Jewish Christian Relations, Jewish
> Communal Service, and Jewish Education.  Scholars are
> fully reimbursed for all housing and travel expenses
> and receive a stipend.  For more information, check
> out www.ajcf.org or contact the Auschwitz Jewish
> Center at (212) 575-1050 or info at ajcf.org.
> 
> SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR OPPORTUNITIES!
> 
> The Cohen Foundation Camps, Camps Pembroke (MA), Tel
> Noar (NH), and Tevya (NH), were founded over 60 years
> ago by Eli and Bessie Cohen who believed in young
> people and their Jewish heritage. Today, the camps
> continue to operate under the founder's original
> mission, to combine the experience of living Jewishly
> with a residential camp environment. Each camp is now
> recruiting for key counselor positions for the 2003
> camp season.  For further information and an on-line
> counselor application, call 800-375-8444 or visit
> www.cohencamps.org.
> 
> Camp Seneca Lake is a private camp in a traditional
> and religious Jewish environment.  It consists of an
> athletic staff dedicated to teaching sports, an
> educational staff dedicated to teaching Torah and
> much more.  Job positions for this upcoming summer
> are available for college students.  For more
> information please call the camp at 718-261-2267 or
> e-mail senecalake at mindspring.com. Check out the camp
> at www.senecalake.com.
> 
> SPEND ONE MONTH IN URUGUAY
> 
> Hillel Uruguay invites you on an exciting opportunity
> to learn Spanish, meet new people, participate in
> Hillel activities and help the local community. This
> month-long program includes classes in Spanish,
> accommodations in a four star-hotel, two kosher meals
> a day, transportation to and from the airport,
> participation in Hillel activities and a trip to
> Punta del Este (South America's coolest beach resort)
> for $1200 (airfare not included), plus $150
> registration fee.  For more information e-mail
> rporze at montevideo.com.uy.
> 
> STUDY JUDAISM IN A NATURAL SETTING
> 
> Moodus: Torah Institute provides opportunities for
> students and young professionals to come together in
> a natural setting for two weeks during the summer to
> deepen their Jewish knowledge.  Separate men's and
> women's sessions are convened at two locations in
> Connecticut and California.  Small group classes are
> supplemented by one-on-one, chevrutah-style learning.
> Spirited Shabbat celebrations frame the students'
> intensive study experiences.  There also is plenty of
> time for relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors.
> Individuals from all Jewish backgrounds and
> educational levels are encouraged to attend.  For
> more information, including an application and
> program costs, please visit www.moodus.org or call
> Rabbi Tvi Teitelbaum at 301-681-3334.
> 
> ============================================
> 12.  LOOKING FOR A JOB AFTER GRADUATION?
> ============================================
> 
> STEINHARDT JEWISH CAMPUS SERVICE CORPS
> 
> With graduation right around the corner and plans for
> "real life" getting made, you're probably thinking
> about life after college.  If another degree isn't in
> your immediate future and you're not sure of your
> employment plans, you should consider Hillel's
> Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corps Fellowship.
> The Fellowship is a paid position for recent college
> graduates and allows you to: create programs of your
> own, work with college students, build your own
> Jewish community, and affect the quality of life for
> thousands of your peers across the country!  You'll
> learn marketing, public relations, event management,
> and leadership and communication skills.  You can
> network with university administration, community
> leaders, and students.  You will be an activist, a
> motivator, and an entrepreneur all rolled into one!
> The application is online, so visit
> www.jcsc.hillel.org to apply now!
> 
> SAMUEL AND HELENE SOREF FELLOWSHIP 2003-2004
> 
> Does creating a Jewish community peak your
> interest?  Are you intrigued by the notion of helping
> other students find a Jewish community on campus?  If
> you answered "Yes!" to these questions, then you
> should consider the Samuel and Helene Soref
> Fellowship as your first job after graduation! The
> Soref Fellow helps coordinate the Soref Initiative
> for Emerging Campuses, which offers resources to
> Jewish students and faculty on over 350 campuses with
> small Jewish populations. This is a paid 12-month
> opportunity for graduating seniors and is located in
> Hillel's Schusterman International Center in
> Washington, DC.  For information, a full job
> description and an application, please contact Rachel
> Gurshman, Assistant Director of Human Resources, at
> rgurshman at hillel.org.
> 
> This Fellowship is one of six offered in the
> International Center.  Other opportunities include
> the Bittker Fellowship (student leadership
> development), the Bronfman Fellowship (aide to
> Hillel's President and International Director), the
> Israel Fellowship (Israel issues and advocacy), the
> Iyyun Fellowship (Jewish learning), and the Tzedek
> Fellowship (social justice).
> 
> JEWISH TEACHER CORPS
> 
> The Jewish Teacher Corps, modeled after Teach For
> America, and supported by a grant from the AVI CHAI
> Foundation and under the aegis of Edah, seeks the
> most passionate and brightest of our community to
> briefly serve for a two-year period in a Jewish Day
> School in North America. Applications may be
> downloaded from our website, www.jtcorps.org., or
> call 1 888 582 6777 (JTCORPS)
> 
> PROJECT OTZMA
> 
> OTZMA is a leadership training program in Israel
> which North Americans between the ages of 20-25 spend
> 10 months doing volunteer service in Israel. OTZMA
> participants have the opportunity to study Hebrew,
> live and work "hands on" in an absorption center with
> immigrants from around the world, live on either a
> kibbutz or youth village, and work in host cities
> around Israel contributing to the community.
> 
> If you are independent, resourceful and a risk-
> taker?this program gives you the opportunity to dive
> into your future and "Make a Difference."
> Check out our website at www.projectotzma.org, email
> us at otzma at ujc.org or call (877) GO-OTZMA (466-8962)
> for more information.
> 
> JEWISH ORGANIZING INITIATIVE FELLOWSHIP
> 
> The Jewish Organizing Initiative is looking for you.
> They offer one-year paid fellowships for Jewish young
> adults interested in social justice work and building
> a Jewish community.  Visit www.jewishorganizing.org
> for more information and an application.
> 
> JDC-JEWISH SERVICE CORPS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
> 
> Would you like to live abroad for a year?  Work with
> a Jewish community doing something unique,
> challenging, and life changing? The JDC sends self-
> starting, creative, college graduates to work and
> live in international Jewish communities.  Volunteers
> work on a variety of programs, including Jewish
> education, community outreach and welfare/relief
> projects.  The JDC provides housing, a monthly
> stipend, health insurance, and covers all work
> related expenses.  This opportunity offers a chance
> to enhance professional and life skills.  There are
> currently positions available in Romania, Turkey,
> India, Poland, Vienna, and Ethiopia.  For more
> information visit jdc.org/help/volunteer.htm, or
> contact Sarah Eisenman at (212) 885-0866 or by email
> sarahe at jdcny.org.
> 
> 
> ====================================
> 13.  TRIVIA
> ====================================
> 
> The first person to e-mail soref at hillel.org, with the
> correct answer to the following trivia question will
> receive an extra fifteen dollars on any Soref grant
> application.
> 
> Q. What if the hokey pokey IS what it is all about?
> A. ???
> 
> Congratulations to Cheryl Kurn from Rowan
> University, winner of last month's trivia quiz. The
> correct answer to the question "What phrase is
> repeated at the end of Robert Frost's poem "Stopping
> by the Woods on a Snowy Eve"" is "Miles to go before
> I sleep."
> 
> ====================================
> 14.  JEWISH LEARNING
> ====================================
> 
> During the month of January, we read about the
> Children of Israel's slavery in Egypt, the plagues
> that God brings against the Egyptians and the Exodus
> from Egypt.
> 
> There is an interesting verse that appears as God is
> commanding Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh and
> demand that he let the Children of Israel go.  Exodus
> 6:13 says, "So the Lord spoke to both Moses and Aaron
> and commanded them ? to the Children of Israel and to
> Pharaoh the King of Egypt ? to deliver the Israelites
> from the land of Egypt."  According to a literal
> reading of the verse, God commands both the Children
> of Israel and Pharaoh.  We know that He commands
> Pharaoh to send the Children of Israel from Egypt,
> but what does He command the Jews?  Because there is
> no obvious answer to this question, most biblical
> commentators reread the verse to say that God
> commanded Pharaoh concerning the Children of Israel,
> to deliver them from the land of Egypt.
> 
> There are, however, some authorities that do accept a
> literal reading of the verse.  One such person is the
> sage Rabbi Samuel the son of Rav Isaac, whose opinion
> appears in the Jerusalem Talmud.  Rabbi Samuel
> explains: "About what did God command them?  About
> the commandment of sending away Hebrew slaves."  The
> commandment to send away Hebrew slaves applies during
> the Shemita, or Sabbatical year.  Every seventh year
> is a Shemita year during which the land of Israel
> must lay fallow, all debts are forgiven, and Hebrew
> slaves are allowed to go free.
> 
> At first glance it is odd that Rabbi Samuel thinks
> the commandment to send away Hebrew slaves was given
> at this point ? when the Jews were still slaves
> themselves in Egypt.  There were only a select few
> laws that were given to the Jews before the
> revelation at Mt. Sinai, almost all of which were
> immediately observed by the Jews.  The commandment to
> send away Hebrew slaves cannot take hold until the
> Jews live in the land of Israel and own slaves
> themselves.  Why, then, would this commandment be
> given to the Jews while they are in Egypt and still
> slaves to Pharaoh?
> 
> One answer to this question may be that commanding
> the Israelites about the laws of sending away slaves
> at this moment ? when they are stuck in the depths of
> their own slavery ? is a way to concretize their
> feelings of frustration and contempt for their
> current situation.  Such feelings certainly led the
> Children of Israel to think to themselves that they
> would never subjugate people in the same way that the
> Egyptians had subjugated them.  It is one thing to
> have an emotional abhorrence to slavery based on
> their personal experience; however, such emotions are
> often lost when the situation is different.  There is
> no way to pass on the emotional repulsion to slavery
> to one's children who never experienced slavery.
> Commanding the Jews to send away slaves while they
> were still slaves in Egypt is a way to guarantee that
> the emotions and contempt that the Jews had for
> slavery would be engraved in the conscience all
> future generations, regardless of how emotionally,
> economically, and socially detached they were from
> the generation in Egypt.
> 
> I think that this insight is relevant to us as we
> begin a new year and a new semester.  We are all
> familiar with the phenomenon making of New Year's
> resolutions and the seemingly equally widespread
> phenomenon of not living up to those resolutions.
> Similarly, we have all had emotional experiences that
> have inspired us to make changes in our lives, only
> to find that the changes never happen.  The lesson to
> be learned from Rabbi Samuel the son of Rav Isaac is
> that it is not enough to rely on our emotions to make
> changes in our lives.  We need to find ways to
> concretize those feelings so when the emotions pass
> the impact they had on us will last.
> 
> -----------------------------------
> This bit of Jewish learning has been submitted by
> Elliot Kaplowitz, Iyyun fellow at Hillel's
> Schusterman International Center.
> -----------------------------------
> The Soref Initiative welcomes experimental forms of
> Jewish learning submitted by students, faculty
> advisors, professionals, and community members.  If
> you are interested in making a submission or would
> like help creating a Jewish learning program like
> this one, please contact Abby at
> akornfeld at hillel.org.
> 
> ====================================
> 15.  SUBMISSION AND SUBSCRIPTION:
> ====================================
> Brief submissions (100 words or less) are being
> accepted now for upcoming issues of the Soref
> Initiative Monthly.  Please include your contact
> name, phone number, and e-mail address with each
> submission.  Send all submissions to
> akornfeld at hillel.org.
> 
> TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE: Please send an e-mail to
> akornfeld at hillel.org with your full name, e-mail
> address, and either "SUB SIU" or "UNSUB SIU" in the
> body of the message.
> 
> **************************************************
> The Soref Initiative Monthly is published by Hillel:
> The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, 800 Eighth
> Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036-3279 as a courtesy
> to the Hillel community.  Information regarding non-
> Hillel programs, activities, or resources should not
> be construed as a Hillel endorsement of philosophy or
> content.  Hillel reserves the right to edit all
> submissions to the Soref Initiative Monthly.
> 
> Please visit our Website, http://www.hillel.org, for
> more information on Hillel and the Soref Initiative.
> 
> Edgar M. Bronfman, Chair, International Board of
> Governors
> Lynn Schusterman, Co-Chair, International Board of
> Governors
> Michael Steinhardt, Co-Chair, International Board of
> Governors
> Neil Moss, Chair, The Board of Directors
> Richard M. Joel, President and International Director
> Shawn Laing, Director, Soref Initiative for Emerging
> Campuses
> Abby Kornfeld, Samuel and Helene Soref Fellow
> 


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