Hillel at Penn State University

Hillel News/Announcements

SPRING 2008

A MESSAGE FROM THE NEW DIRECTOR:

As the new Director of Jewish Student Life, I want to take a moment to introduce myself. I come to Penn State with Hillel experience at both Cornell University and Eastern Michigan University, and I am thrilled to be here.

I grew up in the Big Ten, with my dad being a professor at Michigan State. Iattended the University of Michigan (sorry!) where I met my wife Stephanie at Hillel, and we now have an adorable 9 month-old daughter, Ellie Pearl.

There are many ways to be Jewish today, and how you identify Jewishly is very much a personal choice. Penn State Hillel's goal is to offer every possibility imaginable for you to explore your Jewish identity-however you define it. To that end, we will provide social events, social justice opportunities, alternative spring break trips, religious programs, speakers, and free trips to Israel. And that is just the beginning. If we don't have something you want, tell us, and we will work together to make it possible.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to really get to know someone over email. Consider this letter a coupon for a free cup of coffee-just email me to set up a time.

As you already know, Penn State University is a special place. I am both excited and honored to be part of what will become one of the great Hillels in the country.

Best of luck with the start of the new semester. I hope we will be in touch soon.

Aaron Kaufman
adk12@psu.edu

SPRING 2008 ANNOUNCEMENTS

PSU Hillel raised $22,177.53 for the Kids!
Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard all year and donated so generously to make Thon 2008 a great success! Congratulations to our dancers, you are an inspiration to everyone. Thank you so much to everyone who helped us out or participated in any way.
Mindi Brown and Josh Block

Are you interested in leading a Passover Seder or reading from the Haggadah?
We're looking for people to help with the Blue & White Passover Seder! If you're interested, please contact Josh at jly5019@psu.edu.

Taglit-Birthright Israel Hillel 2008 Trip:
Want to explore Israel with Penn State students? Sign up for a free 10 day trip this spring at www.freeisraeltrip.org!

Registration is coming up on February 12th at 10:00am.

Questions please email Marissa mkg5004@psu.edu

"Blue & White Shabbat" Meeting:
Blue & White Shabbat is a new exciting, annual mega event with the aim of filling Alumni Hall with Jewish students eating a Friday night meal. If you would like to get involved in one of many planning committees, email Alex at aib115@psu.edu for more information. The next planning meeting will be in the 216 Boucke, Wednesday at 8pm.

Hillel Board Meetings!
Wanna see what goes on behind the scenes?! Have an opinion or a program idea you want heard?! All of our board meetings are now open to the public! Meetings are Tuesday, February 19th at 9pm in the Library, Pasquerilla.

Table in the Hub Every Tuesday
Come see our table in the Hub every Tuesday from 11am-2pm for more information or just to say hi.

Join Hillel's Cooking Team:
Come and get involved with Hillel's Shabbat meals! If you're looking to learn a little more about cooking or you're an old pro, everyone is welcome! I am looking to accumulate a list of willing and able kitchen assistants that I may contact for help. If you have free time in your Friday afternoon schedule and want to help cook Shabbat dinner please contact Hillel's New Food Coordinator, Annie Schneider (abs5033@psu.edu). Send me your contact information and I'll keep you updated on Shabbat meals. Thank you!

A Student Phone-A-Thon
Penn State Hillel is organizing a student phone-a-thon!
If you are interested in helping Hillel raise money and making a little cash for yourself, let us know!

The Details:

***When -- Monday- through Thursday from 6-9pm
***Where -- Hillel offices, 114-117 Pasquerilla

***What's in it for you -- $7/hour plus incentives to whoever raises the most money each day!!

For more information or to sign up, contact Aaron at adk12@psu.edu.

Penn State Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service:
Monday, January 21st, 9am-3pm, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
Sponsored by the MLK, Jr. Celebration Committee and the Center for Student Engagement
Contact: Megan DeLany, med250@psu.edu, Chris Lucas, cml5002@psu.edu

Maxine Fischer Scholarship:
The Women's Department of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, in conjunction with the Maxine Fischer Memorial Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, has established the Maxine Fischer Scholarship in order to help perpetuate the memory and values of the late Maxine Fischer, whose interest was in Jewish education for women. The scholarship award is $3,000.

A scholarship award will be made to a young woman who is presently at least a junior in college and who has a declared major of Jewish Studies and/or Women's Studies. She will be a full-time student, either undergraduate or graduate, attending a fully accredited college or university. The successful candidate will either be from the MetroWest community or will be studying in the area.

Applications for the scholarship must be postmarked or received via email by February 22nd, 2008. Applications are available on our Web site, www.ujcnj.org.

For further information about the scholarship, contact Rebecca Missel at (973) 929-3061 or rmissel@ujcnj.org.

Hillel's Alternative Spring Break:
Join 1600+ Hillel students that have helped rebuild Mississippi and Louisiana since 2005. These one-week trips focus on hands-on service, community interaction, and the exploration of social justice and Judaism.

For more information please contact: Aaron Kaufman at adk12@psu.edu

Green Ambassador at PSU:
Are you interested in being the JNF Project Green Ambassador at PSU and getting paid? If so, please contact Marissa at mkg5004@psu.edu.

JNF Alternative Spring Break:
Make your spring break meaningful with Jewish National Fund!
If you are a Jewish young adult between the ages of 18 and 30, you are eligible to spend your vacation doing community service in Israel. Alternative Spring Break is an incredible seven - eight day opportunity to volunteer and do something you would not do on an ordinary trip to Israel. This March, join JNF and over 300 other young adults in working in communities in the Negev and throughout the country, creating a better Israel. For more information, visit www.jnf.org/springbreak. Registration is open for the departure on the week of March 8th. If you want more information, please contact us at asb@jnf.org or 212-879-9305 x245. Hope to see you in Israel!