April 13, 2009
19 Nisan 5769
Dear Friends,
I hope that the Passover Holiday has so far been a good one for you and your family. On the campuses we serve it has been a very busy time and I will report on this later in the report.
I do want to share with you a thought regarding the important role that Pesach has in our tradition. The sedar/s provides us with the opportunity to pass on the history of our People from one generation to the next. This unique often multi generational gathering engages us as it has our people for millennia.
While we often joke about getting through the story so we can eat, the story is captivating. Whether it is the excitement of the children who are full partners by asking the "Ma Nishtana", looking for the afikoman, and seeing all the unusual foods on the table, the linguistic approach of why there are so many twos and fours in the story and ceremony, or the opportunity to discuss issues that the exodus story presents us including the role Gd plays in history, whether the sedar experience is uniquely Jewish and/or universally human, anti-Semitism and prejudice, the responsibility that a free people have, and assimilation and identity. All of these possibilities rolled into one evening, this is Pesach.
Questioning plays a crucial role in all of this. For many this is much more than just learning. As Nobel laureate Isidor Rabi reports about his mother, instead of asking him what he learned today, she would ask him, "did you ask a good question today?" The sedar legitimizes for us that questioning is core to our existence as Jews. It is the way we become more informed and also enables us to transfer tradition to the next generation.
We also know that even though the Passover sedar celebrates the redemption of our people in ancient Egypt and their becoming a free nation, Jewish history has had its share of tragedies. Just as it is our duty to celebrate Pesach we also must remember those events to gain a full appreciation of Jewish history and survival.
Transferring these traditions is one of the main challenges we have in Hillel. We are confident that by enabling students to become knowledgeable Jews and creating opportunities for them to take charge of their Jewish journey (through events like student led and participatory sedars) we are creating a stronger Jewish future.
Gd willing this Passover Holiday will bring the redemptioneach of usis seeking. At the least the reenacting of the story of our ancestors becoming a free people will help us become better people.
As always if you have any comments, ideas, or questions please be in
touch with me at gcoleman@clevelandhillel.org or 216-231-0040.
With Blessings,
Gary Coleman |
- Remembering the Holocaust in commemoration of Yom Hashoa
- IsraelFest to Celebrate Israel's 61st birthday
- Yom Hazikaron ceremony
- Special celebrations for graduating students
- Summer Internship Program If you want to place or sponsor an intern please contact Ilana Shafran Mandel at ishafran@clevelandhillel.org
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Annual Meeting- Wednesday, April 22nd
Our 62nd annual meeting will be occurring on Wednesday April 22 at 7:30 PM at Cleveland Hillel. If you are interested in attending please e-mail info@clevelandhillel.org or call 216-231-0040. More information on the meeting can be seen here and a list of board members, officers, and retiring board members can be viewed here. |
Fundraising
A number of our recent Shabbat dinners and the Passover seders have been partially or completely sponsored by a number of different groups. These sponsorships can be viewed on the calendar on our web site at www.clevelandhillel.org We will be placing an ad in the CJN at the end of the academic year to thank everyone. If you are interested in the possibility of sponsoring a Shabbat dinner or other sponsorship opportunities please contact Harriet Mann at hmann@clevelandhillel.org
As all agencies and organizations we are affected by the downturn in the economy, so your generosity is especially appreciated. It will enable us to continue to bring quality programs to the students at the universities we serve and assure a brighter Jewish future. |
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Program Highlights:
Since my last report in mid March these are some of the things we have been doing. As a note, Oberlin College was on spring break at the end of March so much of the pre Passover activity is Cleveland focused:
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Passover Preparations and the Seders
Both in Cleveland and Oberlin the weeks leading up to the Seders were filled with preparation, learning about the Holiday, getting the kitchens ready, preparing the food, etc. When it came to the actual Seders students had the following options:
- Participate in a staff/student led seders both in Cleveland and Oberlin
- Organize a smaller peer seder with the help of Hillel
- Ask for home hospitality and attend a sedar in the community
In addition to these opportunities and having the Friday night Shabbat meal at Hillel, both the Hillel at CWRU and Oberlin organized programs Wednesday morning April 8 to recite the once in 28 year blessing, Birchat Hachama. These gatherings were preceded in the previous week with learning programs at CSU, CWRU and Oberlin to understand more about the "Blessing on the Sun". For a fascinating sociological and informational perspective on this rare event, linked here is an article in the April 8 1897 edition of the New York Times that covered the occurrence 112 years ago. |
Israel On Campus
An article appeared in the March 13 edition of the Cleveland Jewish News questioning Cleveland Hillel's commitment to presenting Israel on campus. Over the following few weeks the CJN presented three responses, a commentary by me and two letters to the editor from students. They can be read here.
Gittel Chaiko: Standing Up without Shouting
Gilad Salomon: Betar has it Wrong
Gary Coleman: Beyond advocacy, Israel is wellspring of Jewish Identity
In addition to the newspaper articles the following Israel events have occurred on campus:
- Weekly Israel speakers lunch at Cleveland State
- Oberlin Professor Jonathan Lipow spoke about the possibilities for peace
- Israel culture night at Hillel featuring the foods and music of Ethiopian, Russian, and Yemenite traditions
- Screening the movie The Syrian Bride
- Interviews and follow up for birthright attendees and alumni
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Law Student and Alumni Event
This year we combined the networking event for law students from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and Cleveland State University Cleveland Marshall College of Law. Working with the Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA) from both schools and area lawyers this years program was titled "Creating Connections" as it focused on developing relations that can lead to mentoring opportunities. This is an area that students have informed us is important for them especially in today's economic climate. The highlight of the evening were the roundtable discussions between the lawyers and the law students.
If you are interested in being a mentor please fill out the mentorship application and return it to Allison Peterson at apeterson@clevelandhillel.org A full list of the sponsors who helped make the event possible can be seen here |
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Cultural, Educational, Religious, Social, and Volunteering Activities
- Three week Taste of Judaism class at Notre Dame College with Rabbi Matt Eisenberg
- CWRU Law Student Purim Party
- Muzuzah Making in CWRU dorms and CSU student union
- Student initiated Purim Carnival for senior residents of Montefiore Home and their children and grandchildren
- Jewish Student Group at CWRU annual Purim masquerade party (Since CWRU was on spring break during Purim, Purim parties occurred when the students returned from break)
- Rock, Paper Scissors Tournament at CWRU with the proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- Weekly Shabbat dinners at Cleveland Hillel and Oberlin and a monthly dinner in Cleveland for students living in the community
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Last Word and Request
As a follow up to what was just written, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Cleveland Hillel Foundation, the students, board, staff, stakeholders, and friends for your continued commitment and support. For more information on our Hillel check out our web site www.clevelandhillel.org
We ask that you consider making a contribution to Cleveland Hillel either by going on line HERE.
Or mailing us a check at:
CLEVELAND HILLEL FOUNDATION INC
11291 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland,OH 44106 |
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