Once Pesach was over there were only a few weeks of classes left.  Most students became very busy making sure that their academic requirements were fulfilled and our programming became much more targeted.  There were still a number of significant programs and students also commemorated Yom Hashoa, Yom Hazikaron, and celebrated Yom Haatzmaut.

• The Jewish Law Student Associations (JLSA) of CWRU and CSU combined for a Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser in "Sing for the Cure"
• An early Shavuot party with cheesecake and musical bands to end the semester at CWRU
• Discussions of Iran and Israel at CWRU and CSU
• Study Breaks at Hillel and around campus
• End of semester barbecue at Oberlin
• Events for graduating students including a barbecue at CWRU and an open house at Oberlin.       
  

One of the important roles Hillel has on campus is to promote Judaism and Jewish values not only for Jewish students, but to help the entire campus community better understand Jewish life.  This includes the tragedy of the Holocaust and the importance of the State of Israel.  Programs on these events included:

• Holocaust survivor Max Edelman spoke at CWRU    
  
• Author Amy Schwartz spoke at Oberlin about her father
• Students at Oberlin read poetry and told stories
• Israel's Memorial Day was observed at Cleveland Hillel      
  
• IsraelFest was held at CWRU as on outdoor picnic featuring Israeli food and musical bands
• A barbecue celebrating Israel was held at Oberlin featuring local bands
• A Jewish Muslim dinner at the Oberlin food coop discussed coexistence
• Yom Haatzmaut was celebrated with Israeli food and trivia at CSU
• Yom Haatzmaut was celebrated at Oberlin with Israeli dancing and birthday cake

The 62nd annual meeting was held at the end of April at Cleveland Hillel.  Highlights of the evening included musical pieces by students from Cleveland Institute of Music and Oberlin College, students from Tri-C and CSU talked about their experiences rebuilding New Orleans during winter break, and law students discussed what they learned about social justice issues during a winter break trip to Israel.  The meeting also honored outgoing CSU President Michael Schwartz, Cleveland Hillel outgoing President Scott Siegel, and thanked retiring board members.  Harvey Siegel was elected as the incoming president of Cleveland Hillel.  A full list of board members, officers, and retiring board members can be viewed here.  Pictures from the event can be viewed here.

 
A group of 19 students from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and John Carroll University returned from a Hillel birthright trip earlier this week.  They had a phenomenal experience enhanced by Ricky Marcus of our staff.  While Oberlin Hillel sends a group every other winter this is the first group that Cleveland Metro has sent in many years.  The hope is to make this an annual or semi annual event and possibly make it into a Cleveland community trip so Cleveland based undergraduate students can join the trip no matter where they attend school.




 








Highlights of the trip included walking up Masada, being in Israel for two Shabbatot, visiting Independence Hall in Tel-Aviv, spending time with Israeli peers (soldiers doing their mandatory service), touring the Galilee and Golan, and experiencing Jerusalem including being there for Jerusalem Day Festivities.  On the second Shabbat those in the group who wanted received Hebrew names at a special ceremony Friday night and one of the students celebrated her Bat Mitzvah Shabbat afternoon.  Pictures and more from the trip can be viewed here