Falafel Fiesta, Gaming Night and much more

Hi,
So school has started. It’s back to classes, labs, homework, papers. But of course, you’ve got to make time for you as well. Yes, you as in partying, hanging out, having fun. But also you as in who you really are. You as in your soul. You as in your Jewishness.
We’d love to see you at one of the following events, at a Shabbat dinner or a discussion. And we’d love to hear your ideas for continuing to make Jewish life at USC as vibrant and fulfilling as it possibly can be.

So whether you make it to the Falafel Fiesta tomorrow night or just stop by to say Hi at the Involvement Fair on Wednesday, we’re looking forward to seeing you.

Check out the full calendar for the semester and much more at http://www.chabadusc.com/.

Do you need a Mezuzah for your room? Get one free (w. deposit) at www.chabadusc.com/mezuza

Got a comment, question, or argument about something in one of our emails? Please share your thoughts by emailing us or by commenting at the blog, jewsc.blogspot.com


Dov and Runya


1) Falafel Fiesta – Israel Night
2) “The Inside Scoop” – Involvement Fair on Trousdale
3) Open Board Meeting - Leadership Opportunities
4) Pizza and Parsha
5) Gaming Night at Arena Lounge
6) Friday Night Live – Shabbat @ Chabad
7) Sinai Scholars Society
8) Work Study Positions
9) Big Bear Getaway (Labor Day Weekend)
10) Save the Date – Torah Dedication Celebration
11) Thought for the Week


1) Falafel Fiesta – Israel Night
Care about Israel? Find out what you can do to help and how you can get there. Join us for a special evening of free Falafel and Schwarma, information on Birthright free trips to Israel and other Israel opportunities, and presentations by SC Students for Israel and AIPAC representatives about Israel advocacy opportunities and programming.

It’s all happening at the Chabad House tomorrow night – Tuesday, August 22, 6:30 pm.

2) “The Inside Scoop” – Involvement Fair on Trousdale
Make sure to stop by our table at the Involvement Fair on Trousdale for some great Kosher ice cream and information on everything you need to know. Special treat: coupon for a free Shabbat dinner for you and a friend. (Of course, we don’t charge anyway. But how can you resist a free coupon? J)Wednesday, August 23. 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

3) Open Board Meeting and Leadership Opportunities
Do you have good ideas about events you’d like to see? Is there a particular area of activities you’d like to see strengthened? Do you feel that you are leadership material?If you answered yes to any of the above, you belong on our student board.But don’t take our word for it. Check it out before you join.Whether you plan to commit long-term, just have some ideas to share, or want to find out how to volunteer for a specific event, please join our Student Board in an Open Board Meeting on Wednesday, August 23, from 4:15 – 5:30 pm.Email Michal at michalco@usc.edu or Chava at frankiel@usc.edu for more details.

4) Pizza and Parsha
Always one of our most popular classes. Right on Trousdale behind the Chabad table, join us for insightful discussions and delicious Kosher pizza. Explore the relevance of the weekly Torah portion to modern-day life while enjoying a free lunch. Every Thursday, 12:15 – 2:00 pm.

5) Gaming Night at Arena Lounge
Check out a whole new gaming experience in West LA's newest video lounge. Info at http://www.chabadusc.com/www.arenalounge.com. Free for incoming freshmen or transfer students. Just $5- covers the entire evening for everybody else. X-box, PS2, and Game Cube on super big screens! Linked tournaments in Halo 2, Call of Duty, and much more, with great prizes!Thursday, August 24. Carpool from Chabad House at 6:30 pm.
RSVP Chabad@usc.edu

6) Friday Night Live – Shabbat @ Chabad
As it does every week, Shabbat happens this Friday night at Chabad. Feel right at home at our family-style Shabbat dinner. Find out why so many students have made Shabbat at Chabad the highlight of their week. Last week we started the year off in style with almost 100 students enjoying the unbeatable Shabbat experience far past midnight. This week, make sure you—and your friends—are among the lucky ones.Friday, August 25Candle Lighting and Services: 7:00 pm.Dinner: 8:00 pm.Saturday, August 27
Morning Learning: 9:30 amServices: 10:15 am.Lunch: 12:45 pm.

7) Sinai Scholars Society
We are very proud to be one of the pilot campuses nationwide hosting the Sinai Scholars Society. This semester-long series of 8 classes tackles the Ten Commandments in depth, providing a fascinating look at the laws that form the basis of almost every legal system and culture, and contain the core building-blocks of Judaism. Qualified applicants who successfully complete program requirements will receive a stipend from the Rohr National Foundation (up to $500-). Very limited spots available. Wednesday nights, 7:30 – 9:30 pm. Full details at http://www.sinaischolars.com/. Inquire by contacting Julie at lindeen@usc.edu or Danya at dburakof@usc.edu

8) Work Study Positions
Don’t miss your chance for a dream job – working at the heart of USC Jewish life with a position at Chabad. If you are work-study eligible, capable, and friendly, please inquire about one of our open positions. Special need: Qualified website maintenance and design. Chabad@usc.edu

9) Big Bear Getaway – Labor Day Weekend
Our fourth annual Labor Day weekend Big Bear Getaway. Boating, biking, alpine sliding, hiking, bbq, and much more in a fun-filled and adventure-packed two days. Sunday, Sept. 3 - Monday, Sept. 4. Just $28-!! Incoming Freshmen, just $22-!! Reserve your spot now by emailing runya@usc.edu

10) Save the Date – Torah Dedication Celebration and Processional
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006
Join the USC Jewish community for this historic event as a qualified scribe fills in the last letters of this painstakingly restored Torah scroll on USC’s campus, followed by a processional with music and dancing from the center of campus to the Torah’s new home in the Chabad House.
Completion Ceremony: 12:00pm • Processional from Tommy Trojan: 1:00pm
Dancing and catered lunch follow at the Chabad @ USC Jewish Student Center.
Invite your family, friends, and professors!
More information to follow…

11) Thought for the Week
This Thursday and Friday mark Rosh Chodesh -- the beginning of a new Jewish month. Not just any month; the month of Elul.

Elul is very much characterized by, not so much anything that takes place within it, but rather what it acts as preparation for. It is completely overshadowed by the coming High Holy Days, by the solemnity and seriousness of the coming Days of Judgement and Days of Forgiveness. It is a month of Teshuvah, of return to the ideals and standards we may have drifted away from.

"Starting from Rosh Chodesh Elul," writes Rabbi Joseph Schneersohn in his memoirs, "a palatable change came over the streets of Lubavitch. A wind of seriousness began to blow, a wind of Elul..."

Consider a basic business model. Throughout most of the week, month, or even year, one has to focus on the business of doing business, on achieving whatever the goals of that particular enterprise are. But once in a while, every business owner must stop and take inventory. Without a thorough accounting—even, sometimes, an audit—there is no way of being certain where things stand. Have things been profitable, or are the earnings going to need to be restated, as another in a long line of financial scandals?

That is the character of the month of Elul. It is a month of accounting, a month of inventory. A chance for every person – each according to their own individual situation – to stop and take stock of what has been accomplished over the preceding months. What qualities were worthwhile, and should be continued and built upon. And in which areas has he or she failed and not lived up to the fullest potential; character traits and behavior patterns that require a complete overhaul.

In addition to that somewhat somber ideal, however, the Jewish mystics regarded Elul as a month of opportunity.All year long, the king resides in his palace. It is not easy to get to see him. Only someone who has been granted an audience, only someone with the proper credentials, is allowed into the palace. At every doorway there are guards, examining those who wish to pass through, determining their worthiness. Even after being found deserving of entry, the supplicant approaches the king as he sits in his royal chamber, awesome and unapproachable in his overpowering glory.

Once a year, though, the king leaves behind the majesty of his palace, and the glory of his capital city. He walks out into the fields, amongst the common people. There he is accessible. Anyone who but desires can approach the king. The king receives each person graciously, with a smile, and grants to each one their request.
In fact, one who takes advantage of the opportunity to approach the king in the field, will also find it much easier to request and gain an audience with His Majesty after his return to the royal chambers, too.

The king is of course G-d. Normally, there are pathways through which to approach Him--prayers and good deeds through which to be worthy of His attention. But for this a person must be deserving, truly deserving, of such Divine favor.
During the month of Elul, on the other hand, the King is in the field. G-d has made Himself accessible to us, easy to reach through repentance and good deeds. Even then, we must choose to approach Him; we must take the step of going out of our way to get in touch. But when we do so, there are no checks and balances. We are assured good grace; we are assured reception and forgiveness.
And when we take advantage of the days of Elul properly, during the following Days of Awe--Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur--when the King sits in judgment in all His glory and majesty, we can still have faith in G-d's kindness and forgiveness.

Every day presents its own special opportunities. May we all utilize properly the potential of every moment, using this time of Elul to connect with and become more aware of our spiritual selves. And may we and the entire world around us be inscribed and sealed for a good, sweet, and peaceful year!
Shabbat Shalom!