Welcome - Hawaiian Luau, Shabbat, Israel Night and more

Welcome to USC, or welcome back, as the case may be. As in past years, now that school’s starting, we’re returning to the format of once a week emails to let you know what’s going on. (If you know anyone who would like to receive these emails, or if you need to update your contact info, please email me at Chabad@usc.edu.)

So you just started school. You’re away from home, maybe for the first time in your life. You’re walking around campus wide-eyed, almost overwhelmed by all the new things you can try.
Or you’re a returning super-senior. You’ve been there and done that. Nothing interesting, nothing new. The party scene is so over. Just gotta finish those last few courses for the double major.
Or anything in between.
It’s a new school year. We’re about to start a new Jewish year. Get involved!
Involved means anything. It can mean a Shabbat dinner with that incomparable Chabad flavor. It can mean the Big Bear Getaway, the Shofar factory, one of a host of exciting discussions and classes, Shabbat services, or so much more.
But whatever it is, it means you’re exploring. You’re asking questions; hopefully you’re even moving towards some answers. This is your thing – not your parents’, not your teachers’ – yours. That’s what new years are for.

We’d love to hear from you – What would you like to see happening? What are your interests? Just need some help adjusting, figuring out where things are at, or whatever? Speak up. Drop by the Chabad House for a visit. Stop by at the table on Trousdale (as soon as Rush is over J) and say Hi. That’s what we’re here for.

If you can, let us know what you’re planning to come to by emailing Chabad@usc.edu or at www.chabadusc.com
Also – while we’re still in the middle of upgrading our site (and if you’re Work Study eligible and capable – we want to talk to YOU) – you can check out information on upcoming events, see some of the beautiful fliers, or browse through our pictures from years past at our website www.jewsc.com

Here’s what’s happening in the next couple of days. We hope to see you sometime during the Welcome Weekend.

1) Hawaiian Luau
2) Welcome Shabbat
3) Falafel Fiesta – Israel Night
4) “The Inside Scoop”
5) Video Game Night
6) Pizza and Parsha
7) Morning Minyans
8) Sinai Scholars Society
9) Big Bear Getaway (Labor Day Weekend)
10) Free Mezuzah Rentals
11) Thought for the Week

All events at the Chabad Jewish Student Center at 2713 Severance St. (just steps off the "Row"), unless otherwise noted.
1) Hawaiian Luau - Enjoy a delicious BBQ with a Hawaiian luau theme, while finding out all you need to know about life – and Jewish life – on campus. A chance for incoming freshmen and transfer students to pick the brains of our returning students. Right on campus, on the grass across from Tommy Trojan.Thursday, August 17. 5:00 – 6:30 pm
2) Welcome Shabbat – THE weekly Jewish event on campus. Reconnect with old friends or make new ones as we gather for the first Shabbat celebration of the new school year. “Often imitated, never duplicates” unique Shabbat at Chabad atmosphere and all of the Shabbat favorites, including home-cooked Challah, chicken soup, sushi, and so much more. Find out why Shabbat @ Chabad is the most popular Jewish experience on campus!Friday, August 18. Meet and greet: 6:30 pm. Services: 7:00 pm. Dinner: 8:00 pmSaturday, August 20. Early-morning Discussion: 9:30 am. Morning Services: 10:15 am. Lunch: 12:45 pm. RSVP at www.chabadusc.com or Chabad@usc.edu Come and bring a friend!
3) Falafel Fiesta – Israel Night – Got Israel? Delicious falafel party, info on Birthright and other Israel experiences, and all you need to know about Israel advocacy and programming on campus. Presentations by SC Students for Israel, AIPAC, and more. Tuesday, August 22. 6:30 – 8:30 pm
4) “The Inside Scoop” – 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.
5) Video Game Night - Check out a whole new gaming experience in West LA's newest video lounge. Info at 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.
6) 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.
7) Morning Minyan – Start your day off on the right foot. Morning services at the Chabad House, Monday and Thursday, 7:00 am. Followed by breakfast & discussion.
8) 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 www.sinaischolars.com. Inquire at Chabad@usc.edu
9) Big Bear Getaway - 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) Free Mezuzah RentalsYou can rent your very own Mezuzah for your dorm room or apartment. For free.A deposit of $26- gets you a Mezuzah with full customer service. Return the Mezuzah at the end of the year and you receive your full deposit back. And a Mitzvah. Or keep it. www.chabadusc.com or Chabad@usc.edu to order.
11) Thought for the Week:
The Tests of Life

By Yossy Goldman
Reprinted from www.chabad.org


Will the real prophet please stand up? There are false prophets out there, always have been. Way back in the Bible (Deuteronomy 13), the Torah was already warning us that we would encounter individuals who looked like prophets. They might even seem to make miracles like prophets but, in truth, they are really false prophets.

Why then would G-d allow a false prophet to make a miracle or do wondrous things that are really impressive? The answer, says our Parshah, is that G-d is testing us. If we really and truly love G-d with all our heart and soul then we won't be impressed by any fancy wonders or miracles. The acid test will always be: does this would-be prophet encourage us to follow G-d's laws or to ignore them? And if this "prophet" is not faithful to the word of G-d then he is no prophet but an imposter and a false prophet.

If you thought that life's tests were over when you finished school, guess again. There are many tests in life and they can be much more difficult than chemistry or physics. And there isn't that much homework we can do to prepare for these kinds of tests either.

Poverty is a big test of faith. Even affluence can be a test that's tougher than we think. Failing health is no easy one, and tragedy is worse. Every individual faces his or her own unique tests and challenges. We might wish the other fellow's tests upon us but our tests are ours and ours alone to deal with. What tempts one person may not tempt the next. What is difficult for me might be simple for you and vice versa. If we remember that the challenge of the moment is, in fact, a test, we might be better able to handle it and pass the test.

But we don't always realize that this may just be our very own personal, spiritual challenge, perhaps even the most important one of our entire existence. We don't necessarily appreciate that our souls might have come down to this world for the express purpose of passing these tests.

So we rationalize.

If there is a G-d in the world where was He at Auschwitz?

If G-d didn't intend for me to take the money why did the boss leave the cash register open?

If this relationship is wrong why does it feel so right? This poor woman is locked in a loveless marriage. Isn't she entitled to a little happiness? Shouldn't I be there for her?

If G-d really wanted me to keep Shabbat why is my biggest turnover on Saturday?

If a yarmulke was meant for me to wear, why am I bald? I can't even find any hair for the darn clip!

But if we accept the concept of a test of faith then it becomes easier to deal with the challenges, as formidable as they may be.

The question remains: Why does G-d test us? Is it really--as our Parshah explains--"to know whether we do, in fact, love G-d with all our heart and soul"? Doesn't G-d know all that already? How will we enlighten Him one way or the other? Is there anything G-d does not know?

The answer, according to Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi in his classic collection of chassidic discourses, Likutei Torah, is that it is not for G-d to know but for us to know. Of course G-d knows. But He places tests and obstacles in our path so that when we overcome them we develop and bring to the fore the inner, latent love of G-d that was always there inside our hearts and souls.

When we pass life's tests, we discover that we do have that inner strength after all; that we really are believers who are profoundly connected to G-d and that our commitment is true and genuine. In passing life's tests we become more confident in our own moral strength and enriched and ennobled with a higher awareness of G-d. This is why we are stronger after conquering these hurdles than we were before we faced them.

We don't go looking for tests. Every morning in our prayers we ask G-d, "lead us not to temptation." But if it does come our way we must appreciate that it is critical to our success as moral human beings and as committed Jews that we face up to the challenge.

May we never be tested. But if we are, let us remember that it is a test. Please G-d, we will pass with flying colors.

Shabbat Shalom! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Dov and Runya Wagner