Jews of USC

Timely thoughts, meaningful matters, and random ramblings from a Chabad campus Shliach.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Chanukah, Jazz and Ribs Chanukah Festival, and Winter Break Ski Getaway

Hi,

As you head off to wherever you may be going for Winter Break, please take with you our wishes for a very Happy Chanukah. Don’t forget to light the Chanukah candles each night, starting tomorrow afternoon (before Shabbat). There’s also a huge Menorah Lighting and Chanukah festival at City Walk this Sunday – don’t miss it.
Check www.virtualchanukah.com for full info on Chanukah, how-to light the Menorah, Chanukah celebrations wherever you’ll be, stories and insights, and much more.

Staying in LA for Winter Break? Make sure to check out info below and at www.winterbreak.info on our amazing Ski Trip/Getaway. Time is running out!

And of course, current undergrad or alumnus, family or friend, please come join us this Saturday night for an exciting Jazz and Ribs Chanukah Festival. Details below.

1) Chanukah Shabbat
2) Free Menorah Giveaway
3) Jazz and Ribs Chanukah Festival
4) Winter Break Ski and Learn – Only a few spaces left
5) Work Study Positions Open
6) Thought for the Week


1) Chanukah Shabbat
Still around? Join us for a quiet Shabbat at the Chabad House, celebrating the start of Chanukah!
Please let us know if you’re planning to join us. And note the earlier schedule…

Friday, Dec. 15
Menorah Lighting 4:15 pm Check www.virtualchanukah.com for a how-to
Candle Lighting 4:27 pm
Services 4:30 pm
Dinner 5:30 pm

Saturday, Dec. 10
Services 10:00 am
Lunch 12:30 pm
Shabbat ends 5:26 pm
Menorah lighting after Havdalah

Please come in to say goodbye before you head out for winter break.

2) Free Menorah Give-away

Need a Menorah? Chanukah’s tomorrow night. And we’ve got a Menorah for you.

Just call Rabbi Dov at 213-748-5884 and arrange a time to meet pick one up!


3) Jazz and Ribs Chanukah Festival

Celebrate Chanukah in style! Join alumni, young professionals, and graduate students for a night of networking, socializing, Jazz and, of course, great food. BBQ Ribs, Latkes, doughnuts, and much more. Giant Menorah lighting…
Open Bar for 21 and over: ID required.

$18.00 Cover charge
$12.00 for current undergraduates

Saturday, Dec. 16. 8:00 pm
At Chabad House. RSVP required, chabad@usc.edu



4) Winter Break Ski and Learn – Only a few spaces left


Enjoy the Winter Break Experience of a Lifetime! The Winter Break Ski and Learn Experience is an opportunity for Jewish students to enjoy an amazing week of skiing/snowboarding and outdoor fun, coupled with an engaging Jewish learning experience.

The Winter Break Ski and Learn Experience will run in two shifts:

• Men - Thursday, December 21- Wednesday, December 27, 2006.
• Women - Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006 - Monday, January 1, 2007

The cost to you will be an incredible $50- only, covering everything except for transportation and ski package. (Our group rate for skiing will translate into approximately $160- for three days of skiing with equipment rentals. Students will have the option to choose whether to ski each day or not.)

It will be held at Chabad of California’s beautiful Kiryas Schneerson Lodge at the Panikoff Center for Goodness and Kindness in Running Springs, CA. The Lodge is 6,353 feet above sea level in the beautiful mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. The property has beautiful cabins, lodges with gorgeous fireplaces, and magnificent grounds. Dozens of ski slopes are within fifteen minutes of the Lodge.

For more information and to register please visit www.winterbreak.info .


5) Work Study
Looking for a great job next semester? We’re your place. Contact Runya at runya@usc.edu


6) Thought for the Week
Chanukah Thoughts
A little band of Hasmoneans

A contemporary application of Chanukah's lessons

The Chanukah Lights which are kindled in the darkness of night recall to our minds memories of the past: the war that the Hasmoneans waged against huge Syrian armies, their victory, the dedication of the Temple, the rekindling of the Menorah, the small quantity of oil that lasted for many days, and so on.

Let's picture ourselves members of the little band of Hasmoneans in those days. We are under the domination of a powerful Syrian king; many of our brethren have left us and accepted the idolatry and way of life of the enemy. But our leaders, the Hasmoneans, do not commence action by comparing numbers and weapons, and weighing our chances of victory. The Holy Temple has been invaded by a cruel enemy. The Torah and our faith are in grave danger. The enemy has trampled upon everything holy to us and is trying to force us to accept his way of life which is that of idol worship, injustice, and similar traits altogether foreign to us. There is but one thing for us to do-to adhere all the more closely to our religion and its precepts, and to fight against the enemy even if we have to die in this fight.

And wonder of wonder! The huge Syrian armies are beaten, the vast Syrian Empire is defeated, our victory is complete.

This chapter of our history has repeated itself frequently. We, as Jews, have always been outnumbered; many tyrants attempted to destroy us because of our faith. Sometimes they aimed their poisoned arrows at our bodies, sometimes at our souls, and, sad to say, many of our brethren have for one reason or another turned away from G-d and His Torah and tried to make life easier by accepting the rule of the conqueror.

In such times of distress we must always be like that faithful band of Hasmoneans, and remember that there is always a drop of ‘pure olive oil’ hidden deep in the heart of every Jew, which, if kindled, bursts into a big flame. This drop of ‘pure olive oil’ is the ‘Perpetual Light’ that must and will pierce the darkness of our present night, until everyone of us will behold the fulfillment of the prophet's promise for our ultimate redemption and triumph. And as in the days of the Hasmoneans ‘the wicked will once again be conquered by the righteous, and the arrogant by those who follow G-d's laws, and our people Israel will have a great salvation.’

A Chanukah Message from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory


Happy Chanukah and Shabbat Shalom,
Dov

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