Beach Hillel » Programs

Monster Menorah 2012

Irene — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:42:09 +0000

Beach Hillel wants to thank everyone who participated in Monster Menorah 2012. The menorahs that were submitted were creative, original, and told their own stories. The votes have been counted and after a close competition we have a winner. Congratulations to Triston Nguy on winning the $200 grand prize for his “Tusks of Men, Trunks of Orah” menorah . Happy Chanukkah!

Second Annual “Sunday Sundaes & Discussion”

Rabbi Drew — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:29:36 +0000

Beach Hillel Participates in Third Annual Global Day of Jewish Learning

Rabbi Drew Kaplan leading a discussion on blessings for seeing different objects/people alongside ice cream

On Sunday 18 November, Long Beach Hillel once again participated in the third annual Global Day of Jewish Learning for the third straight year. Just as with last year’s event, Long Beach Hillel provided ice creams and toppings for students to make sundaes to sweeten the learning discussion.

“Our community takes part in Rabbi Steinsaltz’s Global Day of Jewish Learning because we understand the importance of Jewish unity,” said Rabbi Drew Kaplan. “Long Beach Hillel delved into the meaning and importance of this year’s theme of blessings and gratitude and joined with Jewish communities worldwide in support of Rabbi Steinsaltz’s mission to provide access to our foundational texts.”

Long Beach Hillel joined over 300 different Jewish communities in the world gathered together to study blessings on the same day

This year’s event focused on the theme of blessings and gratitude. The theme coincided with the start of the “Daf Yomi” (Page-A-Day) seven year cycle of studying the entire Talmud, which begins with the first volume “Berakhot” (Blessings). Rabbi Drew Kaplan, the rabbi for Long Beach Hillel led a discussion on blessings over seeing peculiar things/people, which made for some lively discussion.

“I learned a plethora of inquisitive and interesting Jewish understandings and many aspects of Jewish life,” said Elliott Waxer, a CSULB graduate student. “I definitely want to know more about the beautiful people blessing. It was cool.”

“It was very interesting to learn that there are so many different types of blessings and to hear people’s thoughts about how these blessings are used,” said David Rosen, a CSUF student, adding “And the ice creams added flavor.”

Ice creams and toppings for the sundaes

Individuals in more than 300 communities in over 40 countries across 6 continents took part in a day of celebration and learning. Events took place in Communities throughout the United States from New York to California, Texas to Florida and across the globe from South America to Europe, Canada to Israel as well as in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Former Soviet Union.

Organizing partners of the Global Day of Jewish Learning were Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA), Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, and the Shefa Institute in Israel.

Tikkun Olam Event Begins Sunday!

Rabbi Drew — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:43:05 +0000

We will be helping out at the Colorado Lagoon

Interested in working to help fix the world? Beach Hillel and Southern California Jewish Student Services are teaming up to provide the opportunity for young adults in Southern California to engage both physically and mentally in seeking to improving our world. Taking place this Sunday through Tuesday, the second annual Tikkun Olam Institute will feature activities, speakers, and opportunities to consider fixing the world from Jewish lenses. The event will be taking place both in Long Beach and in Los Angeles.
Here is the schedule (with Facebook event page links):

Sunday: 6:00pm Dinner in Los Angeles at Bibi’s Bakery (meet up at Alpert JCC for carpool at 5:00pm)
Monday: 12:30pm Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Abba Perlmuter at the Alpert JCC
3:00pm Habitat Restoration at the Colorado Lagoon
8:00pm Beer, Bible & Baked Goods with Rabbi Drew
Tuesday: 11:30am Brunch with bagels & cream cheese at the Alpert Jewish Community Center with Rabbi Drew
1:00pm Experience a Just Garden
4:00pm Ice Cream Conclusion at Ben & Jerry’s

There is no cost to attend and we look forward to seeing you and your friends!
The 2012 Tikkun Olam Institute is being sponsored by Beach Hillel through the support from the Eva Cooper Hillel Program Endowment Fund. To read about last year’s Tikkun Olam Institute, click here.

Monthly Jewish Discussions with Rabbi Drew

Rabbi Drew — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:13:31 +0000

Students enjoying a Torah on Tap discussion with Rabbi Drew at CSULB

Starting today, Beach Hillel will be holding monthly discussions on Jewish topics with Rabbi Drew. Each discussion will be a differently-styled program and in a different location in order to infuse some variety.
This evening’s Torah on Tap will feature a discussion on trees and the environment, as it will be Tu b’Shevat, the Jewish Tree New Year at The Nugget on-campus at CSULB.
On March 8th, a Java & Jews discussion about Purim will be taking place at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at CSULB.
On April 10th, Rabbi Drew will be discussing Passover lunch & learn with matzah pizzas being served at the Multi-cultural center at CSULB.
The last session will be taking place on May 2nd off-campus, which will be an Ask the Rabbi session with ice cream.

Jewlicious Festival 7.0

Rabbi Drew — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:00:19 +0000

This past weekend, Jewlicious Festival 7.0 was once again held in Long Beach at the Alpert Jewish Community Center from 25-27 February with hundreds of Jewish students and other young people in attendance. Along with SoCalJSS, JConnectLA, and Jewlicious, Beach Hillel was involved in producing the festival as it has since the festival’s inception; the major supporters of which were Deanna & Allen Alevy, Barbara & Ray Alpert, The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, Liz & Jim Breslauer, and Gila & Adam Milstein.
The festival had music going on the acoustic stage on Friday and Sunday afternoons as well as a concert Saturday night. There were various activities in which to partake on Friday afternoon and on Sunday. There was a vendors fair on Sunday, mostly with different organizations representing and giving opportunities for young folks to get involved. There were huge shabbat meals, Sunday poolside BBQ, and more food. There were lots of sessions Friday evening & night, Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening and on Sunday morning, including three sessions led by our very own Rabbi Drew.

Scholarship Opportunities for Beach Hillel Students!

eden — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:58:47 +0000

Two amazing scholarship opportunities are now available for Beach Hillel students:

*Jewish Studies Program Scholarships – due March 25.
Student Awards in Jewish Studies – Application 2010

*National Council of Jewish Women – Long Beach Chapter Scholarships – due May 15.
NCJW scholarship application 2010

Good luck to all of our students!

Fourth Annual Jewlicious Festival

Rabbi Yonah — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:08:40 +0000

“A mind-expanding Jewish culture fun fest!” — Tahli Miller, wife of Matisyahu and JF presenter

For Jewish Students & Young Professionals
Feb. 29-March 2, 2008 | Long Beach, CA

Jewlicious Festival is a gathering of the Tribe, a celebration of Jewnity, an innovative conference, an inspiring Shabbat experience, an event unlike any other weekend in Jewish history.

Tickets are limited, so don’t delay!

Tickets on sale now are early discount ticket prices that will expire on or around Jan. 10 and all include a free t-shirt.

$36 – Student Ticket – early discount, includes free t-shirt

$60 – General Ticket – early discount, includes free t-shirt

$180 – Sponsor Ticket – help Jewlicious Festival with sponsor level ticket, includes 2 t-shirts and extra concert tickets.

A luncheon for Students and Holocaust Survivors

admin — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 22:19:07 +0000

“Café Europa”

A luncheon for Students and Holocaust Survivors

Friday, November 30, 2007
From 11:45 to 1:30
in the Karl Anatol Center, CSULB

To attend the event or for more information, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Blutinger: By phone: (562) 985-2196
By e-mail: jbluting@csulb.edu

Sponsored by the CSULB Jewish Studies Program and the Center for Community Engagement

Monster Menorah IV

Rabbi Yonah — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:17:54 +0000

Chanukah’s most recognized symbol is getting an extreme makeover again!

Just in time for 2007 Chanukah season, Beach Hillel unleashes Monster Menorah III, hoping to find this year’s most outrageous and creative college-student made menorah. Grand prize is $250, which ain’t too shabby either.

The Menorah is a nine-branched candelabra lit during the eight days of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. The Menorah celebrates the light of religious freedom, which pierced the darkness of tyranny and persecution.

Monster Menorah is a student creativity competition open to all students regardless of race, color, faith, sexual orientation, or nationality, sponsored by Beach Hillel. Voting is open to all students at the Beach Hillel Tent on December 5, 2007.

HOW DO I QUALIFY?
To qualify for the competition, menorahs must be delivered to the Beach Hillel table in front of the California State University Long Beach Bookstore by 10am, December 5, 2007. In addition, all entries must follow the competition guidelines below and be accompanied by a registration form on day of competition. Any entry that is deemed offensive by the organizers will be disqualified.

High Holidays with Beach Hillel

Rabbi Yonah — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:33:24 +0000

YOM KIPPUR WILL BE AT SEAPORT MARINA HOTEL IN LONG BEACH
Corner of 2nd Street and PCH

It’s not the services you remember as a kid! Rabbi Yonah’s Yom Kippur services are interactive in Hebrew AND in English – with meaning, melody, & humor!

All Yom Kippur events will be held at SEAPORT MARINA in LONG BEACH

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st
5:00pm – Pre-Fast meal

6:30-8:30pm – Kol Nidre Services
We will be ending the evening with a session of “Stump the Rabbi” – Start thinking of questions!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd
11:30am – 2:00pm – Services
2:00-5:00pm – Rest w/the rest of us! Bring a book and chill or take a walk to the marina.
5:30pm – Yom Kippur Stories
6:30 – 8:00pm – Neilah Services
8:00pm – Break the Fast

Below is the schedule from Rosh Hashanah

ROSH HASHANAH IN LONG BEACH
Beach Hillel invites you to celebrate the New Year in style. Hear the Shofar and eat apples and honey with your friends. Services led by Rabbi Yonah and a banquet you can’t miss.

All events take place at TEMPLE BETH SHALOM in the Library/Beit Midrash and Classrooms
3635 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807 Unless indicated.See below for more details

Sept. 12, 6:30pm Erev Rosh Hashanah
Services and Meal under the stars!

Sept. 13, 11:30am-1pm Services and lunch

Sept. 13, 5pm Torah Study

Sept. 13, 6:30pm, Rosh Hashana Services & Dinner

Sept. 14, 11:30 am-1pm Rosh Hashana Services & Lunch
Will be at the Booksteins

Sept. 14, 6:30pm Shabbat Services followed by Dinner
Services at TBS and Dinner at the Booksteins

Parking is only available for Hillel at the Mormon Church at Elm and 37th street.

Entrance to Hillel Services is from Elm Street – side Gate left of the Main Temple Entrance.

Free for students! $36+ Per person suggested donation for alumni for both days and meals.

We will performing Tashlich on Sept. 20 Tashlich at Seal Beach Pier (6pm)

Sept. 30 ~ Sukkah Hop