Thanks to everyone who came out to tie-dye t-shirts with us yesterday. It was a great event and wonderful to have over sixty students show up. Check out more pictures of happy people and pretty shirts here.

Students and staff gathered to take pictures of their first days of school and have some milk and cookies in the Commons Breezeway today.  We were particularly honored by the presence of Dr. Nancy Young, VP of Student Affiars, and Dr. Elliot Hirshman, Provost and VP of Academic Affiars.

For the third year in a row, UMBC Hillel welcomed returning students and new students together with fresh berries, whipped cream, and frisbee games on Erickson Field. Of course, those who didn’t feel like playing frisbee could lounge around on some beanbags and enjoy the weather, which has been–by most accounts–pretty incredible this week. More pictures of the evening are here.

BRING AN OLD FRIEND AND MAKE A NEW FRIENDS IN A WEEK OF NON STOP FUN!

Here is a list of the EVENTS going on Welcome week hosted by Hillel and JSU (Jewish Student Union):

Friday, August 28, 6:30 PM, Interfaith Center*: SHABBAT CELEBRATION. Services followed by free kosher dinner.

Saturday, August 29, 12 Noon, Interfaith Center*: BAGELS AND LOX.

Saturday, August 30, 8:55 PM, Interfaith Center*: HAVDALAH (end of Shabbat) and pancakes.

Sunday, August 30, 5–9 PM, Erickson Field: FRISBERRIES — get some fresh berries and whipped cream and toss around a frisbee as you connect and reconnect with first year students and returning students.

Monday, August 31, 11 AM–3 PM, Erickson Field: FIELD DAY—(for returning students) play some field games like capture the flag and kickball.

Tuesday, September 1, 9 AM–4 PM, Commons Breezeway: MY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL . Enjoy some milk & cookies and have a silly picture taken on your first day.

Tuesday, September 1, 9 PM, Interfaith Center: MOVIE NIGHT—bring some ice cream from the Commons and watch a movie with us.

Wednesday, September 2, 3–6 PM, Interfaith Center: CAFÉ HILLEL—have some coffee, tea, and cookies and TIE-DYE a t-shirt.

Thursday, September 3, 5–9 PM, Harbor Courtyard, HOOKAH NIGHT - Come and Enjoy an assortment of tea, pita, humus, and hookah.

Friday, September 4, 6 PM, Interfaith Center: SHABBAT CELEBRATION. Services at 6 followed by free dinner at 6:45. Come for either or both. Shabbat events continue on Saturday like last week—and next week . . . .

* The interfaith Center is located between Susquehanna and Chesapeake halls

UMBC Hillel is excited to partner with Amazing Israel for Taglit-Birthright Israel.  We are expecting to travel during the first week of January, 2010, as long as we have enough students registered.  Registration opens on September 9 and may not be open long, so get ready for September 9!  Email hillel@umbc.edu for more info.

Mazal Tov Class of 2009! Congratulations to all UMBC graduates! We wish you the best in your next journey. Please keep in touch! Have a great summer! We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2013 and returning students in the Fall.

How do the Jewish People celebrate Lag BaOmer?

Families go on picnics and outings.

Children go out to the fields with their teachers with bows and (rubber-tipped) arrows, and bats and balls.

Bonfires are lighted throughout Israel. The ones who started this tradition were the followers of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who lighted fires at Mt. Miron, where this Rabbi is buried, in order to lighten the day of his death. This custom spread out to other places too. A second reason for lighting fires is that it is believed that when the mutiny began, the word was spread by lighting fires at the tops of the mountains throughout Judea.

UMBC HILLEL – WE ARE HAVING BBQ, GAMES, MUSIC AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE ERICKSON FIELD!!!

As Israel turns 61, students and artists stand united in hope, or “hatikvah.” Pass this video to family and friends in celebration of Israel’s Independence Day.
From hillel.org

Israel’s turning 61, so AEPi is throwing a party.
This Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 8:00pm in the Commons Gameroom (2nd floor)
Come for a cool atmosphere, dancing, food, and mocktails.

Also, we’ll be raffling off two of our sexiest brothers: Danger & Leprechaun, with all proceeds going to charity.

Enter into the raffle for “A Night with Danger” and “Catch the Leprechaun.”
–Update–
Danger and Leprechaun just had their debut photo shoot, so check out the new pics! Come out to have your favorite photos personally signed by these two devils!
For more info email David Sivak

This Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 10 AM to 4 PM come to the Commons and get your Free blue and white cookie and don’t forget the falafel in honor of Israel’s 61st birthday
Woohoo for ΣΑΕΠ’s first official event!!!!!!