A Way of Life

As a student, I often find myself struggling with my hectic schedule. On top of a full course load, I find myself allotting time between several student organizations from Miami Entrepreneurs to Hillel; Managing and working my DJ service, Knuckle-Up Productions; heading up the student record label MIOX RECORDS; working on new business ventures; meeting for group projects; interning at Hillel; eating and of course, sleeping (I get winded even thinking about it all). My weeks become a blur of activities, conversations, meetings, and information.
Despite my hectic schedule, I always find time for one important event in my week. Beginning freshman year I met three great friends who soon become my “entourage”. Every Friday we would walk out of the front doors of Collins Hall located on East Quad. In the crew are Eric Sunray (The rock star), Diogo Metz (The diplomat), Jeff Kloosterman (The artistic one), and myself, Dan Albert (The businessman). Despite our unique qualities we all shared one universal quality, our Judaism. Dressed in our finest linens we walked down High Street as an entity (The Jew Crew). Our mission was to hit up Hillel’s Beerman Center for the weekly Shabbat Services, snag some good food, and perhaps pick up a few ladies along the way. Every Friday, I knew I had a group of great guys that wanted to go celebrate our Judaism for a few hours of the night.
Hillel soon became the place we went to for a home cooked meal and a chance to spend some time with some quality people. I always will remember walking out of Hillel completely full and dreading the walk back to East Quad. After arriving back and regrouping we joined our other friends for a night on the town.
Attending Hillel has always been a part of my schedule despite the many events I have going on throughout the week or later on a Friday night. It has become a routine and a comfort. Every Friday night I feel like I have the ability to travel back home to St. Louis, MO. and experience the environment I have grown up in; an environment where Friday nights are about family first. By minimizing the outside distractions and eliminating answering the phone or watching television, we were able to focus on what was most important in our life; the relationship and open communication about the ups and downs, hopes and aspirations of our lives.

I see Hillel as my family, like many social and religious groups it allows for a place of open expression and the cultivation of relationships.

I will never forget the memories I have had while attending Hillel or the relationships I have established.

I am proud to say that to this day those that I began my Hillel journey with are still a part of it; they are a piece of me; a piece of Hillel; a piece of Miami; and a piece of Judaism and all that it encompasses.

Best Wishes,

Dan Albert
Hillel Engagment Intern
Albertds@muohio.edu

Hillel Featured in the Miami Student Paper!

Hey everyone,

Last week Miami University's Hillel was featured in the Miami Student. If you didn't get the chance to read the story in the paper that is published bi-weekly I have included it here for your reading pleasure.

Tommorow we head off to see Matisyahu with 13 students and are looking forward to a great time when we meet up with UC Hillel students for dinner and the show!

For those of you who are students good luck on finishing up with the last week of classes

Dan Albert

Hillel Engagement Intern

Albertds@muohio.edu

Hillel to attend Matisyahu concert Dec. 11


Miami University's chapter of Hillel, a Jewish campus organization, will be attending Hasidic Jewish rapper Matisyahu's concert Dec. 11 in Cincinnati.Hillel, one of the largest national Jewish campus organizations, allows Jewish students to discover their religious identity, according to their Web site.Hillel at Miami also allows students faculty, staff and the Oxford community to participate in religious, Israel-focused, social, educational, and community service-based events according to junior and Hillel member Dan Albert.Matisyahu, a Hasidic Jew, combines reggae, rock and hip-hop in his performances. He is strongly known for not performing on Shabbat and opening his concerts with a prayer according to Miami senior, Dan Birnbaum.According to Albert who organized the trip, Matisyahu is more of a rock star musician than a Hasidic Reggae rapper. Rather than focusing solely on religious aspects, Matisyahu's songs speak of his experiences growing up, said Albert.Since 2002, Albert has attended four Matisyahu concerts and said he enjoyed the number of diverse fans that the music reaches. With this event, Albert wanted to bring his musical interests to the attention of other students on campus."I'm not just a fan because he's Jewish," Albert said. "The lyrics they write are high-quality and I see more of the music."Hillel, located on East Walnut Street at the Beerman Jewish Student Center, encompasses a chapel, computer lab, wireless Internet and library, kitchen, dining room, game room and TV lounge. Hillel has weekly Jewish Shabbat services, followed by a home-cooked meal for all members of the community on Friday evenings. During the High Holidays and Passover, meals, services and seders are provided to the community.Birnbaum, member of Hillel, has also attended several Matisyahu concerts. Just like the concerts, Birnbaum says it is not uncommon to have non-Jewish members of the community attend Shabbat services at Oxford's Hillel weekly. "We promote involvement from the whole community, not just the Jewish community," he said.Other students at Miami that are not Jewish and non-members of Hillel enjoy listening to Matisyahu's music. Junior Tony Stricker attended a Matisyahu concert in Cleveland three years ago."It's incredible how people of all ages and religious affiliations can really enjoy his music," he said.Albert has purchased 15 tickets to the show for Jewish and non-Jewish students on campus. Through word of mouth, Albert has sold all 15 of his tickets.Tickets for the concert are still available to purchase on the Matisyahu Web site.Matisyahu performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at Bogart's in Cincinnati.

Dreaming Towards the Future

Welcome Back,

As an individual I would classify myself as a dreamer. As a dreamer I am constantly working towards my goals.

As an individual I would classify myself as an innovator. As an innovator I want to change the world one step at a time.

As an individual I would classify myself as unique. I enjoy being different from others; a diamond in the rough.

This week we saw dreams become a reality. In this blog I am not attempted to push any political opinion but more importantly push human integrity. As Jews within society we have faced years and years of oppression, anti-Semitism and hatred, but we also have experienced many joys that have allowed Jews and Judaism to survive as the longest standing religion of the world.


On Tuesday November 4th, we saw the nation elect an African American man to the White House. I acknowledge that within our society we have differing opinions. Some may be accepting of this change and others not so much. This dream though was not about Red or Blue (Republican or Democratic), but rather two more important colors; Black and White. On Tuesday, we put the true colors that really matter aside and we did this for one purpose. As individuals we are tired of dreaming about making America a better place and we are ready for that shot at reality.

On Wednesday November 5th, 2008 the day after the election we saw another dream come true. Barak Obama offered his chief of staff position to a bright Jewish individual by the name of Rahm Emanuel.

A little Background on Rahm Emanuel:

Rahm is a democratic individual who has served as a representative in the house for the 5th district of his home state Illinois. Rahms represents the Jewish people in a favorable light. He was born in Chicago to a Jerusalem born father; Benjamin Emanuel who served as a member of the Irgun (a militant Zionist group who served against the British Mandate) and a Rock n’ Roll club owner mother, Martha Smulevitz. Rahm grew up highly connected to his roots as a Jew. He attended a Jewish Day School in Chicago for a portion of his elementary education and would attend Israel every summer with his two brothers and sister, visiting family and taking in the place that has ultimately made him who he is today.

Rahms family is of a unique caricature. His brother Ari Emanuel is one of the top talent agents in Los Angeles and the entertainment industry. Ari began his career working at I.C.M. and soon left with a few other employees to begin what is now called Endeavor Agency one of the top agencies in LA representing Sacha Baron Cohen, Larry David, and Mark Whalberg. Rahms other brother Ezekiel is a top oncologist and doctor and the youngest is his sister Shoshannah.

Representative Rahm is said to have been an inspiration for a character on West Wing and brother Ari is the inspiration of the character Ari Gold on the HBO series Entourage.

Ten years ago, who would have never imagined a black president and Jewish Chief of Staff in the White House. For these two men, dreams were not their stopping point but rather their beginning.

As we watch as the government switches over in the next few weeks, we are hopeful that the term acceptance is once again brought upon us. Everyone starts somewhere and with hard work; you too can make your dreams a reality.

This week though wasn’t about the dreams of only two individuals; it was about the dreams of a nation and making them a reality together.

The dream that one day despite your religion, despite the color of your skin, sexual orientation, or gender; we are all equal. If anything this week, remember that history was made, whatever the future holds; good or bad.

As Jews we need to be proud; sometimes it is those experiences, like traveling to Israel every summer, attending a Jewish Day School, meeting a life long friends or seeing a rock concert that shape whether those DREAMS become a REALITY.


Shabbat Shalom,

Dan Albert
Albertds@muohio.edu

Hillel Engagment Intern
miamihillel@gmail.com

A Reflection On Our Past and Look Towards the Future

Welcome,

This year at Hillel we have decided to incorporate a new aspect into the way Judaism is viewed on campus, but most importantly how it is viewed through you; the student. As technology changes; almost everyday new and innovative methods are popping up allowing groups of individuals to stay connected with one another and better express how they see themselves within the world today. At Hillel, we value each value each and every student on this campus regardless of what faith. When creating this blog we wanted to provide a place where students like yourself feel comfortable about expressing the positive and negatives of their Jewish experience here on Miami’s campus. Most importantly, we created this blog as a space for you to share your personal experiences of how Judaism played a role in your lives before coming to Miami. We want you to share your personal experiences- including things like travelling abroad, celebrating the holidays, youth groups, and even life-long friendships. Share with us your crazy stories, personal memoirs, and life changing experiences. This blog is about breaking social barriers. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing these stories in public, this space was created for you and we encourage everyone to feel comfortable contributing as little or as often as you like.

As the holidays are approaching and Monday evening marked the beginning of the Jewish new year; Rosh Hashanah I wanted to take this time and reflect back on an important experience that has shaped who I am today. During my senior year in high school I had the opportunity to study abroad in Israel for two months. In the winter of 2006 I boarded an El-Al jet with thirty Jewish high school students from around the United States. Together we encompassed a wide range of interests, backgrounds, histories, and ages. I was preparing to pack-up all that existed back home in the United States, miss a semester of my senior year, and arrive in a land that I had only learned about through books, movies and textbooks. A land that I knew only little about but for some reason was drawn too. I believe it was this sense of unknowing that I was so excited for; a chance to make new friends from around the country and around the world and at the same time explore a land full of culture.

I lived in Hod Hasharon while attending the Alexander Muss Institute in Israel. Everyday, I woke up to the smiling faces of Israeli students, Ethiopian and Russian immigrants and a campus full of diversity. While living in Israel we were encouraged to keep journal entries of our emotions, experience, and personal testimonies. Below is a section of one of my journals I find myself constantly looking back on.

"Our introduction to Jerusalem during sunset was unbelievable. As I took my blindfold off and was able to catch a glimpse of this beautiful city, I was speechless. Sitting on the steps and hearing the calls to prayer over the speakers was something that provided more of a sense of reality of being in Israel. At this one point it felt like Christians, Jews and Muslims were united by one voice and one motive."
Sometimes it takes a life changing experience to open our eyes to what life is really about. Despite our differences; we may have a lot of similarities. Only through conversation do we realize how similar we are and we can put our voices together to reach one goal.
It’s amazing how an experience can have such a strong affect on the individual. After travelling to Israel I realized that what occurs in the world around us shapes us no matter how aware we are. Within us we carry generation and generations of history that is hidden deep inside us.
As the holiday nears I challenge each and every individual to try something new, make a new friend, or mend a broken a friendship and I look forward to seeing everyone around campus.

Lashana Tova,
Dan Albert
Hillel Engagement Intern
miamihillel@gmail.com