Israel's turning 60 this year! Come to Hillel for the last BBQ of the school year to join in the celebration. We'll have your favorite Israeli cuisine, music and hookahs! Save the date for May 7th from 5:30-6:30 at Hillel.

Juniors and Seniors, join Amelia for Happy Hour at Ciudad next Tuesday, May 6th from 5-7. Need a ride? Meet at Hillel at 4:30. Drinks on you, food on Hillel.

Join Hillel on graduation day at our open house brunch with your family ! We want to say goodbye, with a hearty Mazal Tov and L'hitraot, until we see you again.

Friday, May 16 ~ Stop by Hillel between 11am and 2:00 pm

Bring your family, friends and loved ones for a FREE brunch following your Commencement ceremony. All are welcome! We really want to say goodbye; we hope your journey at USC over the years brought you personal growth Jewishly, and we want to remain a resource for you as you make your journey into new cities and new realities. Please come by! We still have a small senior gift for you as well...

Every Tuesday, for absolutely free, USC Hillel offers the following class schedule:

5-6pm Hebrew Crash Course
In an effort to build greater Hebrew literacy, USC Hillel is embarking on a campaign to ensure that all Jewish students know the language of their communal heritage, Hebrew. An ancient language with roots deeply embedded in Western Civilization, Rabbi Jonathan Klein will teach students both how to read this ancient script and explain aspects of each letter's symbolism, including Jewish mysticism and scholarly details of their origins.

6-7pm Introduction to Judaism
Students attending this Introduction to Judaism course will have an opportunity to both "Ask the Rabbi" their burning questions and also enter a curriculum that will provide them with a basic background in Jewish tradition, history, and practice. Rabbi Jonathan Klein will lead this class, with occasional guest speakers. Students considering conversion, students participating in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, and others just interested in expanding their knowledge base are encouraged to attend.

7-7:30 One-on-One preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Never had a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah ceremony? Not even sure what one really is? Join us after the Intro to Judaism class for special preparation efforts for the B'nai Mitzvah (combined Bar and Bat Mitzvah) service and Torah reading. Rabbi Klein will discuss the details with you of what makes such a service meaningful, prepare the service, plan the party, and more! Individualized attention will be devoted to students' needs.
If you never ritualized your commitment to being a Jew and would like to experience this celebration of American Jewry, with all the Pomp and Circumstance that you have ever dreamed before, please join us! It will definitely be catered to the spiritual needs of the students who attend, so come and make this tradition meaningful to you!

In Israel this summer? Want to make a difference?

Volunteer in rocket-effected Sderot, part of the Gaza envelope, and other towns to show solidarity and support a project being undertaken by the Hillel at local Sapir College.

For more information go to the Facebook Event or email Charlie Carnow at carnow@usc.edu

Israel's 60th Birthday is around the corner, and look what's happening in LOS ANGELES! http://www.letmypeoplesing.com/6040_promo.php

Was your New Year's resolution to become more active in today's social issues? Then don't wait to sign up for the 2nd Annual Walk for Darfur. The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness in the community not only about the genocide but its connection to the 2008 Olympics in China. This year's Walk is scheduled for Sunday, June 1, 2008 at the Valley Alliance of the Jewish Federation Council and will be followed by an informational fair. Please sign up and show your support for this atrocity. For more information and to register, go to www.walkfordarfur.org. It is time to no longer "stand idly by."

For more information about the walk or to get involved in planning the walk, please contact Danielle Goodrich (dgoodric@usc.edu)

The AIPAC Policy Conference is the preeminent gathering of the pro-Israel community, drawing more than 6,000 community and student activists from all 50 states. Top administration and Israeli officials, congressional leaders, and decision makers address the 3-day event.
Attendees choose from more than 300 hours of Conference programming, including open mic discussions with leading political and policy experts, small discussion groups with noted academicians and hands-on workshops to enhance advocacy skills. On the closing day of the Conference, delegates participate in the pro-Israel community's largest lobbying day, visiting more than 500 congressional offices to make the case for strong U.S.-Israel ties.

Student delegate applications are available online at www.aipac.org/PCStudentDelegate.
The subsidized student delegate registration fee is $249. Student hotel accommodations with 4 people to a room are $225 for 3 nights (June 1-4). Scholarships are available - contact Farrah Green at fagreen@aipac.org to learn more or with any questions!

Looking for an internship? A roommate? A job teaching Hebrew school? Check out our Bulletin Board to see what opportunities are available to USC students.

If you want to post an announcement (housing requests and job/internship opportunities ONLY!), please click here.

Rising costs of higher education often mean that students must either put aside their dreams of a college education or graduate degree, or assume serious indebtedness as the alternative. The cost of tuition, books and living expenses is a burden even for financially stable middle-class families. Educational assistance is a priority for JFLA. Since the establishment of the first Student Loan Fund in 1988, JFLA has assisted more than 2,000 students with interest-free loans totaling more than $5 million.

Undergraduate students are eligible for loans of up to $2,500 per year. Graduate students are eligible for loans of up to $3,000 per year. All student loans are renewable on an annual basis. Students must be permanent residents of Southern California and enrolled as a full-time student. Students must have a GPA above a 2.5 and two co-signers.

For more information about our student loan programs or to schedule an appointment for an interview, please contact Saul Korin at Saul@jfla.org or call 323-761-8830 x109.