Campus Updates: Brandeis, UCLA, York University

Brandeis University

By Zach Seeskin

The Brandeis University Conservative Organization (BUCO), Brandeis’s KOACH-affiliated group, is excited for all of its events in the coming year!

Because of its large and active membership, with more than 350 students on our listserv, the challenges that BUCO faces are probably different from those of most other campuses.

One of these challenges includes the need to reach out and connect with other communities at Brandeis. Recently, hosting Jonathan Ross to perform his one-man show "Walking in Memphis: The Life of a Southern Jew" helped BUCO to fulfill this need. The cultural content of the show drew the interest of many communities that co-sponsored the show, including the Brandeis Orthodox Organization, the Brandeis Reform Chavurah, Future Alumni of Brandeis, and the Intercultural Center.

The 125 students who attended the show were amazed with Jonathan’s great gift for storytelling, which led the audience through both funny and touching moments.

Beyond that, BUCO is looking forward to some great events this semester.

• Minyanim are held Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, Monday morning, and Thursday morning.
• Educational opportunities include regularly held shiurim (classes) and KOACH Shabbat.
• Many BUCO members are also performing the mitzvah of bikur holim, visiting the sick, by participating in Mitzvah Clowning, one of the social justice projects that BUCO is leading.
• BUCO also offers many social events for members. Highlights for this semester include the Sukkot BBQ and Drive ‘Til Dawn, a scavenger hunt around Boston.

Overall, BUCO is proud of its community and is looking to reach new heights in 2005-2006!

UCLA

By Jenn Lorch, KOACH Intern
University of California, Los Angeles

KOACH @ Hillel at UCLA is ready to begin a great year. We have just created a new and improved list serve, and you can check out us online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KOACHatUCLA.

This year on KOACH Shabbat we are launching the Kiruv program at Hillel at UCLA. The goals of the Kiruv program are twofold:

• First, create open dialogues about interfaith relationships so that they don't happen; and
• Second  by saying, we know that interfaith relationships happen, so how can we keep Judaism in their lives?

We're excited for the upcoming year, and can't wait to show our spirit at KOACH Kallah! For more information about KOACH @ Hillel at UCLA, contact Jenn Lorch at KOACHatUCLA@yahoo.com!

York University, Toronto

By Shira Zeliger, KOACH Intern
York University

KOACH at York University in Toronto, Canada is pumped up for another great year of programming. We're kicking off the year with a "Welcome Back BBQ" at the end of September. We'll be noshing, mingling and learning with a community rabbi about the month of Elul.

October is a month FILLED with hagim (holidays) and what better way to celebrate than with KOACH? We're planning on having some Sukkot celebrations (SUSHI INCLUDED!) and learning with alumni of the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. November is special for KOACH all across the continent because it is the month of KOACH Shabbat. Here in Toronto we'll be celebrating this wonderful opportunity to connect KOACH at York with KOACH on so many other university campuses.

[Posted 9/29/05]