Israel Awareness Week at the University of Florida is an event hosted by Jewish Awareness Month and the Jewish Student Union. Taking place earlier in the school year, apart from the Month itself, IAW is a joint effort of the pro-Israel and Israeli cultural groups on campus, including Gators for Israel, the Florida Israel Project, and the Israeli Student Organization, to promote and provide education on Israel culturally, politically, and socially, encouraging both knowledge- and advocacy-based initiatives through exciting and engaging programming. Events and activities include the semi-annual Kumzitz at local campsites, panel discussions and forums, and the pro-Israel Rally in the Plaza of the Americas featuring guest speakers from the Israeli Consulate in Miami, among other international outlets. During 2006, the fourth annual Israel Awareness Week took place from Monday, February 5, through Monday, February 13. Please contact Jewish Awareness Month for more information about and to help with IAW 2007!

The Jewish Student Union at the University of Florida is one of the largest Student Government funded organizations on campus representing the almost 7000 Jewish students in Gainesville. JSU oversees eight individual umbrella groups that range from those representing the different sects of Judaism to the interest in Israeli culture to the relationship and advocacy of The United States and Israel, and Israeli Dancing. JSU’s goal it to provide programming that caters to the interests of not only all the Jewish Students at the University of Florida, but students of every background and religion. The Jewish Student Union prides itself in their everlasting openness for anyone at UF to attend a program or meeting. The programs that JSU hosts range from those that showcase different Jewish Holidays to roundtable discussions with a variety of people representing different religions and cultures to tubing down to Ichnetucknee River over the summer to relax with friends. For more information about The Jewish Student Union at UF, please visit our website at www.ufjsu.org.

Hillel at UF is waiting for you! Please come by to visit our amazing building at 2020 W. University Avenue where you can eat, play pool, watch huge tv’s, hang out, study, use computers and joke around with our staff. We have lots of new programs and ideas we want to share with you. Here are a few:

• Our website is new and improved at www.ufhillel.org
• Our dining room will soon get a new name – The Jerusalem Café – new wall colors and new pictures of students all around. Send us your photos!
• Our front lobby will soon be home to The Oy Vey Café Coffee Cart
• Our Sports Lounge will soon serve food every Sunday-Tuesday nights from 8-11pm
• Our Jewish Student Life Committee is looking for new members to help make Hillel the best it can be
• Our Birthright trips are filling up – come by to sign up
• Our masgiach, Shimon, is hosting a Sephardic Shabbaton on March 24
• Our rabbis are getting ready for the next Ruach Chaim weekend with Rami Shapiro on March 31
• We are getting ready to host the fashion show of the century on April 9

Please come by and make Hillel your home. We are waiting for you!

As a Jewish home away from home at UF, we offer a non-judgmental, open and friendly beacon of light amidst an array of political agendas, counter-cultures, missionaries and isms all vying for the student’s body and mind. Through blending traditional values with contemporary techniques, we are able to help students connect to their roots as they discover meaning in living Jewishly and develop an appreciation for their heritage and proudly identify with Judaism. We are the one address where every Jewish student can turn to for everything from a homemade bowl of chicken soup Friday night to a Torah class or a philosophical discussion during the week. On a personal level, we are available 24/7 for counseling or just a welcoming friendly chat. We welcome you to join with us. Participate in the programs and get involved in our activities. Stop by the Center any time for a discussion, a cup of coffee, a smile or a hello. You don’t need an excuse to drop in, that’s what we’re here for.

Shabbat & Holiday dinners, weekly inspirational Torah classes, special programs, social & educational events throughout the year. We are located at 2021 NW 5th Ave., just 5 blocks north of the stadium. For more info or to join our mailing list, visit www.JewishGator.com.

Our children, Mendel, Mushka, Rochel and Levi, join us in wishing you and your loved ones much happiness and health. Go Gators!

Rabbi Berl & Chanie Goldman