mzk@homxa.UUCP (Michael Zvi Krumbein Consultant ) (12/18/84)
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fowarded from ...!houxa
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HAPPY CHANUKAH!
Announcement follows ...
[NOTE: Although the following announcement mentions college
students, it is not limited to the same - either by age or
vocation -- M.A.]
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CONVENTION FOR JEWISH COLLEGE STUDENTS (AND OTHERS)
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JUDAISM - THE INTELLECT AND BEYOND
"The Greeks Had No Word For It"
Man, according to some Greek philosophers, is nothing more
than a featherless biped - the ideal animal whose perfection
lies in the cultivation of physical beauty and the refinement
of his rational faculties. And back in the days when Israel
was ruled by Hellenist Syrians, schooled in the Greek tradition,
Judaism was seen as a threat to this world view. For the Jew
sees man as something more than an intelligent animal, and
seeks to live by more than just the limitations of human
understanding and strength. Simply put, the Jew lives by
the dictates of his G-dly soul.
The festival of CHanukah,this year on December 18-26, is
a celebration of that distinction, and of Jewish liberation
from Hellenistic oppression. The ancient Greeks were not
satisfied to argue their veiwpoint in public forums; they
tried to force us, by the sword, to abandon our spiritual
heritage. The courageous Maccabees, who refused to submit,
emerged victorious, only by the miraculous hand of G-d.
Today, in America, there is no violent regime attempting to
annihilate the Jewish soul, thank G-d; but the subtle (and
sometimes not so subtle) pressures toward assimilation have
carried on the Greek tradition, and still threaten the
spiritual quality of Jewish life. Through renewed Jewish
awareness and inspired practice, we can withstand that
pressure and emerge much stronger for it.
On this theme, the Chabad Lubavitch chassidim will host a
seminar-style convention for Jewish college students. The
program will feature lectures and workshps with Chassidic
scholars on the divergence between the two aforementione
world views, accenting the unique rational - superrational
awareness of Judaism. Sessions will analyze their ideological
differences, as well as their current-day manifestations and
profound personal application. Other activities include
study sessions of traditional and Chassidic texts which
illuminate the theme, unique insights into Shabbat, and a
Chassidic-style fabrengen - an informal get-together to
exchange ideas and feelings to gather inspiration and grow
together. Although the program is geared for college and
university students, interested non-students are invited to
attend.
Location: Brooklyn,NY
Dates: Dec20-23 and Dec27-30
For more information, please call (718)778-4270 or (718)493-8581
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Moishe Altman
Bellcore
HO 3D-523
(201) 949-4403