[net.religion.jewish] Pegisha - Judaism: the Intellect and Beyond

mzk@homxa.UUCP (Michael Zvi Krumbein Consultant ) (12/18/84)

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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