University of Kentucky
Jewish Student Organization/Hillel Foundation
 PO Box 613, University Station Lexington, KY 40506-0025

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Danny Nichols Comes to Temple Adath Israel, Friday & Saturday, Sept. 19 & 20

Please join Temple Adath Israel (124 N. Ashland Ave.) in welcoming Jewish rock musician Danny Nichols.  He will be involved with the Erev Shabbat service on Friday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  In addition, he will be presenting a workshop on creative liturgy on Saturday morning and a concert on Saturday night.  Please call Temple Adath Israel  at 269-2979 for the exact times of these events.

High Holidays Begin on Friday Evening, September 27

Rosh Hashanah begins on the evening of Friday, September 27.  Students are most welcome to attend services at any of the three local congregations.  While you do not have to buy tickets, you are encouraged to contact the congregations ahead of time to make arrangements and to learn of times for the various services.  Phone numbers for the congregations are:

Lexington Havurah (Conservative) - 269-4493

Ohavay Zion Synagogue (Conservative) - 266-8050

Temple Adath Israel (Reform) - 269-2979

Some information is also available at the web sites of these organizations. Scroll down to "Links of Jewish Interest" to find links to the three congregations.

The officers and staff of JSO/Hillel wish all of you a Shana Tova.

Pizza in the Hut  in the Ohavay Zion Synagogue on Monday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m.

You are most welcome to join us for pizza as we fulfill your mitzvah of spending time in the sukkah during Sukkot at Ohavay Zion Synagogue, 2048 Edgewater Court (off of Alumni Drive). Look for more details in a future update.

Hiking at Red River Gorge on Sunday, October 19

Get out your hiking boots and join us for a hike at Red River Gorge. We plan to leave Lexington at 10:30 a.m. We will be hiking in one of the most scenic parts of Kentucky at the peak of foliage coloration.  You don't want to miss this outing.  Look for more details in a future update.

Need names of students attending college in Central KY area
This is the time of year when we need everyone's help in getting the names and contact information (especially e-mail addresses) of Jewish college students in our Central Kentucky area.  Many returning students have new addresses.  If you are a student or know of students, please let us know.  This will allow us to get as many Jewish students involved in our activities during the coming year.  Please do  not assume that we already know someone's name or address. Thanks for your help.

Student, Faculty, Staff and Friends are most welcome at JSO/Hillel Events. 

Need more information?  Need a ride? Please feel free to contact any of the staff members or officers listed below.

JSO OFFICERS

JSO STAFF

Please contact any of our officers or staff (at links above) for information and to be added to our mailing list.

As Hillel said: If not now, when then?  Get involved now!

 Links of Jewish Interest

Calendar of Jewish Holidays

MISSION STATEMENT

JSO/Hillel serves as the representative of  Jewish students and the local Jewish community on the UK campus.  It is our goal to provide students an avenue to social, educational, spiritual, and affiliational aspects of Judaism. We aim to reach out  to undergraduate, graduate and professional students on the UK campus as well as those at all of the other institutions of higher education in the Central Kentucky area. The organization is flexible, dynamic and student-centered.

RELIGIOUS

We all have different beliefs and backgrounds - all views are valued.  JSO/Hillel is not affiliated with any particular branch of Judaism.  The three Lexington Jewish congregations welcome students to their religious services (including high holidays) and other events.  JSO/Hillel can arrange home hospitality for students wishing to spend holidays with local Jewish families.  JSO/Hillel holds a number of its own holiday-related events including: Passover seders, Shabbat dinners and Chanukah and Sukkot parties. JSO/Hillel is a member organization of the University of Kentucky’s Religious Advisors Staff.

SOCIAL

Camaraderie and recreational activities are an important part of JSO’s programming.  We get together for dinners, coffee, movies, parties, picnics...whatever it is that college students do.

EDUCATIONAL

JSO/Hillel is a source for enrichment and exploration of the Jewish heritage.  Throughout the year, JSO/Hillel provides a link to a number of educational programs, including lectures by the UK Judaic Studies Program and the Central Kentucky Jewish Federation and other special events.

SERVICE

JSO/Hillel is an initiator of social action and conscience, encouraging students to accept the challenge of tikkun olam (making a better world).  As Rabbi Hillel said, “If I am for myself alone what am I?”  Examples of JSO/ Hillel’s social action projects include  serving Christmas dinner for cancer patients at the Ronald McDonald House, donating food for God’s Pantry Food Bank, raising funds for Mazon: a Jewish Response to Hunger and marching in the Martin Luther King Day Parade.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

During the school year, JSO/Hillel publishes a monthly newsletter, JSO Update, which provides details of upcoming events on campus and in the community.  To keep informed of JSO/Hillel activities, please be sure to provide us with your  postal and e-mail addresses.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Our events are open to everyone.  In addition to students, we welcome Jewish faculty, staff and community members.

PLEASE CONTACT US

If you have any questions or require assistance, please feel free to contact any of the staff or student officers, who make up our leadership team for the 2002-2003 academic year.