Israel Christian Nexus

Senior pastor from Calvary Chapel Long Beach spoke about the ties between Christan and Jewish faith during the Beach Hillel luncheon Wednesday April 29.

Pastor Roger Cochran, accompanied by his wife Diane, shared about their annual mission trips to Israel with the church.

Cochran explained how Christianity has tight roots within the Jewish faith and how the bridges between the two should be amended.

"A large portion of the Bible was written by Jews," Cochran said. "It breaks my heart to see Christians dislike Jews and not acknowledge that they are God's chosen people."

As a result, Cochran proceeded to tell the Jewish filled room about an organization that promotes the coexistence of Israelis and Christians.

Israel Christian Nexus is an organization that joins Christians and Jews support to bettering the people's conditions and strengthen the state of Israel.

As a director of the organization, Cochran emphasized on the importance of unity and how both religions can work together in educating their congregation of Israel's history and biblical perspective.

photo taken by Israel Christian Nexus

sources: Pastor Roger Cochran and information from Israel Christian Nexus website

The Palestine Holocaust

The Muslim Student Association held a display of graphic images and skits on the Friendship Walk Wednesday April 29th in awareness of the Israeli massacre against Palestinians.

A student speaker narrated a skit acted out by club members which showed innocent Palestinians tied up side by side while Israeli soldiers questioned them at gun point.

According to the "Synopsis of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" information flier MSA members were handing out, the conflict first ignited in the late 1800s when a European group decided to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

The group settling in to Palestine was known as the Zionists and were granted "55 percent of Palestine to Jewish state" by the United Nations in 1947.

During the 1947-1949 war, Zionists committed a total of 33 massacres and continued to take over Palestinian territory during the war in 1967.

When asked what was the purpose for having this two day event about the history of Israel and Palestine, an anonymous member said it was to bring awareness of what has happened and how "the United States is supporting Israel through tax money averaging up to $7 million."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc0-OnfOKq4

photos taken by Janira

sources: student speaker, video taped by Rabii Yonah and posted on Youtube, and "The Origin of the Palestine-Israel Conflict"

"leave your religion out of my vagina"

Members of the Catholic Newman Club supported the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform this past Tuesday by promoting an anti-abortion campaign on the friendship walk.

Large images of aborted fetuses in different stages of development were well displayed for all to see. One image even compared the size of a 10 week old fetus to the size of a quarter. This showed how much bigger a fetus is, proving people's statements of fetuses under 10 weeks old being smaller than a quarter to be false.

Across the friendship walk were the pro-choice group protesting against the anti-abortion campaign.

A heated argument between a pro-choice feminist and a member of the Catholic Newman club drew the attention away from the wall of aborted fetuses.

Remilla Arcega, a member of the club, said it has been difficult to carry on a conversation with the pro-choice believers. "There's no dialogue, just screaming."

Arcega continued to explain the negative feedback they have received all day. "People who are pro-life are quiet about it and the only ones speaking out are the pro-choice people."

When asked if all the members of the Catholic Newman Club believed in pro-life and were obligated to support the anti-abortion campaign, Arcega said it was not mandatory for members to attend the event.

"No matter what church you go to, not everyone is going to have the same views."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9kESs2St4Y

photos taken by Janira

sources: Center for Bio-Ethical Reform member and Catholic Newman Club member Remilla Arcega. video from youtube

Holocaust Memorial

"It's not Jewish tradition to have a moment of silent," rabbi Yonah Bookstein explained after a ceremonail placing of stones in a pile as a symbol of the victims who died in the holocaust.

The hour long memorial, proceeded by a movie screening and discussion, was held in the Multi Culteral Center Wednsday April 22.

Guest speaker Eugene Schlesinger, a holocaust survivor in his 90s, was not able to attend due to his ill state of health. His absence allowed time for people to share stories of their ancestors who fell victims of the holocaust.

A gentleman by the name of Jeff talked about his great-grandmother "Gital" and how she was killed. "She boarded the train heading toward the concentration camp," Jeff explained. "They believe she was taken to the gas chamber... that was the last time she was seen."

After a moment of silence, giving anyone a chance to share their story, rabbi Yonah ended the memorial with a traditional hebrew prayer recited in hebrew first followed by the english translation.

"... May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen."

photo was taken by Janira

Sources: Rabii Yonah and other members attending the memorial.

Judaism, it's ancient yet still existing

Although it may not be well advertised, it is indeed Jewish Awareness Month at CSULB, and not many students seem to know about it.

A few students passing by the bookstore may have paid attention to the sign announcing 15 percent off Jewish studies related materials due to Jewish Awareness Month. Yet when approaching students in surrounding common areas, they were not aware of the event.

There are approximately 3,000 young Jews in the Long Beach area, which means a good portion attend CSULB. Despite the large figure, not many of the Jewish students on campus are active in displaying their faith or speaking out about their beliefs.

In comparison to the Muslim Student Association and their advertisements throughout campus, events for the Jewish Awareness Month were scarcely marketed, making it difficult to reach out to the majority of students.

Besides marking down the prices of Jewish related materials, the only other big event at CSULB has been hosting a Holocaust Memorial.

Dana, one of the representatives for Beach Hillel said that in the up-coming week they will be tabling and providing information about Hillel and answering questions people may have about Israel and Judaism.

The Movement of "Christians on Campus"

It was announced at the "Christians on Campus" dinner that there will be a weekend long conference entitled "The Heavenly Vision and the Divine Commission" between April 17-19.

The conference is an opportunity to meet other Christians on Campus (C.O.C.) members from universities in Southern California, as well as to dig in the word of God and grow spiritually.

Carol Ross, one of the leaders of C.O.C. in Long Beach said in an e-mail interview that the club was established at CSULB in 1978, 10 years after its establishment at UCLA. Its founders had in mind the purpose of "leading students to Christ and helping them grow in Him."

C.O.C. is made up of undergrad and graduate students who share the same beliefs of the Trinity and desire to fellowship with one another. Approximately 30 students are active participating members and contribute to potluck dinners that take place before the official Bible study every Thursday night.

The club is funded by its staff members, CSULB alumni donors and anyone willing to help others with expenses such as the up coming retreat.

The Heavenly Vision and the Divine Commission conference is priced at $65, which includes food, study, and fellowship and will be held at a conference center in Anaheim. Address coming soon.

Muslim Awareness Week

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) hosted a three day event in awareness of their religious heritage.

The Islamic Awareness Week, which started Tuesday, was an event to bring knowledge and understanding of the Islamic faith, as well as to break the stereotype people develop due to the media. (photo from google)

President of MSA Farah Admani says that by “just answering questions and putting info out there” can help deal with discrimination towards them. “We want to inform students on campus what Islam is about.”

The event hosted a number of informational tables about the five pillars of Islam, prayer sections, and free henna tattoos.

The 30 to 40 club members hold no animosity towards other religious clubs as they have previously worked with clubs such as Campus Crusades for Christ.

“Cooperation is important” Admani explains about working with other religious clubs.



Sources
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nja3R3qCaoM
interview with president of MSA Farah Admani