Finals are nearing, the temperature has dropped, and snow flakes threatened to fall, but nothing could beat the warmth and excitement over the past 10 days from all the terrific Hillel events at the Joseph Stern Building and throughout the campus community!

Consider some highlights...107 students auditioned for Campus Superstar, nearly 60 people connected with "Faces of Homelessness," Pajamarama at CMU drew almost 150 late-night revelers, the annual Hanukah bash hit a new high with 80 attendees, and we set a NATIONAL RECORD with 187 Jewish students who came for free genetic disease screening yesterday! The previous high for any campus was 181 at University of Pennsylvania. It's nice to beat the Ivy League...

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR FINAL EXAMS! Between and after exams, remember these opportunities: a guest lecture on the Nazis and their "Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race," the semester's last evening of Shabbat services and FREE dinner @ the Hillel JUC, home hospitality Shabbat services and FREE dinner (Dec. 15), and the TAG (Twenty-somethings And Graduates) Vodka and Latke Party Dec. 16 @ Shadow Lounge.

Finals getting you down? Need some energy? If your parents are part of the FULL Parents' Circle, come get your FREE finals baskets, with enough caffeine, pencils, and snacks to make finals a little easier! E-mail Laura for details.

The Parents' Circle at any level also gives you a Hanukah menorah and candles, so stop by the Hillel JUC to get them any time! And grab your t-shirt, backpack, and umbrella if you haven't already!
Want a finals basket? Tell your parents to sign up for the Parents' Circle by contacting Laura!

Thursday, Dec. 7 The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), the C.F. Reynolds Medical History Society, and the Jewish Studies Program present "Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race," a lecture by Dr. Susan Bachrach, Curator of Special Exhibits at the USHMM. 6pm @ Scaife Hall, Lecture Room #6 (Pitt). For more info contact Professor Alex Orbach.

Friday, Dec. 8 Join friends and neighbors for Shabbat services (5pm) and a FREE delicious dinner (6pm) @ the Hillel JUC. This will be the last large Shabbat dinner of the semester @ the Hillel JUC, and the theme is summer camp, so bring your memories and appetite! For more info contact Sahar.

Friday, Dec. 15 If you're still in Pittsburgh then, come for Shabbat services and FREE dinner at a local student's apartment. If you're interested in hosting or attending one of several such dinners (with financial assistance from the Hillel JUC), contact Sahar by Dec. 10.

Saturday, Dec. 16 Twenty-somethings And Graduate students (TAG) are invited to the first ever Vodka and Latke Party, 9pm @ Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Boulevard. Live music by The Freedom Band, raffle prizes, hors d'oeuvres, and more. $10 in advance or $12 at the door. This special night is 21+ and non-smoking. Questions or RSVP: E-mail or call Ann via (412) 992-5255.

Young Zionist Leadership Conference in Miami Beach, Florida: Jan. 19-21 University Student Department/Hagshama of the World Zionist Organization invite you to join over 100 student leaders from around the US! Connect to Israeli social activism, dare to debate controversial issues in Israel, explore Hebrew culture (food, film, and art), strengthen your campus advocacy skills and personal connection to Zionism.
Application DEADLINE is Friday, Dec. 15, and cost (including flight) is ONLY $170!!! Apply here and for more info contact Sahar.

Spitzer Hillel Forum on Social Justice in Washington, DC: Feb. 25-27 Join hundreds of students who share your interest in pursuing social justice through political activism, grassroots organizing, community service, and advocacy. This year's central theme is sustainability. Make new friends, meet the experts, lobby on Capitol Hill, and create solutions to make your environment sustainable!
Early-bird application DEADLINE is Friday, Dec. 15, and cost is $365. Apply here. The price rises if you apply after Dec. 15. For more info contact Sahar.

Now through Dec. 30 The Framery proudly presents "Pure Faith," the latest collection by Israeli ethnographical photographer Harel Stanton. Don't miss this stunning visual exploration of faith around the world. Check out Harel Stanton's website. The Framery is located at 4731 Butler Street in Lawrenceville.

JEVS Internship - Summer 2007 JEVS (Jewish Employment and Vocational Service) awards a limited number of stipends to Jewish university students who expect to reside in the Delaware Valley in June-August 2007. Interns visit a variety of organizations within the Jewish communal service system. For more info and to apply ASAP, contact Peggy Truitt.

Need-based Scholarships for 2007-08 The Central Scholarship and Loan Referral Service (CSLRS) of the United Jewish Federation (UJF) of Greater Pittsburgh offers need-based grants to Jewish students (undergrad and grad) who have been residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, or Westmoreland Counties for at least two years. Applications are available and the application deadline is February 6, 2007. For more info contact the Career Development Center of Jewish Family and Children's Service @ (412) 422-5627.