Happy Chanukah!

Tonight begins the celebration of Chanukah! Also called the Feast of Rededication or Feast of Lights, this Jewish festival “reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival.”1 

Our Associate Director of the Gould Law Library & Special Collections Curator Beth Mobley has created an interesting Chanukah exhibit in our Judaica room. As you are studying for finals, consider using the quiet and beautiful space in the Judaica room on our third floor, and while you’re there, take a look at this exhibit. The exhibit features the traditional celebration activities and foods:

Among the items on display are those displayed above, an art deco menorah and a traditional menorah with the blessings and the holiday song Ma’oz Tzur. There are also several draydls, chocolate gelt for the pot, and an illustrated latkes recipe for you to view. You can also peruse books about Chanukah from the Abraham Goldstein and Lillie Goldstein Judaica Collection, which are part of the display:

Chanukah continues for eight days and nights. Here at the Law Center, the menorah will be lit each night in the Atrium at 5:30 PM, except for Friday, when the menorah is lit before sunset in honor of the Shabbat. Please join in the nightly lighting of the menorah, and then visit our library to study. We wish you all a Happy Chanukah and a Happy Thanksgiving!

1Hanukkah (2013). In Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Retrieved November 27, 2013. This resource can be accessed by Touro Law Center Students only. Click here and scroll down to Encyclopaedia Britannica Online to access this resource.

Library Now Open 24/6+ for Finals Reading Period

In order to maximize your opportunities for quiet study, Gould Law Library is open as a study hall almost around the clock through the end of final exams (December 20th). These special hours are for Law Center Students ONLY. There are only a few exceptions to this round the clock availability through the end of finals, which are:

Thursday, November 28th, 2013:
The library is closed for observance of Thanksgiving.  No entry to the library is available.

Friday, November 29th, 2013:
The Library will open as a study hall only from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Library services are not available during this time.

EVERY Friday from 2:45 p.m. to Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.:
This closure is in observance of the Jewish Sabbath. Saturday access is subject to special conditions: You may use the 1st floor only; you must have your Touro ID and use the special access door to enter; and you cannot bring any food.

Please note that library services will not be available during the overnight periods and on Saturdays, although a security guard will be on duty. Students using the library during this time must sign in and out at security.

The entire library (except for the Circulation Desk, the Reference Office, and enclosed study rooms) is now a quiet zone to maximize available study space. In order to keep the quiet zone as quiet as possible, please take care to remember:

* No cell phone use is allowed in the library at any time.

* Conversation should be taken outside the library to the atrium.

* If you encounter any noise issues, please see a member of the library staff.

We’ll be back to post again soon.

In the meantime, keep calm and read on.