Jewish Community United Through Music, Food

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Kosher pizza was on the menu last night for students at a free party sponsored by the Jewish organization Chabad.

Students gathered in the East Halls Cultural Lounge for a “kosher party.” Featuring free kosher food and “Jewish reggae” music, the event was intended to reach out to students who have not yet had the chance to meet other Jewish kids on campus, Rabbi Nosson, director of Chabad, said.
The organization also sponsors a deli night and a barbecue dinner for new members, Nosson said.

Rebecca Entler (senior-energy, business and finance) said the events help bring Jewish students together.

“When you’re walking down the street, you don’t really know who’s Jewish and who’s not so this is a nice way for Jewish students to come together with others that they know share the same faith,” she said.

The kosher food at the party was a selling point for Entler, who said it is sometimes difficult to find kosher food on campus.

“There are no kosher commons at Penn State,” Entler said.
The pizza served at the party was considered kosher because of the way the cheese was taken from the cow and how it was baked in the oven, she said.

“Obviously the pizza can’t have pepperoni on it,” she said.

Matt Gorzsas (junior-economics) said he was lured to the event by the promise of free food.
“I was circling the commons, putting up posters for the off-roading club I’m trying to start and I saw signs for free pizza,” he said. “I was hungry.”
Gorzsas said he was intrigued by the fact that the pizza was kosher.

“I didn’t know how it would taste at first, but it’s just like regular pizza,” he said.

People chatted and listened to music by Matisyahu, which Josh Block (senior-elementary education) called “Jewish reggae.”

Block, who has been a member of the organization since he was a freshman, said that he was looking for any Jewish opportunities on campus when he found Chabad.

“They offered me a family and a place to celebrate my heritage,” he said.
Block said that through this event, Chabad hoped to encourage freshmen to become involved and be a part of the organization for the next four years.

“We’re just having a social event where Jews come out and eat kosher pizza,” Block said.