Jewish students celebrate

The Chabad Jewish Student Organization and Chabad on Campus at Penn State gathered in front of the Allen Street Gates yesterday in celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

The group members created shofars and invited those passing by to join. One of the most important symbols of Rosh Hashanah, the shofar, is a hollowed-out ram’s horn. It is blown to call the people to repent.

“When people see us making them, they’re reminded of the holiday,” Rabbi Nosson Meretsky, director of Chabad of Penn State, said. “It’s a fun activity.”

The holiday of Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on Friday and ends at nightfall on Sunday. It is the start of the High Holidays, a 10-day period of reflection and atonement, Meretsky said.

It is also a time to reflect on the past year and plan changes for the upcoming year.

Orly Halpern (senior-Jewish studies and comparative literature) said in some ways Rosh Hashanah is similar to the secular New Year.

“You make resolutions for the New Year and think about the kind of person you should be,” Halpern said. “It’s a happy holiday because it’s the start of a new year.”

Halpern said she thinks it is important for the event to take place at a central location such as the Allen Street Gates.

“It shows that Chabad is here and doing things for the community,” Halpern said. “It’s a good way to attract other Jews walking by and get them involved.”

Scott Polsky (senior-psychology) said he thinks the event is significant because it educates Jewish people about their culture.

“They can see what’s going on here and ask questions,” Polsky said. “It’s important to gain knowledge of your history and your religion.”

Melissa Melnick (junior-crime, lawand justice) visited the event for the first time today after receiving an e-mail from Chabad.

“There’s a lot of representation for other religions,” Melnick said. “It’s important for Jewish people to have something like that, too.”

Melnick said she was happy to have her own shofar.

“I wanted one for my Bat Mitzvah, but nobody got one for me,” Melnick said. “And it’s exciting to have a part in the whole process of making it.”

A toy drive also took place at the event, sponsored by Hadassah of State College, Brit Shalom, Penn State Hillel and Chabad of Penn State along with other community groups. The toys will go to Israeli children affected by the recent bombings.

“They’re still trying to get back to a normal life,” Nosson said. “We’re thinking of them.”

Chabad of Penn State will hold services on Rosh Hashanah as well as Yom Kippur in the Garden Room of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.