Jewish Gators Jive for Holiday

Eli Oppenheimer celebrated the most recent High Holiday by busting a move. A fourth-year University of Florida dental student, Oppenheimer was among UF students who danced until 2 a.m. Tuesday at Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student and Community Center to celebrate Simchat Torah, the end of the High Holy Days period.

“This place was, as they say in America, rocking,” said Berl Goldman, rabbi and director of the center. “Rocking with spiritual joy.”

About 250 people came in and out Monday evening for prayer and dancing with the Torah. They met again Tuesday afternoon to dance.

Service was in the traditional synagogue setting, which separates male and female seating. Men and women also danced separately.

Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student and Community Center hosted services and dances throughout the holiday from Sunday to Tuesday. It celebrated Shmini Atzeret, the day of rest between two bigger holidays, and Simchat Torah, the completion of public Torah readings.

Funding events for the entire High Holy Days period, starting with Rosh Hashanah, cost the center about $60,000, Goldman said.

Oppenheimer, 26, was the first student to show up for Tuesday’s daytime dance.

“Every year I’ve been here, it’s very festive,” he said. “Everyone’s always involved.”

The Gainesville center opened 13 years ago and celebrates the holiday every year. Construction is underway for a new center, which Goldman said will be finished by summer or fall of 2013.

“Every company has their motto or tagline. Ours is ‘It’s a home away from home for the students,’” Goldman said. “It’s great to be a Jewish Gator.”