Campus Life

Students, community members to gather for 13th annual menorah lighting ceremony

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State students and community members will come together Sunday, Dec. 2 to celebrate the sixth night of Hanukkah in front of Old Main at 5 p.m. for Chabad of Penn State’s 13th annual public menorah lighting ceremony.

The 9-foot menorah will be lit on the Old Main patio by the president of Beta Sigma Beta as well as other Jewish presidents and representatives of student groups that support Jewish life on campus. This year’s menorah lighting is especially significant in light of the recent vandalism at the Beta Sigma Beta fraternity. 

"Having the presidents of Jewish fraternities come together to light the menorah signifies that our response to darkness is to add light," said Rabbi Nosson Meretsky, Chabad of Penn State co-director. "Our response to hatred is to come together as a community and to become even stronger. This year we have moved the lighting to Old Main to have the lighting be even more visible and out in the open especially for the students. Being the sixth night also allows us to honor more leaders with lighting the menorah." 

State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham will be in attendance to give welcoming remarks. The menorah lighting ceremony will be followed by a Hanukkah celebration with live music by the Pittsburgh Simcha Orchestra, hot latkes (potato pancakes), chocolate Hanukkah money, crafts for kids, free menorah kits (with menorahs and candles) and a raffle for a trip to Israel and $1,000.

Students, community members and children will participate and sing songs as the Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah.

"Hanukkah teaches us that every one of us can dispel the darkness with acts of goodness and kindness," Meretsky said. "This touching and beautiful ceremony is open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend."

For more information about the festival of Hanukkah, classes and other activities, please contact Rabbi Nosson Meretsky at 814-863-4929 or visit www.psujew.com/chanukah.

Last Updated December 9, 2013

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