Shabbat

I personally love ending my weeks at Penn State Hillel and this past week was no different. After being crazed running from classes to meetings and snacking in between, it is very nice to relax for three hours with all of my friends. At 630, students begin to gather in the lobby, schmoozing and greeting each other, inquiring about the past week and wondering what's for dinner. Introductions begin a bit later. We all wonder down the hall to light the candles and hear how Shabbat at Penn State Hillel works--there are two different services (sometimes an alternative Shabbat discussion makes a third service option) and we all come back together for a communal meal. The attendees break into the two services and welcome in the Sabbath together. I attend the Reform service. I love the community that we create when we introduce ourselves and say a fun fact like the title of our favorite movie. Our chairs are arranged in a circle, making everyone feel included. The prayers are mostly song using "camp versions," tunes I'm familiar with from going to Hebrew School and Jewish summer camp. However, as our leaders announce every week, the tunes are sung in such a way that na-nas or la-las can be substituted for the words. It is our intention, our kavanah, in addition to the actual words that make up a prayer. Students dance and clap along, adding in their own phrases or motions, making the songs personal. This past week we were even privileged with an interpretive dance from a younger participant during the opening tunes :) After we pray, both services and a number of students who join us just for the meal gather in the dining room to bless the wine and the challah before we eat the main course. The dining hall was packed with over 110 students chattering and anxiously waiting the delicious-smelling dinner. New friends were discussing why they came to Hillel and old friends were making plans for the weekend. It is such and amazing way to end the week and I encourage you all to experience it for yourself this Shabbat! Have a wonderful week--Shavuah Tov!!