Pumpkin Painting and LDSSA

Monday night, Penn State Hillel hosted a Pumpkin Painting event. In the spirit of Halloween, we decorated pumpkins that would later be donated to the local preschool. Themes of pumpkins ranged from Penn State Spirit, to traditional jack-o-lanterns, to a very cool pumpkin couple with sunglasses and all! The event was very relaxed, we played ping-pong games while waiting for the paint to dry :)

I, however, was not there for most of this event. I was off at a LDSSA meeting (Latter Day Saints Student Association). Members of LDSSA had contacted our Director of Development Lizzy, for a few students who would be able to present to LDSSA students about the Jewish faith and what Hillel does on campus. I along with Ryan, another student board member, were chosen to go. We had a Penn State Hillel presentation and a Judaism in America presentation--both with general facts about Judaism in the United States and here at Penn State.

At the church, there were about 15 or so LDSSA members, so the setting was pretty informal. Ryan and I started our presentation and were quickly asked some very interesting questions. "What is the Jewish take on the after life?" "What is the relationship between prophets and G-d?" "What is Taglit-Birthright like?" "How do you deal with being a minority religion in the United States?" These questions were very interesting and showed their curiosity in the connection between Mormonism and Judaism. The questions about prophecy relate to the idea that Mormons believe in modern day prophets--the president of the Church is the current prophet. The afterlife questions reflect the Mormon belief in the afterlife in addition to the previous and current life.

I had a really enjoyable time explaining my religion--sharing what I had learned in my Jewish studies classes and my personal experiences growing up Jewish in America. We talked about the different sects of Judaism, how to become a rabbi, the transition from prophetic to rabbinic Judaism, prophecy, issues in modern day Israel and what Hillel does around campus. Not only did I feel like the LDSSA students learned a lot, but I learned a lot about a religion I had never really learned about. It was a great experience!

Alternative Shabbat

Hello Everyone,

Between three tests, a paper in Hebrew and a day long trip to Gettysburg, it has been one very crazy week. One of the good parts about this week (besides doing pretty well on my exams) was the first Alternative Shabbat Discussion. A few people on the student board (myself included) have been trying to find ways to provide Jewish students on campus with opportunities to have meaningful Jewish experiences. One thing we have noticed is that not everyone seems to connect or participate during Shabbat services. Maybe some people like going to services and hearing everyone else pray. But we thought it would be good to offer those who do not connect to Judaism through prayer the opportunity to do so on a Friday night.

A few students along with the Director of Engagement worked to plan a "what does it mean to be Jewish" discussion. We had created a sort of bingo board and participants marked off the top three activities that connected them with Judaism. Some of the topics were "cooking Shabbat dinner," "eating Chinese food on Christmas," "wearing Jewish jewelry," "supporting Israel," "belonging to a Jewish organization (Hillel, youth group, camp)," and "being outdoors." We each went around and shared what we connected with--what we most associated with our Judaism. For someone it was "participating in Passover Seder," "fasting on Yom Kippur," and "eating Chinese food on Christmas." All food related but each related to very different holidays with very different meanings.

Discussion ranged from talking about what topics were missing from the sheet to "can you be Jewish while being agnostic?" I thought that the discussion and the experience was amazing--people came to this service who came specifically for this discussion! We had students who usually attended other services join us and talk about what Judaism meant to them and how they express their Judaism. One topic I thought was interesting was when we were talking about what topics we didn't think belonged. Someone mentioned that they couldn't see how "being outdoors" related to Judaism. This caused one of my friends to explain the experience of Shabbat on Chapel on the Hill at Jewish summer camp and someone else to describe what it is like to hike Mt. Masada in Israel to see the sunrise. Those are very much Jewish experiences--but unless you went to Israel or Jewish summer camp, you might not have had them. This discussion gave everyone the opportunity to connect to Judaism in a new way, but also to learn about how others connect to Judaism. I thought it was very meaningful and cannot wait for the next one!!

Torah and Science

Dr. Steven Feldman, meteorology professor at Penn State and member of the Jewish community in State College, spoke to six students Monday night on the connection between science and Judaism. Being a biochemistry and Jewish studies double major, this topic was of great interest to me. What is, if there is any, connection between science and religion? Can the two go hand in hand? In the talk, Dr. Feldman brought up the point that the Jewish belief on creation is the one that most mimics what scientists believe actually happened--the order of the animals created during the first 6 days of creation match the order of evolution, suggesting a connection between science and Judaism. Other creation stories of the time, like the Mesopotamian story where Marduk cut his grandmother, another god into pieces and those pieces became the different part of the world for more information, click here. This culture's creation story reflects nothing that could be explained by science. Dr. Feldman also went into an explanation about how the complexity of science can lead to a greater belief in G-d, how there has to be a Creator who could have made everything the way that it is.

The one point that I questioned was when Dr. Feldman explained that either everything had to be created by G-d or that nothing was created by G-d, but by randomness. And I wonder whether there can be somethings that G-d created and somethings created by randomness, or human decisions. I personally think that G-d created the world and humans and stopped there. Humans have the ability to master sin, to decide whether to follow the inclination to do evil or the inclination to do good. We have the ability to make our own decisions; life is not predetermined. But what do you think? Comment on this post to share your opinions on the relationship between Torah and science, the connection between G-d and randomness.

Rain Rain Go Away

It could not have rained more yesterday, but that did not deter PSH students from coming to the Pasquerilla center to decorate cookies and celebrate Sukkot. Rather than working outside near the sukkah, we were inside looking out at the lit up sukkah through the windows and the rain.

This past Shabbat we celebrated Israeli style--dinner was falafel, shwarma, Israeli salad, grilled veggies, pita, and humus. I was lucky enough to have my grandmother and my aunt come up and visit me for the weekend and they greatly enjoyed coming to Hillel for Shabbat.

Also happening at Hillel:

The Peer-Network Engagement Internship, or PNEI, is a national Hillel initiative implemented at 30 college campuses across the country that is designed to dramatically enhance Jewish life on campus using peer-to-peer engagement. Each campus hires 3-5 student interns who have demonstrated leadership qualities in diverse areas of campus life. They are charged with building meaningful relationships with 40-50 uninvolved students and connecting them to Jewish life in a way that is relevant and meaningful for them. This involves implementing new initiative that are relevant and sustainable. Our five interns this year are: Erica Lisses, Jackie Ligorski, Matt Jacobs, Ari Hiller, and Josh Neuman.

The Facing Change Network is a brand new initiative that is being piloted at 8 campuses (Penn State being one of them!). The goal is to bring together students and communities using collective dialogue to ultimately create social change on campus. Using the same peer-to-peer engagement methodology as PNEI, Facing Change Interns will build relationships and create initiatives in order to accomplish their goals. The FCN interns are: Celia Ligorski, Ian Weissman, Rachel Miller, and Lexi Robins.

Yom Kippur and Sukkot

Such a busy week! In addition to the holidays this past weekend, I've had three tests to study for. I think they all went well, but the excessive amounts of studying have prevented me from blogging this past week--sorry for my absence!

Here's what's been happening. The days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur were slightly more relaxed than the days just before the holidays. There was no home cooked dinner for the Shabbat after Rosh HaShana. We served pizza for dinner--a much simpler meal.

Kol Nidre services Friday night were led once again by Jeremy Wiseblatt who stayed with us through the conclusion of the holidays. Ilana Bucholtz, Vice President of the Penn State Hillel student board beautifully sang the Kol Nidre prayer, which asks G-d to absolve us of the vows we made during this past year.

On Saturday, the sanctuary was not quite as crowded as it was on Rosh HaShana. Not only did students go home to celebrate with their families, some went to the football game to cheer on Penn State in its victory against Kent State. I went to services and spent the rest of the afternoon napping (which was very much needed, although I probably could have read over my science notes a few more time). The evening services were lovely, with the memorial service and the concluding service leading into the sounding of the Shofar, the final blast played by Penn State Hillel Religious Co-Chair Matty Golub. After services, students enjoyed a delicious break the fast meal, generously donated by Irving's Cafe. Thank you Irving's!!!

With the High Holidays over, and my tests having been taken, it feels like time to relax, but Sukkot is right around the corner!! Tuesday the Hillel Staff and a few students took time to put together a temporary hut outside of the Pasquerilla Center in honor of the holiday of Sukkot (see picture above where Matty, Aaron and Adam are hanging the bamboo sides on the sukkah frame). Here is a link to the story written about us in the Daily Collegian: Click Here

Monday we will celebrate Sukkot with our Sweets in the Sukkah program (cookie decorating and Havadallah candle making).

Also upcoming, Tikkun Olam, the community service organization is participating a few community service projects in the next few weeks. Next Sunday, September 26, Centre County PAWS is hosting a Pet Extravaganza on from 11 a.m.– 4p.m. Interact with dogs and cats, help grill and serve food, help with trash removal, direct people and hand out papers, etc. More at: http://centrecountypaws.org/extravaganza/ October 7th from a.m.-4 p.m. (you can stop by for as long as you're available), we'll be at Centre Region Senior Center @ 131 S. Fraser St., Suite 1, to do some painting for their entry way, meeting room, exercise room, lunch/activity room.

Please e-mail Ilana ASAP at imb119@psu.edu if interested! Check out their facebook page for more updates on upcoming programs: Click Here

Rosh HaShana 5771

Penn State Hillel was very busy this week preparing for Rosh HaShana. We spent all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday cooking for our Erev Rosh HaShana dinner. Our fabulous chef Marissa (along with her many wonderful kitchen assistants) prepared a menu of: honey mustard chicken, apricot chicken, grilled veggies, pomegranate salad, rice pilaf, couscous, cookies, cake, apple pie, and apples and honey of course!

Wednesday night services were short and simple, but the room was packed with Penn State students looking to bring in the New Year. About 275 students joined us for dinner Wednesday night. On Thursday, services were led by Rabbinical student and Penn State alum Jeremy Wiseblatt. While Jeremy led, students coordinated. I had the honor of reading a Torah portion, and what I thought was the longest haftorah ever. Other students read Torah, participated in Hagbah and G'lilah (lifting and dressing the Torah) and some students lead the congregation in prayer.

I was not able to attend services on Friday because I had classes to attend, but I have heard that services were just as lovely on Friday as they were on Thursday. We concluded the week with a comfortable Shabbat service completely led by students with a delicious pizza dinner afterwords. My favorite part of the night would have to be the bentching after the meal though. I love singing the songs and banging on the tables and having a really fun time celebrating Shabbat. Saturday, I relaxed and watched Penn State lose horribly to the Alabama Crimson Tide :( While today I had my first day of Hebrew School. It's been a very Jewish week for me, but it's been a lot of fun.

I wish you all a happy and sweet new year filled with prosperity, health and joy. From all of us at Penn State Hillel, Shana Tova U'Metuka!

This weekend has been quite busy. With the end of the second week of classes, work has started to pile up. Not only do I have the first few tests of the semester within the next two weeks, but the High Holy Days are right around the corner! Friday night, however, was very relaxing. Shabbat was a little smaller than last week (we all fit in one room for dinner), although we did open up the reform service room to the worship hall, which made it much more comfortable. Dinner was delicious as usual and it was wonderful to see many of our recently graduated alumni come back and visit us! We've missed you guys and hope you are all doing well!!

Saturday was the beginning of football season. And while we all knew that Penn State was going to decimate the Youngstown State Penguins, it was a ton of fun to sit in the student section and cheer for all of the touchdowns! Saturday night, I just hung out with friends, and turned in early because I had to wake up early to get brunch and get ready to hike Mt. Nittany.

We met at the library to take a bus to the starting point. There were about 30 of us hiking, and just as we got off the bus, someone asked "are we there yet?" Haha. Very funny. The first leg of our journey was very vertical, and in my opinion, we were moving very quickly. With the huffing and puffing and burning calves aside, we made it to a lookout where there was a gorgeous scenic view overlooking State College. We stopped to take pictures and then continued on our journey to another overlook where we could see University Park. While we couldn't pick out which individual buildings were our dormitories, we were able to spot some landmarks like the BJC and Beaver Stadium. We paused for a group picture and some reflection time where we each went around and said what we were looking forward to in this upcoming school and Jewish year. Having reflected, we set off back down the mountain and back to the bus to take us home again. My friends and I decided that a hike up Mt. Nittany should be rewarded with some Creamery ice cream, so we indulged in some Death by Chocolate. Well, now I can say that I've climbed Mt. Nittany and there's one less thing for me to do before I graduate :) Enjoy the long weekend!!