Students and faculty turned out last Tuesday to help usher in the third night of Chanukah at the inaugural public menorah-lighting sponsored by Chabad of Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J.
The lighting and festivities came just days after a student discovered a swastika and anti-Semitic wording carved into several doors at the Chestnut Hall dormitory, home to freshmen and sophomore students there. Police are investigating the incident.
An email admonishing the discovery was sent out by the administration to the student body, which numbers about 12,000.
Given the timing, Rabbi Hersh and Fraida Loschak, co-directors of Chabad at Rowan—also known as the Rohr Family Jewish Student Center—say their event suddenly took on added significance, when it started out very simply.
“We asked for permission to have a menorah-lighting on campus, and about a month ago we got the go-ahead,” explains the rabbi. “We scheduled the lighting for the third night, contacted the Hillel on campus and made a big deal about it. We even got the dean to agree to come and light the menorah.
“Then this happened,” he says. "And we decided to respond to it by issuing a call that people should come to the menorah-lighting as a sign of solidarity.”
Second First: Women’s Event
The act of vandalism was widely reported locally, the school being situated near other Jewish populations and only 30 miles from Philadelphia. Some press stationed themselves at the menorah-lighting as a follow-up to their earlier coverage.
Between 50 and 75 people came out—some directly and others who happened to pass by—on a chilly evening with final exams looming. Dean of students Richard Jones ignited the shamash, the utility candle used to light the other candles on the menorah.
The mood was festive and lively, according to the rabbi, with doughnuts, latkes and chocolate gelt coins on hand. Dreidels were available for anyone who wanted to try their luck at the Jewish game of chance. There was plenty of music, and the school mascot, “The Prof,” made an appearance.
The Loschaks say they are confident that the Jewish community at Rowan has the support of both the school administration and local law enforcement.
“The administration is very accepting of everything we do,” notes the rabbi. “We bring in kosher food all the time, and they have been extremely welcoming. I am always on campus and obviously look Jewish, and I have never heard anyone say anything” derogatory.
The campus menorah-lighting wasn’t the only new program the Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries offered this Chanukah. Fraida Loschak held a women’s program, complete with doughnut-decorating, latke-making and Chanukah-card crafting.
“I wanted an event to help create a community with the girls so they feel comfortable with each other and don’t feel like they are the only Jewish women on campus,” explains Loschak. “Most of those who came didn’t know each other. It was really random. In the beginning, they were just moving around doing activities, but as they grew more comfortable with each other, they just started talking and laughing. It worked out well.”
For Chanukah information—including locating public menorah-lightings—inspiration, recipes, events for the whole family and more, visit the Chabad.org Chanukah 2015 page here.
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