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Just before most students went out for the weekend, roughly 10 colored balloons sparsely decorated the Atchafalaya room of the Union as about 30 students gathered Friday night to eat and pray. The Union hosted Hillel's largest Shabbat dinner, the Jewish ceremony that begins the day of rest. "This is the biggest event I've been to," said Ann Jacobson, undecided freshman. The Shabbat dinner is held weekly in various locations by Hillel, the largest national Jewish campus organization. Jeffrey Lahasky, international trade and finance senior, said the dinner "is a time to rest and relax from the hectic week." Elka Smith, English senior and Hillel president, said members sometimes go to other Shabbat dinners or host smaller dinners at the Union. As part of the agreement with student organizations, Hillel may reserve a room in the Union for free but must pay for Union catering. Smith said Hillel payed for the event through sponsorship from the Greater Baton Rouge Jewish Community. Smith also said everyone is welcome at the events. At Friday's Shabbat dinner, some people came with Jewish friends to fulfill a requirement for a Judaism class while others came to join with friends. Aharon Varady, an urban planner in Baton Rouge who completed his graduate work at the University, went to the dinner because "the synagogues in Baton Rouge are more family oriented." He said he wanted "a more vibrant experience." The event included a performance by comedian Michael "Ziggy" Danziger, who even had the Union catering staff laughing. "He gets better every time you hear him," Jacobson said. During some of the service's songs, some members broke into dance, and a Beatles song was recited for words to meditate. Hillel strives for a more open environment at their events to incorporate the different sects of Judaism represented by their members. "We try to make people feel more comfortable," Smith said.
----- Contact Rachael Moreau at rmoreau@lsureveille.com
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