Sukkot Holiday celebrated with dance

[Ian David]

Locals dance on Allen Street in an event sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Student Center of Penn State in celebration of the holiday of Sukkot.
By Erin Rowley Email
Collegian Staff Writer

Traditional Jewish music blasted from speakers as about 25 Hasidic Jews danced in the street Thursday night.

The dancers closed off the section of Allen Street between the State College Municipal Building and Barack Obama campaign headquarters to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, which commemorates the time the Jewish people spent wandering the desert after being exiled from Egypt through celebrations and the building of a hut called a "sukkah." The holiday started last week and will continue until sundown Monday.

The event was sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Student Center of Penn State. The Center has held other events to celebrate Sukkot, including "pizza in the hut" and "hookah in the hut," but this was the first year for the outdoor dance party, said Chabad Director Rabbi Nosson Meretsky. He said he hopes to make next year's event more expansive, with popcorn, cotton candy and more of a carnival atmosphere.

As soon as the live music began, about eight rabbis wearing traditional Hasidic clothes, including long black jackets and black hats, joined hands and danced in circles in the street.

More:
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2008/10/17/holiday_celebrated_with_dance.aspx