What are holiday observances and celebrations like at Penn State?

Penn State Hillel runs a full program of services and meals for the High Holidays, Passover, and other festivals and holidays. During Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, services are held at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. During Passover, there is a Seder on the first night. Other holidays are celebrated with programs, services, and dinners depending on where they fall during the academic calendar.

Every Friday night students come together in the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center for a student-led pluralistic Shabbat service followed by a Kosher-style dinner. Students often come up with unique themes for services while still enjoying the traditional spirit of Shabbat. While some students come to both services and meals, others may attend only services or only to enjoy Shabbat meal.

Friday night in the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center is not the only way our students can enjoy Shabbat. Through JewPAC (The Jewish Programming Allocation Committee) our microgrant program we help fund and support students to create their own Shabbat experience.