Chanukah Chagigah Draws Hundreds of Spirited Revelers

SOY Event a Success

On the evening of December 14^th, the second light of Chanukah, the Student Organization of Yeshiva (SOY) held its annual Chanukah chagigah in the main Beit Midrash. A joyous crowd, significantly larger than in years past, attended the celebration, which included live music, dancing, sufganiyot (traditional Hanukkah jelly donuts), and Dougie's wings.

The chagigah was preceded by the traditional "mussar schmooze," given by Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen, Mashgiach Ruchani of MTA. Held in Lamport auditorium, the rabbi exhorted the gathered crowd of hundreds of talmidim with his renowned fiery and inspirational messages. He stressed the holiness and sanctity of the Beit Midrash as the place where all the Yeshiva's events are held and the students gather. He implored the students to run to the Beit Midrash for its primary purpose, Torah study, with the same alacrity and zeal that they do for a celebration.

There had been some question concerning the venue of this year's chagigah, which is traditionally held in the Harry Fischel Beit Midrash. Yeshiva University's Department of Facilities Management objected to the use of the main Beit Midrash this year, since it had just undergone refurbishment including the installation of new carpet. However, the SOY administration, led by President Michael Gewirtz, was adamant about having the event in its conventional locale. They explained that the chagigah, which is a celebration of traditional Judaism's victory over forced assimilation, belongs in the yeshiva's center of Torah study. SOY prevailed, and the chagigah took place in the Beit Midrash.

Following the shiur, students began to fill the large, carpeted chamber. Neshoma Orchestra provided the live music while perspiring students sang and danced about. In the center of the numerous circles, various Rabbeim showcased their latest footwork as students looked on. A crowd-pleasing favorite was Shalom Zabib, the popular owner of Time Out Pizza, who came directly from his shop and danced energetically in his trademark red and white striped shirt. The celebration continued for more than three hours. It could be heard as far away as the sixth floor of the Morgenstern Residence Hall.

Yosef Levine, an SSSB Senior, gushed, "The celebration was extremely uplifting, and certainly contributed to the overall spirituality of the Yeshiva."

Despite a severe shortage of Dougie's wings, the evening was a great success. The large turnout and extensive participation pleased the SOY Board, and left many students looking forward to the Purim chagigah. "The chagigah was a wonderful expression of simcha shel mitzvah with the entire Yeshiva participating, said Gewirtz. "I hope that we can continue to hold events in our new Beis Medrash, adding to the unity and achdus of the Yeshiva."