Hundreds Attend SOY Channukah Chagigah

On the evening of December 9th, the fourth light of Chanukah, the Student Organization of Yeshiva (SOY) held its annual Chanukah Chagigah in the Main Beit Medrash. The joyous crowd that escalated to over 500 was treated to live music by the Neshoma Orchestra, dancing, and of course, jelly doughnuts.

Traditionally, the chagigah is preceded by a special shiur in the Lamport Auditorium. The shiur was given by Rav Aharon Kahn, whose riveting style was greatly anticipated by all who attended.

Following the shiur, students began to fill the large expanse that had been cleared in the Beit Medrash. The Orchestra whipped into a frenzy of celebratory tunes as hundreds of students gathered in circles to sing and dance. Men from all Jewish Studies programs joined together and displayed their fancy (and clumsy) footwork, prancing about the room. In the center of the numerous circles, various rabbeim excitedly added to the fervor and happiness that filled the air. At one point, a Red Sea style split was made in the crowd, to form a path for Rabbi Lamm, as he entered the room to lock hands with rabbeim and students and dance the night away.

Other rabbeim in attendance included Rabbi Meir Goldwicht, Rabbi Yosef Blau, Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen, Rabbi Boruch Simon, Rabbi Yehuda Parnes and Rabbi Harari. Even Rabbi Boruch Mendelson of MTA, encouraged his talmidim to celebrate Chanukah in a Yeshiva style. The energetic and oft sweaty dancing continued for several hours, as the ceaseless flow of students flooded the doorways and many retreated to room 002 for a feast of junk food sponsored by SOY. Many students stood by and cheered during a "Hora" by Coordinator of Student Services, Andrew Leibowitz, together with SOY President, Aton Holzer, Commentator Editor-In-Chief Alex Traiman, Sephardic Club President Salim Baghdadi and BMP President Scott Nadel, and other student leaders who took time out of their busy schedules to perspire amongst the natives.

The enthusiastic revelers could not close the festivities without the standard rendition of Yeshiva’s traditional "Tzavei Yeshuos Yaacov," a favorite of Rav Dovid Lifshitz, ZT’L. The entire student populace present formed one united circle as Rabbis Goldwicht and Charlop escalated into a spirited frenzy to conclude the evening’s energetic display of student unity and simchas hachag.

Binyamin Mayefsky, a YC senior, gushed, "The celebration was highly enjoyable, and really added to the overall spirituality of our Yeshiva."

Despite a severe shortage of ice cubes, the evening was a great success. The large turnout and extensive participation greatly pleased SOY President Aton Holzer, and left many students looking forward to the Purim Chagigah. "Thanks to the Students, Rabbeim, Student Services and Facilities Management, as well as the efforts of my Vice President, Aryeh Morris, this Chanukah Chagigah has proven to be one of the most successful, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in recent memory" said Holzer.