‘A community in pain.’ Hundreds gather at Penn State for moment of prayer for Israel
Sarah Strent, president of Chabad at Penn State, stood in front of the hundreds of people gathered on Old Main lawn Tuesday night and spoke about the pain they’ve all shared over the past few days.
“The Jewish people, my people, our people are at war,” she said.
About 300 people gathered to pray and show support for the people of Israel following the attacks by Hamas on Saturday. The resulting conflict has left more than 1,000 Israelis and 870 Palestinians dead, according to NBC News. Tuesday night’s event was a collaboration between Penn State and the State College borough.
Strent said the events from the weekend sent a shock wave through the Jewish community, but the outpouring of support by the State College community made her hopeful.
“We do more mitzvah, hanging mezuzahs and attending Shabbat dinners, educate our peers in a respectful way and continue to be a strong Jewish community and show the world that we will never be stopped,” she said. “We will find light in the darkness, light will prevail.”
The 40-minute event included several speeches, prayers for Israel and the singing of the Israeli national anthem. Speakers included Penn State’s Executive Vice President and Provost Justin Schwartz, State College Mayor Ezra Nanes and Rabbis from Jewish campus organizations Chabad and Hillel. During the event, Schwartz spoke about the pain felt by the Jewish community in Israel and worldwide.
“We are, yet again, a community in pain...” Schwartz said. “Often it is the innocent civilians, the youngest and the oldest, who pay the heaviest price. Tonight we gather to remember their loss, to pray for those taken, and to show our mutual support for each other and for all communities who have been impacted by that as we grieve.”
Throughout the night, speakers encouraged members of the Jewish community to stay strong in their faith and their community. Rabbi Hersey Gourarie urged those in the crowd to continue to take pride in their faith.
“Never in our history has hiding our Jewish pride accomplished anything,” Gourarie said. “This is a time for more light, more love, more mitzvahs, more Torah and together we will win against this darkness.”
On Monday, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi wrote a letter to the community about the violence that has directly affected members of the Penn State community.
“We have students, faculty and staff who call Israel and Gaza home, and we have already been in touch with them directly to offer support,” she wrote. “We know others have families who live there and still many more identify with the region in some way or another — ethnically, culturally or religiously. We grieve with you over this unspeakable tragedy and offer our support to those within the Penn State community who are being impacted by these events.”
The letter listed several services available for the Penn State community:
Counseling and Psychological Services: studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling or call 814-863-0395 at University Park, or visit Commonwealth Campus location for campuses.
Student Care and Advocacy supports students in crisis : studentaffairs.psu.edu/studentcare, 814-863-2020 or StudentCare@psu.edu.
The Center for Ethical and Spiritual Development: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/spiritual
Penn State Global: global.psu.edu/category/international-students
For University Park student organizations that can offer support and resources, visit orgcentral.psu.edu/organizations. For campuses, visit Student Life online at each campus or visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/get-involved/student-organizations to browse by campus.
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