Jewish groups sponsor 'Chai Day'

Lured by the chance to "get Chai", more than 50 University students gathered at information booths on Locust Walk yesterday hoping to learn more about the Hillel Foundation and other Jewish groups on campus. The first ever Chai Day, which was highlighted by music, food and an Israeli folk dance presentation, was intended to highlight the opportunities available to Jewish students at the University. "Every aspect of Jewish life at Penn [was] represented on the Walk," said Hillel representative and College sophomore Meyer Potashman. "Hillel wants to increase awareness on campus of [its] various activities and organizations." The groups represented yesterday ranged from the Conservative and Orthodox Jewish communities to Teatron Jewish theater. In addition, the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity ran a booth which offered free Tay-Sachs testing for interested students. Other popular booths included information about the Outdoor Club and travel and study abroad opportunities in Israel, according to Jewish Campus Services Corp. fellow Arianna Koransky. "We're very excited about the chance to present the many great organizations we have here at Penn and the response we're getting to these groups," she said. On the whole, the groups were very enthusiastic about the event and the opportunity to advertise their organizations. College junior Barry Goldman, a representative of the Jewish Learning Program, hung a two-sided large yellow sign from his neck reading "Roots, Aren't you curious?" Roots is a program dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge about Judaism. "I just want to get people aware of the program and I thought this would help," Goldman said. But others were not as quick to evaluate the event as a complete success. College sophomore Bethany Rubin, a representative of the Hillel TV program, said the day had been "kind of slow." Those students who attended the event said they wanted to play a greater role in the Jewish community at the University by learning more about the various organizations. College freshman Jared Fishman, who visited the booth for the Jewish Social Action Committee, said he was interested in community service opportunities. And Wharton junior Stan Gorodetsky signed up at the Orthodox Community at Penn booth. "Being Jewish, it is important for me to become a part of the surrounding Jewish life," he said.