 "Photo:")
Knightro, UCF's beloved mascot, was lifted high in a chair as hundreds of students danced the Horah at the Fairwinds Alumni Center on Saturday
The Fairwinds Ballroom was decorated top to bottom with black and gold balloons for the Bar Mitzvah: A Cultural Celebration Experience at UCF. Red Brick Pizza seemed to have no problem catering to more than 300 people who attended in semi-formal attire, and master of ceremonies Julian Edelschick carried the evening while the disc jockey spun the vinyl that kept the dance floor moving.
Advertising and public relations major Frannie Marmorstein helped to transform the ballroom with the help of Central Florida Hillel staff hours before the party began at 8 p.m.
"This is a cultural awareness event that is going to celebrate Hillel and Sababa as well as the successes of our fellow organizations on campus," Marmorstein said.
The event was sponsored and organized by the Student Government Association, Sababa and Hillel at UCF, with SGA funding roughly $5,000 toward the night's expenses.
By 9 p.m. the ballroom was filled. After breaking bread, Benji Rabhan, president of Hillel at UCF, and Sababa President Max Friedman were on hand to kick off the evening.
"We wanted this event to be as close to a real bar mitzvah as possible," Rabhan said. "This is an experience for every Jew and non-Jew alike. Thanks to SGA, we have the resources to do that."
The candle-lighting ceremony, traditional to the bar mitzvah, was the heart of the event.
Rabhan read lyrical poetry at the lighting of every candle, which were dedicated to the clubs and organizations that made the night possible.
SGA President Brandie Hollinger made an appearance to light the 11th candle for SGA as well as to absorb the atmosphere and the bar mitzvah experience.
"This reaches out to a lot of students," Hollinger said, "and shares the culture with other students."
The ladies of Alpha Epsilon Phi crowded the dance floor to light the ninth candle, providing the largest group picture of the night. Psychology major Liz Krudo and political science major Tracy Wilk said they were glad to show their support.
"We have a lot of sisters on the executive board, and we wanted to come out and support them because we are so proud," Krudo said.
"This is a great opportunity for numerous organizations to get together and celebrate the pride we have for being Jewish," Wilk added.
Knightro was last, but certainly not least, as he lit the 13th candle. The UCF mascot was the unofficial guest of honor as all in attendance pushed themselves to the walls to part the way for his grand entrance. Knightro declined to comment for this story; though, his animation and excitement throughout the evening said it all.
Other organizations and clubs, such as NORML, the Asian Pacific American Coalition, the Catholic Campus Ministry, the Chocolate Club, Volunteer UCF and Central Florida Hillel, all had candles.
Treasurer Emeritus of Central Florida Hillel Bert Brown lit the second candle.
"The atmosphere, the decorations, seeing all these students here is amazing," Brown said.
The evening ended with dancing and games. By 10:30 p.m. neckties were loosened and high heels were off as dozens split the dance floor for a spirited game of Coke and Pepsi, in which one side representing one of the soft-drinks kneels on one leg while the other rushes to sit on their knees. Like musical chairs, anyone who can't find a knee to sit on is out.
UCF alumna and former president of Hillel at UCF Amy Schwartz is credited by her friends for proposing the bar mitzvah idea after seeing a less successful attempt by another university. She was happy to see the vision come to life for UCF.
"It's amazing," Scwartz said.
Be the first to comment on this article!