Penn State Chabad Rabbi Nosson Meretsky sent an email out to Jewish students last Friday.

“This has been a very crazy week here at Penn State, there are lots of emotions, there are lots of tears, questions, shock.  People are wondering, what now? Where do we go from here? Happy Valley has been turned upside down."

With Penn State in the throes of a scandal that erupted last week over allegations of child molestation by the school’s former assistant coach, and the failure of two Penn State officials to act on the allegations, students “need time to process,” and Shabbat, Meretsky wrote in his email, is as good a time as any to begin.

A much needed reprieve came again Sunday, November 13th, as the school’s Jewish student body celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Chabad of Penn State.

Alumni, students, parents and friends turned out to celebrate with Rabbi Nosson and Sarah at Chabad of the Plaza District in New York City, where most of the guests live.

Marvin and Sandra Kohll of Omaha, NE were honored with the Heart of Excellence award for their support of the Meretskys’ efforts.

Thomas and Heather Baumgarten of State College, PA were honored with the Community Pillar award. Part of the local community, they’ve been partnering with the Meretskys to increase and enhance Jewish life at Penn State and the State College community since their humble beginnings.   

Nicole (Nikki) Hetchcop who together with the Meretskys began the Jewish Heritage group on campus creating huge Jewish-themed parties at fraternities. was awarded with the young leadership award.  

Seven student leaders were honored at the dinner: Chabad Jewish student organization presidents, Maura Klonder and Bree Feibishkoff, past president, Jackie Kelly, board members Jason Cohen and Josh Frisch, as well as the new Jewish Heritage group chairs, Danielle Assour and Melisa Reizner.

In her remarks, Heather Baumgarten reflected sadly at the recent fall of some of Penn State’s pillars, but took comfort in the strength of the Meretskys as pillars who continue to enrich the experience of Jewish students with Torah study and Jewish values.  

In a conversation with lubavitch.com, Rabbi Meretsky said, “I have lived here now  for 10 years. Spanier and Jopa have  been a part of my life since I came here. In my experience with them, they always seemed deeply concerned for the well-being of this great University and of every student here.”

Mertesky said that he along with the students are struggling “to come to terms with the un-thinkable of what Sandusky is accused of and how it ripped through our University and our town so quickly and so fiercely.”

If there is a silver lining here, say the Meretskys, it has made students appreciate the opportunities for unity and for the healing, spiritual space of Shabbat, when they disconnect from the endless barrage of media reports, and are free to focus on the joy of sharing friendship and Torah at Penn State’s Chabad Shabbat table. 

Photos by Frank Wu