LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE'S LIGHTING OF THE SHAMASH TO FEATURE LATKES AND LATTES

ANNVILLE, PA (11/14/2016)(readMedia)-- The Lebanon Valley College community will join with Congregation Beth Israel to commence the season of Hanukkah with a ceremony featuring the Lighting of the Shamash. The service, to be held in the Engle Family Lobby of the newly renovated Frederic K. Miller Chapel on the LVC campus, will begin at 11 a.m. The event will include refreshments traditional to the celebration, and is free and open to the public.

Rabbi Carl Choper, affiliate chaplain to the LVC Jewish Community, will explain the significance of the lighting of the Shamash. The service will include readings and community singing, and will conclude with potato latkes, jelly donuts, lattes, and an assortment of hot drinks. All refreshments are free of charge.

"Congregation Beth Israel has a long history of collaboration with the College on some very festive events," according to LVC's Chaplain Paul Fullmer, "including Rosh Chodesh, Sukkoth, and Purim. As in the past, we also welcome individuals of all faith traditions-Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist-to an event that promises to be informative and meaningful."

"The significance of the Shamash in Jewish tradition has some transformational applications to everyday life, yet many people in our area may never have experienced it," noted Rabbi Louis Zivic of Congregation Beth Israel, who is helping coordinate the event. "We look forward to sharing the tradition."

Pre-registration is appreciated, but not necessary; contact LVC's Office of Spiritual Life at 717-867-6135 or email nsmith@lvc.edu.

About Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College is a private, coeducational college founded in 1866 and dedicated to the liberal arts. The College offers 40 undergraduate majors plus self-designed majors and a range of minors, concentrations, and pre-professional options, as well as graduate degree programs in athletic training, business administration, music education, physical therapy, science in STEM education, and speech-language pathology.

The College has 1,608 full-time undergraduate students and 108 full-time faculty. Students can choose from more than 90 clubs and organizations, and 12 study abroad programs. LVC awards generous academic scholarships to those whose high school records demonstrate a commitment to challenge and achievement.