Last night the fourth annual lighting of the menorah took place in front of the State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St., marking the first night of Hanukkah.

"I think it's stuff like this that really ties the community together," Dan Bloom (sophomore-secondary education) said.

About 100 people gathered on the first night of Hanukkah to see the first candle lit. The ceremony was hosted and organized by Nosson Meretsky, director of Chabad of Penn State.

"It's good for the community because it unifies the Jewish population in the State College Area," Lauren Dauer (freshman-communications) said.

Because most students are unable to celebrate Hanukkah with their families, an event such as this provides a way for students to connect to the community and celebrate.

"It's a great way for people to get together," Steven Allen (sophomore-biology) said. "...Because I'm not going home for Hanukkah -- it's special to celebrate it with friends."

Ben Tartell (sophomore-secondary education) was also glad to have a chance to celebrate Hannukah away from home.

"It's really neat -- it's a way to stay connected to my family since I won't be home for Chanukah," he said.

Mayor Bill Welch was also in attendance. "One of the reasons we designed the plaza in front of city hall was to host events such as these," Welch said. "The promise of good Jewish food can also bring in a good crowd."

Tuvia Abramson, executive director for Hillel: Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, was also involved in the ceremony. "This is very positive," he said. "Lighting the menorah is like lighting the celebration of freedom."

Arriving early to set up the nine-foot menorah was volunteer Yehuda Wenger, a student from the Wilkes-Barre area.

As the ceremony took place, the shamash, the candle used to light the menorah, was lit by Mark Tygel and passed to Meretsky, who then lit the menorah. "It's very important for people to see the Jewish community together like this," Meretsky said.