| Bnei Partay? |
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| Written by Johannah Lebow | |||||
| Monday, 01 May 2006 | |||||
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The Jewish Party Scene on Campus Another seemingly typical Friday night party on Penn's campus: sweaty bodies, booze, people shouting to be heard. The first difference; the shouting is not because of the blaring music. In fact, there's no music at all. This is a party hosted by a group of Orthodox boys, and it bears little resemblance to the raucous frat parties that make Penn (in)famous. Another difference is the women at this party. They are more clothed than their secular counterparts. Most have come directly from Shabbat meals still in their shul finery. Though they don’t show off cleavage, they flaunt their hair, freshly straightened for the Sabbath. And dancing? It's different, too. Mixed dancing (between men and women) is strictly prohibited. The only kind of dancing that occurs in the Orthodox community is the separate kind, saved for occasions like Purim, Simchat Torah, or the next engagement party. But no music and no dancing does not a boring party make. Jus ask anyone who's had dinner at Chabad and been the beneficiary of the free-flowing l'chaims. With each celebratory cheer, another drink of wine, a form of celebration that all but perpetuates itself. The more there is to celebrate, the more you drink, and the more it seems, there is to celebrate. So what is a girl who doesn’t even identify as Orthodox doing at an Orthodox party (and we’re not talking Greek Orthodox)? I may get made fun of by my gentile friends for "doing the Jew thing" on a Friday night but people get just as loud, and just as drunk at a Shabbat dinner as they do at any Greek-sponsored event. And there are definite advantages to partying with boys who feel religiously obligated to keep their hands to themselves. I’m not saying that I have been molested at every frat party I’ve been to, but I’ve seen and heard enough to conclude that it’s a problem. And while the Orthodox merrymaking scene leaves things to be desired, a girl can party in peace. So while frat parties might be your scene if you want to “get lucky,” I’d rather avoid the kind of luck that leaves me questioning what, and who, I did the night before.
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