The echoing bass blaring from the Louis Room and the sounds of Boomshaka warming up outside in the hallway stood in contrast to the silence of the more than 70 people sitting in Norris's Big Ten Room to observe the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Inside, readers sang the traditional text called the Megillah as the audience sat quiet in prayer. The only noise came whenever the name of the villain Haman was read, when the audience would jeer and ring bells.
Rabbi Josh Feigelson of Hillel said that despite the quiet, Purim is an upbeat holiday. He was dressed in one of his wife's old bridesmaid dresses to symbolize a theme that Purim represents.
"Purim is the day of reversals," he said. "The book of Esther switches from tragedy to joy, and that's what the holiday represents."
Feigelson said the traditions of Purim mirror DM well.
"Purim is one of the most festive holidays," he said. "It fits with the theme of DM. It's festivity combined with an awareness of the suffering in the world."
During the day-long holiday, Jews are required to collect funds for gifts to the poor and contribute money toward preserving the Jewish faith.
Dancer Andrea Katz said she was glad she had an opportunity to observe the holiday.
"I thought it was nice," the Weinberg junior said. "I'm glad they were able to work out a way for DM dancers to participate."
Katz said that she didn't think the nearly forty minutes she spent sitting in observance would make it hard to continue dancing.
"I just want to make sure I stretch out before I go," she said. "It actually was harder to stop moving and sit than I think it will be to start again."
Text: Dan Fletcher/The Daily Northwestern
DM dancers speak to Rabbi Josh Feigelson of Hillel
Photo: Joanna Allerhand/The Daily Northwestern
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