Jewish organization hosts interfaith dodgeball game

About fifteen people gathered Thursday on the muddy soccer fields to play a game of Makanayim, or Jewish dodgeball.

Hillel, a Jewish campus organization, held the event as a way to further develop an interfaith friendship among religious campus organizations.

"We're trying to do more get-to-know-each-other events," said Moshe Cohen, Interim Program Coordinator for the University chapter of Hillel.

Makanayim was developed in Jewish summer camps, Cohen said.

Cohen also said the word "Makanayim" comes from the Hebrew word for "hit."

The rules of Makanayim are different from the regular rules of a game of dodgeball.

Each team may appoint a "goalie" who stands behind the opposite team and may peg opposing team members with balls, said Jeff Lahasky, international trade and finance senior.

"You have to watch your back," Lahasky said.

Lahasky also said people who get hit are considered out and go to the sideline of the opposite team and hit their opponents from the sideline.

After a few games, the participants ended the night by watching the movie "Dodgeball."

All but one of the participants were Hillel members, which Cohen attributed to the last-minute planning.

Josh Miller, youth minister for University United Methodist Church, also attended.

"Jews versus Gentiles," he joked. "Bring it on."

Hillel plans to sponsor another game Saturday at 10:30 a.m., before the Sigma Alpha Mu Dodgeball tournament.

----- Contact Rachael Moreau at rmoreau@lsureveille.com

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