On a rainy and cold Chicago night, a group of 30 plus people gathered together to celebrate the Jewish Holiday of Sukkot on the lawn of Loyola’s Mundelein Center. The group huddled into a modern reproduction of a biblical hut. The hut was crafted out of tarps, pine tree branches and wood studs. This structure is referred to as a Sukkah by the Jewish people. Loyola students gathered to celebrate the day at an event called Hukkah in the Sukkah. The students decorated the Sukkah with traditional fruits and crafts. Hanging from the ceiling were pomegranates, eggplant, squash and corn. There were also paper chains in array of colors. Dense smoke hung in the air, as the participants sampled different flavors of Hookah, a traditional Middle Eastern tobacco.

The party was sponsored by Hillel, a Jewish organization popular on many college campuses. Their goal is to keep Jewish students involved and a actively participating in religion while away at school.The Hillel on Loyola’s campus is run by Patti Ray, an honored Loyola staff member who has been working for the school for over twenty years. Sukkot is also called the Feast of Booth. The Sukkah is the traditional booth that Jewish people put up on Sukkot. It is a biblical Holiday celebrated on the 15th of Tirshrei on the Jewish calendar, which usually falls in late September or early October. The holiday celebrates two things. Biblically, it represents the end of the Jewish people’s trek through the desert. The huts represent the make shift shelters they lived in. It also would come to represent the harvest season hundreds of years later. The shelters or Sukkahs were where the Jewish people slept when they were out in the fields during the harvest.

Ray explained, “Hookah in the Sukkah is an event that we have been putting on for many years. It allows students on the campus to get a taste of other cultures and their celebrations.” Not every student at the event was a member of Hillel. Some of the students were from other cultural organizations or clubs. One of the main goals of the event was to show students from other cultures and backgrounds how Jewish people celebrate their holidays. During the event there was much talk of cultural diversity and acceptance. Ray whizzed around the table introducing people to each other.

Ten minutes later the Sukkah was abuzz with conversation. As the smoke loomed in the air the students discussed politics, religion, school, grades, and their favorite or least favorite teachers. Inga Menasia, a student at Loyola, said, “I love this event. I come every year. The smell of hookah in the air and the chattering of people. I get so lost in conversation that I forget how cold I am.

Jordan Abarnathy, a freshmen student, said, “I have never been in a Sukkah before, a new experience for me. I really enjoy learning about other people’s cultures. And the free food doesn’t hurt!”
As the night wound down around 10 o’clock, it seemed as though no one wanted to leave. The charcoals in the hookah’s had all burned out some time ago but the students were having a discussion on religious tolerance.

“I have never felt more accepted than I do right now,” said Amy Worbehoven, a junior at Loyola. “I hope that Hillel can keep this tradition alive. Being able to talk to my peers in a leisurely but religious atmosphere gives me hope for our future.”

The night finally ended around 10 o’clock. Ray along with the Hillel board cleaned up the aftermath of the event. “This is one of the best turn outs we have had in a while,” explained Ray. “I believe the students learned a lot about each other and differentcultures tonight.”

"You’re squishing me."

"Excuse me, your backpack keeps slapping me in the face."

"I’ll just wait for the next one."

These are just some of the phrases and begrudging comments you may have heard on Chicago buses and trains lately.

On February 7, 2010, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) cutbacks took effect. Over 1000 train and bus operators were laid off in order to keep the CTA up and running. Along with these layoffs, the CTA cut some routes and reduced the frequency of buses around the city. Some of the routes that were cut include express routes such as the King Drive Express, the Cottage Grove Express, South Pulaski Limited and over 15 more.

This reporter took to the streets of Chicago on a blustery and overcast day to find out what real Chicagoans thought of the frequency changes and canceled routes nearly eight months later. I asked ten Chicago CTA users, “How have the cutbacks on the bus frequency effected your morning and afternoon commute?” Responses varied.

When I spoke with people who don’t use the CTA every day, they did not seem to notice the cutbacks or frequency changes. Most said that it can be a hassle during rush hour, but for the most part they were happy with the way the CTA was running. Evelyna Ropa, a nurse’s aid, explained, “It’s busy. But so far it’s pretty good for me. I haven’t noticed any huge problems with the buses.”

Others were more irate about the bus schedule changes. “When I used to work weekends, it was bad. Especially on Sunday, no buses would be going, coming down here,” said Stephanie Gun, age 48. Gun explained that since the cutbacks she has had to rearrange her schedule in order to get work on time. She now gets up thirty minutes early to get to the bus and she still is often late for work.

CTA Chairman Frank Kruesi has publically apologized to many riders saying that he knew the cutbacks would affect them. But he argues that the frequency changes save the CTA $22 million a year. Kruesi commented on the fact that in the last ten years ridership has been down by 30%. He commented that “We had to make cutbacks to reflect that reality.”

written by RACHEL FEINBERG on OCTOBER 25TH, 2011