Members of the Hillel Center lit candles and talked about interfaith dating in honor of the Cohn Shabbat Dinner – one the largest annual events for the University Hillel Campus Center for Jewish Life

Students lead conservative, reform and traditional services Fridays at 6:30 p.m. to observe the Shabbat, which means Sabbath, according to Rabbi Justin Kerber, director.

“This is a very special way to remember my parents,” said Alan Cohn, president of the Hillels of Georgia Board. “They met more than 30 years ago during a Shabbat. So this is a great way to bring [UGA Hillel] together.”

The ceremony included lighting candles to welcome the Sabbath, prayer, dinner and a lecture.

Interfaith dating was the topic of the evening.

“I once heard someone say, ‘Biology is a much stronger drive than theology,’” said Mitch Cohen, an educator from the Jewish Community Center in Atlanta, during the message.

Interfaith relationships are common because of the inclusiveness of Judaism as compared to other religions, he said.

“If you question Christianity, you’re sent straight to counseling, but if you tell a rabbi that you don’t understand he’ll listen to you,” Cohen said. “Judaism wants you to question everything.”

The community is an important part of Judaism since Jewish people make up 0.04 percent of the U.S. population; less than half of the world’s Jewish population, he said.

UGA Hillel provides several student-run events supporting Jewish students, about 4.5 to 5.5 percent of the total student population at the University.

“Hillel started at the University of Illinois in 1922,” said Kerber. “Now, Hillel is represented on campuses throughout the world.”

The organization offers artistic, cultural, educational, religious, social and social action programs to “empower students to embark on their own personal journey,” according to its Web site.

Students can stop by the house at 1155 South Milledge Avenue, near Five Points, to study, watch television, use wireless Internet and attend weekly events.