UNC's beloved hoofed mascot, Ramses, became a man Saturday night when a bar mitzvah celebration was held in his honor.
The school icon was a no show at the event, but the party went on with more than 75 guests filing through the N.C. Hillel doors for some dancing, food and fun.
The bar mitzvah, a traditional coming of age celebration for 13-year-old Jewish males, was hosted by Hillel, the campus's primary Jewish student organization.
"We thought it would be a great way to engage the whole UNC community," said Dorie Ain, organizer of the event.
The group decided to make Ramses a central part of the occasion to encourage all students - both Jewish and non-Jewish alike - to come out to the event.
"Everyone loves the Ram," Ain said.
She stressed that Ramses' bar mitzvah was not spiritual or religious in nature.
"It's not a religious event. It's more of a social aspect," Ain said. "I just want people to know we are here on campus and to have a good time."
The Hillel received a grant from their international office - Hillel International - for the bar mitzvah party, which the group has been planning since late January.
A crowd of students filled the Hillel, with some gathering around the food tables in the Persian-Indian room and others dancing to pop favorites in the bar mitzvah room. Other guests made their way upstairs for some chips and salsa in the Latin room.
Various ethnic foods lined the crimson and gold tables of the Persian-Indian room. Samosa, a type of fried Indian pastry, and hummus were interspersed between American favorites such as M & M's.
Twinkle lights that spelled out "Mazel Tov", which is Hebrew for congratulations, illuminated the bar mitzvah room.
Carolina-blue streamers and balloons filled the room of people dancing to songs such as Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back".
The Latin-themed room offered a laid-back lounge area with music, Mexican food and short margarita- shaped glasses to fill with soda.
A blown up image of Ramses was covered by guests with the signatures and words of good luck such as "Rock on Ramses".
"They're a great group," said the event's deejay Todd Siena, who also goes by DJ Teeze.
"They have a lot of energy," he said of the Hillel.
For some the party brought back memories of their own celebrations from middle school.
Freshman Diana Gergel, a member of Sigma Rho Lambda, a Jewish sorority on campus said that the game "Coke and Pepsi", which is traditionally played at bar and bat mitzvahs reminded her of her own bat mitzvah.
"I don't really get to go to bar mitzvah parties as much," Gergel said. "I miss it.
"My bat mitzvah weekend was the best weekend of my life."
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
