 On Tuesday night, November 4th, people all over the United States sat glued to their TV sets watching as the election results poured in from states all over the country. As the map of the US became dotted with blue and red states, students at Temple University's Hillel gathered for an election night program. As students entered the lobby adorned with red, white and blue balloons, they were handed maps of the United States along with blue and red markers. As the results were announced on the television students identified on their own maps which state had voted Republican or Democrat. Hot appetizers were served all night long and students enjoyed the mini hot dogs, potato puffs and other comfort foods along with the cold soda and lemonade. As the night progressed the group of over 40 students became increasingly aware that the country was heading for a change in leadership and that Senator Obama would soon carry the new title, President-elect Obama. The chatter in the room became more animated and the students leaned closer to the television sets. Several students spoke about the changes that needed to happen in the country. Other students spoke about which candidate they believed would do the best job for the country and who they believed would support Israel and be the best advocate for the Jewish people. The conversations were tremendously insightful and the students demonstrated a significant knowledge base about the individual campaign platforms. This can be attributed to the countless hours that Obama and McCain supporters put in on campus educating students about the issues, ensuring that students were registered to vote, and urging them to get out and vote on Election Day. On the days leading up to the election there were rallies held on campus, a free concert sponsored by the Obama campaign and several motorists with loudspeakers attached to their cars drove up and down the streets demanding that people exercise their right to vote.  Shortly before 11 o'clock, Senator Obama was declared the winner and some students celebrated while others were dismayed. The group talked about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's coming full circle with the election of an African American President. And then Broad Street... Students and residents of North Philadelphia spilled out onto Broad Street celebrating the Obama victory. Car horns blared and people shouted from their windows. Students ran up and down the street and people hugged and cheered. While this celebration paled in comparison with the one that took place when the Phillies won the World Series, you could feel a sense of optimism and hope permeate throughout the crowd. It was a night to remember globally, nationally and locally, especially here on Temple's campus; for its student body and for those who watched at Hillel.
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