Photos: Adam Richman
Filled with tables of top university administrators, faculty, supporters, alumni and students, the 28th anniversary event of Chabad House on Campus-Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania was magical.
Celebrating almost 3 decades of Jewish life on campus, Shlucha Sara Weinstein reflected back to 1988. “Our first student who attended the Rosh Hashanah New Year’s dinner was an 18-year-old freshman,” Weinstein said. “This student today is 46-years-old, is married with 6 children, and has served as a campus rabbi in England. He is just one of many alumni today.”
Weinstein, together with her husband, Rabbi Shmuel Weinstein, is building partnerships between Chabad House and 9 area campuses, including the University of Pittsburgh, Chatham University, Duquesne University, Robert Morris University and other local community colleges.
Such partnerships have led to enhancing the college experience for Jewish students. On Pitt’s campus, Chabad House students are even invited annually for a Shabbos meal at the Vice-Chancellor’s home.
Most recently, as Sara Weinstein shared, “We are so fortunate to have the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Kathy Humphrey, as a close friend of Chabad House. Recently, she approached me saying, “We just built a deck on our back porch, and I’d like our first party on the deck to be a Chabad House Shabbos meal.” Dr. Humphrey cleared her schedule to make sure we’d fit it in before the weather got cooler!”
The 28th Anniversary Celebration brought together tables of university personnel eager to recognize the partnership of Chabad House on each of their campuses.
Co-Chairpersons of the event were the University of Pittsburgh Dean of Student Affairs, Kenyon Bonner, together with Chatham University Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Dr. Zauyah Waite.
Chatham’s new president, Dr. David Finegold, attended and thanked the Weinsteins for the warm and supportive environment they have created for students. “I thank you for your work and dedication and the real difference you’re making for Chatham.”
Father James McCloskey, Senior Advisor to the President of Duquesne University attended, in addition to Professors of the Duquesne School of Law, to honor Pitt alumna, Rona Kaufman-Kitchen, now an Associate Professor of Law at Duquesne.
Two other alumni received alumni awards, Mr. Sam Krichevsky, a Pitt graduate and now CEO and founder of TanZ Productions, a live-music production company, and Mr. David Friedman, a graduate of Robert Morris University, and a professional hockey player on the Fort Wayne, Indiana Komets.
The theme of the evening, “Making Magic Together,” expressed itself throughout the night by the testimony of alumni and administrators alike.
The goals of the universities and Chabad House on Campus go hand-in-hand: to provide students a meaningful foundation for life. When Jewish students have a warm and supportive environment during their college years to grow Jewishly, as Chabad offers, their chances for personal and professional success are also much stronger.
“It’s all about the students,” as honoree of the evening, Dr. Sean McGreevey, former Dean at Chatham University, explained. “Additionally, we know that spirituality is important for many students as they balance their lives and seek strength. Finally, we see opportunity for students to learn valuable skills and competencies through their organizational involvement. True engagement for a university means being partners with our community organizations and planning our vision together. I feel that the relationship between Chabad House and Chatham has blossomed from this approach and our events and offerings are enriched from a deep partnership.”
In its 28 years in Pittsburgh, Chabad House on Campus, has grown from a one-couple operation, to a staff of six, including Rabbi Shua and Shoshana Hoexter, directors of graduate student programming, and Rabbi Shmuli and Chasi Rothstein, Directors of Undergraduate programs at the University of Pittsburgh. “No longer is there one Shabbos location offered by Chabad House; now there are three locations, and often with standing room only!”
As special entertainment for the night, Chabad House brought an award-winning Israeli Magician, Asael Dreyer. During the event, Rabbi Weinstein, introduced three student awardees, Alexa Jordahl, from the University of Pittsburgh; Judy Buchman of Carlow University, and Nancy Clark, attending Chatham University.
Weinstein also shared the newest development of Chabad on Campus International, the results of the Hertog Study, just released on Chai Elul, the actual day of the Chabad House on Campus Anniversary, revealing the effective impact of Chabad on Campus overall. Weinstein concluded, “While studies are not what motivate us, it’s nice to see the results regarding our collective impact. As my wife said, the continued partnership of Chabad House with the universities will bring about an even greater impact. With this partnership we can make magic together!”
Event Coordinators were Donna Katz and Fraydi Silverman and catering was done by Chana Miriam Weiss, of KosherThyme Catering.
A pleasure and zechus to know him and his lovely wife.