Chabad offers students new spiritual community
By Katie McKenzie
Published: Friday, April 9, 2004
Jewish students on campus have begun discovering a new way to participate in campus religious life, thanks to the Rabbi Hershey Novack and the Washington University Chabad chapter. An organization based on furthering knowledge of the Jewish faith, Chabad is an international project with chapters in 45 states and 70 countries worldwide.
"Chabad offers an opportunity for students, from unaffiliated through to observant Jews, to have a home-like place to go to when they want to get to do something Jewish or learn about Judaism," said Dena Silverman, a graduate student in the School of Law.
A Chabad student group also exists at the University, working within the greater Jewish community and participates in the Jewish Student Union. It attracts a diverse population of Jewish students from different parts of the nation, with differing knowledge of Judaism and differing concepts of faith.
Non-Jewish students are also encouraged to attend Chabad-sponsored events. In the past year, such occasions have included co-hosting Hasidic reggae singer Matisyahu, making hamantaschen pastries for Purim, and participating in Jewzapalooza. Future events include participating in Thurtene Carnival.
According to junior Matt Rettner, newly elected coordinating chair of the Chabad student group, the purpose of Chabad is "for students to develop greater appreciation and knowledge of Jewish cultural, historical, and religious roots." Because the Chabad student group is new on campus, next year's activities promise to be on an even grander scale. By increasing awareness of the organization, Rettner noted, more students will get involved and the role of Chabad on campus will increase.
Rabbi Novack came to St. Louis with his wife Chana after University alumni, faculty, and several students requested the formation of a campus organization.
"When we arrived at Washington University, we began to appreciate the student-centered development model, and created an organization that reflects the student-driven approach," Novack said. "Today, our student group is a source of great pride. Chana and I have also found St. Louis to be an excellent place to raise a family, with many peers and a warm community."
Novack believes that many students benefit from the services offered by the Chabad student organization. The benefits exist on many different levels, he explained.
"Educationally, students have new and exciting learning experiences available to them-opportunities such as Jewish Law in the Law School, Medical Ethics in the School of Medicine and similar [programs that] provide a diverse range of opportunities. Religiously, students have the service of a full-time rabbi for questions, services and [the like]. Students also gain socially by creating a sense of community and camaraderie at Chabad Student Association events and in our home, which regularly plays host to 30-50 students," he said.
Novack feels, however, that he offers something more to the Chabad student group as well.
"In addition, as a rabbi, I play a silent-but real-part of the Washington University 'safety net,'" he said. "Students are often more comfortable to 'open up' to a rabbi than a psychologist or counselor. Needless to say, these discussions are kept in strictest confidence."
As a college organization, Chabad has seen a 50 percent increase in growth over the past three years and is currently the fastest growing collegiate Jewish organization of any Jewish denomination, employing 70 full-time rabbis.