Chabad Purchases House Near Wash. U
By Keren Douek
Staff Writer
Jewish students at Washington University are getting a house to call their own.
Chabad on Campus, which had been operating out of Rabbi Hershey and Chana Novack's apartment, will be moving in spring 2006 to a new, larger house closer to the campus.
"The students are very excited that there will be a place at Chabad for them to call their own," Chana Novack said. "Our place now they view as our apartment, whereas the Chabad house they will view as their space; a space they can help create and make their own."
The Chabad house will be at 7018 Forsyth, right near the student housing. According to Rabbi Novack, the acquisition stems from a need that has been created due to the success of the Chabad on campus.
"We are at capacity in our current apartment," Novack said. "The new building provides us a far better location and a far larger place. We are doing this out of a sense of need."
Novack also mentioned that the local expansion follows a trend of growth among Chabad on campuses nationwide during the past 24 months, with new Chabad buildings having been opened at Duke University, Emory University, Brandeis University, University of Chicago, University of Southern California and University of Miami, among others.
According to Novack, this trend represents a tremendous need to further develop programs and opportunities for university students. "The National Jewish Population Survey in 2000 indicated that the sad reality is that the bulk of students on our campuses do not connect with Jewish life on campus. We are helping in a real tangible way make a difference in the Jewish lives of hundreds and hundreds of students, and helping build the American Jewish community for the 21st century," Novack said.
Chabad on Campus - which is not affiliated directly with Washington University but serves the Washington University community and advises recognized groups - is one of several campus ministries, such as Hillel at Washington University.
Margo Hamburger-Fox, executive director of Hillel at Washington University said: "It is nice for Chabad to be closer to campus and it will be helpful for them to do their programming."
While Hillel and Chabad on campus do not have joint programming, Fox said they do have a good relationship and students tend to go back and forth between the two without a problem and are able to get what they need from both places.
Jana Singer, an incoming junior, said she enjoys going to Chabad for anything from Shabbat meals to summer barbeques. "I think that Chabad is a great alternative for people that don't really fit in with Hillel," Singer said. "I think it's more intimate. That rabbi and his family are so friendly and make everyone feel really welcome."
Chabad on Campus operates under the auspices of Chabad of Greater St. Louis.
"It is usually the first step where they leave home or take a giant step into the world out there," said Rabbi Yosef Landa, executive director of Chabad of Greater St. Louis."If we can help them and if they succeed with our help to hold onto their Jewish identity and even increase it while they are on campus, we are that much more assured that going out into the world they will be strong members of the Jewish community and will pass that on to their future generations."
Novack announced that the naming partner for the house is the Rohr Family Foundation, which is based in New York.
George Rohr, director of the foundation, said in a released statement: "After extensive due diligence and experience over many years, we have come to the undeniable conclusion that on college campuses we get by far the biggest bang for the buck by investing with Chabad."
Chabad on Campus is also kicking off a capital campaign with a goal of $750,000 which is currently in the leadership phase and will move to the public phase in the fall. All are invited to contact Chabad about dedication and naming opportunities that still remain.
Novack said the vision of the center is to be a place "where all Jewish students are embraced, in caring, inspiring community." He added: "We are confident that the Rohr Chabad House will elevate our successes in this arena to an entirely new level."
Source: St. Louis Jewish Light, July 13, 2005