For Jewish college students, Chabad is more than just a social organization—it's a community of inclusion and belonging.
When I embarked on a ten-day long trip to Montreal, I did not expect to end up sitting in a plastic chair eating a free meal of Israeli food from a styrofoam plate at McGill University. My boyfriend of the time had signed us up– we were low on money and knew that Chabad would give us free food. I was hesitant. We didn’t know anyone at McGill– wouldn’t it be awkward to just walk into a random school building and sit down for a Shabbos meal with complete strangers? This, however, proved not to be the case. Upon walking in, we were greeted warmly by the Rabbi, his family, and a healthy group of about fifty students. People made room for us at the tables and we spent the meal telling each other our life stories and discussing the torah portion of the week. Even though I was miles away from New York, I felt right at home.
This experience was not singular. My boyfriend, who went to school at Indiana University, had introduced me to Chabad at his college the year before. When I would visit, he would take me to the Chabad house on Friday nights. IU’s Jewish community is quite large with a lively, friendly, and accommodating Chabad to match. At Indiana, Chabad is more than just an organization– it’s a lifestyle. Events range from Torah study to parties to family-style dinners. The Chabad there has greatly catered to their audience by often collaborating with Jewish greek life organizations through philanthropy and volunteer work. I have several Jewish friends at IU, all of whom are either on the board of the organization or regularly attend events. For many, it has placed Judaism at the forefront of their lives, which for some is a new and often unexpected change from their life before.
What is to be said about this Chabad takeover? Why Chabad as compared to other organizations such as Hillel or SSI (Students Supporting Israel)? The answer lies in Chabad’s main goal to meet students where they are. This strategy is both compelling and effective. Although Chabad is an orthodox sector of Judaism, they don’t require students to climb to their level, but actually encourage them to remain where they are. They focus on the importance of simply showing up.
Over 3,500 Chabad-Lubavitch institutions exist in more than 85 countries. The movement originated in the 18th century in Russia, stemming from persecution that leaders of the movement faced when trying to keep the Torah alive. Chabad’s official website states that the meaning behind Chabad is to care for the “spiritual and material needs of all Jews.”
From this mission statement came the establishment of the Chabad House, influenced by Baal Shem Tov, whose teachings focus on the joy of faith through trusting and loving one’s soul rather than their outer being. Even though the leaders of Chabad know they are oftentimes more religious than a majority of their community, their place is not to judge but rather to accept with open arms. For college students, this acceptance is empowering and extremely appealing– students can be a part of a community that doesn’t necessarily require anything of them. Chabad welcomes all Jewish folk into their home, regardless of degree of faith or political belief. Membership comes simply from being part of the tribe.
To an outsider, this intermingling of individuals from different sectors of the Jewish religion may appear strange. But at its core, this act is a fundamental pillar of the Jewish religion, and something that has kept us alive and afloat for so many years.
Chabad is an example of how to effectively build a community that supports and gauges the interest of young college-age people. While the Chabad movement may be perceived by some as promulgating archaic ideas, it has instead transcended the traditional inward-looking boundaries of the Hasidic movement and offered a common place for the entire Jewish community. The Chabad House is an invaluable place of asylum for Jewish students and a source of help and support in a post-October 7th world.
Hannah Kotkin is a junior at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.
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