Students flock to JCafe at Rutgers Chabad open house
The Chabad House at Rutgers University in New Brunswick hosted its annual open house Israeli JCafé last week, drawing a record-breaking crowd of more than 500 students. Students from across the United States — and as far away as India, Israel, Panama, and Ukraine — joined in the celebration, reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of Jewish life at Rutgers.
The night provided a welcome to incoming freshmen, who were introduced to the Chabad community by members of the Chabad Student Leadership Team.
The JCafé (or more formally Chabad’s Weekly Jerusalem Café) offered a blend of culture and celebration, and included an authentic Israeli shawarma station, falafel, Middle Eastern desserts, mocktails, a photo booth, and giveaways. A Jewish Involvement Fair showcased opportunities available to get involved through Chabad House. Featured committees and programs included the Danny Kahane Memorial Sinai Scholars Torah Discovery Program, Hospital Patient and Nursing Home Resident visitations, Kosher Meals on Wheels for shut-ins and the elderly, the Shabbat for 1000 Committee, Chabad’s Israel Advocacy Group, and the daily services minyan committee.
“It’s a real testament to the countless years of dedication of our executive director and founder of Chabad House, Rabbi Yosef Carlebach, who took the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s dream and brought it into reality here in New Brunswick — creating a space where any Jewish student, regardless of background or observance, can find a welcoming, fun, and non-judgmental home with warm, accepting and inspirational rabbis and rebbetzins,” Rabbi Baruch Goodman, Chabad’s campus activities director, said.