Happenings at Chabad of Binghamton:

 

Wine and Cheese Reception Honors Class of 2007

- Wednesday, May 16 2007

 

On Wed. May 16 Chabad House held an elegant wine and cheese reception for the graduating class of 2007. After socializing and enjoying the spread, the graduates were addressed by Dr. Roger Summers, VP for Student Affairs at BU  who offered his best wishes to the graduates on behalf of himself and the university administration. Summers urged the graduates to remember that no matter where life takes them the most important thing is to make a difference in people's lives. Susan Walker, local Jewish community leader and member of the board of trustees of Chabad House spoke to the graduates - "tomorrow's leaders" - from her personal experience about the importance of staying involved in the Jewish community, contributing and taking a leadership role. The graduates especially enjoyed a slide presentation of pictures taken of them at Chabad events spanning their college career. The evening concluded with special presentations to all the graduates and special awards presented to Melissa Mayers, who received the Emor M'at V'aseh Harbeh Award, and Baruch Spier, who received the Rebbetzin Miriam Gurary Chesed Award.

Midnight Madness Breakfast

Chabad Breaks Ground for New, Expanded Center

- Friday, May 11 2007

It may have been finals week with events and programming all but finished until next year, but hundreds of students proved true the old saw "it's not over til it's over," at Chabad's midnight madness breakfast. Participants enjoyed made to order Chef Daniel Schlossberg's famous omelettes, smoothies, bagels and shmears and of course, Bernie's pancakes. What a blast!

On Friday, May 11 in a short but stirring ceremony, Chabad House broke ground for a new building which will be attached to its current facility. The expansion, an estimated 3 million dollar project, will give Chabad House an additional 11,000 square feet in and out of which to operate. Phase I, a social hall that can seat 400 with additional space that can be opened when needed, and an expanded kitchen, is projected to be completed by  Fall '07 in time for the new semester. Dr. Rodger Summers, Vice President of student affairs at BU speaking on behalf of BU President, Lois DeFleur, congratulated Chabad House upon this momentous occasion and spoke of how Chabad House has enriched not only the lives of Jewish students at BU but has strengthened the entire Binghamton University community. Outgoing Chabad student board president, Harris Ringelheim shared with the exuberant crowd that when the building is completed it will be the largest Chabad House Jewish Student Center on any campus. Michael Wright, president of Chabad House, Dr. Barry Raff, Rivkah Slonim, student representative David Shmookler, and Rabbi Aaron Slonim also delivered remarks. After the ceremony, the program continued with the senior picture, services, a dinner honoring the graduating seniors, many of whom spoke to the crowd and an oneg that went far into the night.

Lag B'Omer Barbecue

Honoring the Memory of Professor Librescu

- Friday, April 28 2007

The annual Lag B'Omer barbecue was hotter than ever, featuring delicious burgers and hot dogs right off the grill, a live band that kept the energy flowing for over two hours, a bonfire, and footballs and frisbees flying everywhere.

On Friday, April 20, a special candle lighting ceremony was held to commemorate the death of Virginia Tech Professor Liviu Librescu, the Holocaust survivor who died protecting his students. The impetus for the ceremony was the fact that the victim's widow, Marlina Librescu told Chabad Rabbi Mayer who helped prepare the Professor's body for burial in Israel :
"My husband loved the special Jewish ceremony that marks the beginning of the Sabbath on Friday's eve. He would always remind me to light candles as the sun was setting. The biggest happiness I could have would be to have Shabbat candles lit in my husband's memory."
In response, Chabad Houses on campuses across the country asked that girls come together to honor the memory of Librescu in this way. At the Chabad House, special candle lighting ceremonies will be held each Friday until the end of the semester which will mark the end of the Shloshim ( first thirty days from death) period for Librescu.

Tie-dyeing for Rosh Chodesh

Shabbat 1500 Sets Nationwide Record for College Shabbat Celebration

- Friday, March 23 2007

The Rosh Chodesh Circle Event in honor of the month of Iyar was a great evening that featured tie-dying, a fun bonding game, great coffee and biscotti and a special presentation on Sefirat Haomer and the "colors" of our soul. We can't wait for  the Chodesh Circle events next year!

Have you noticed the astonishing, unbelievable, amazing, mind-blowing, incredible, fabulous, magnificent, absolutely phantasmagorical way people throw around superlatives these days? The word amazing is trotted out for everything from an unexpected, game winning touchdown to brownies with pudding in the mix. And awesome? Don't get us started.

Then there's Shabbat 1500 that took place on Friday, March 23 in the East Gym at BU. Now that was really amazing and even awesome. Can you imagine a room filled with over 1400 collegiates gathered to celebrate Shabbat? Can you imagine 1400 voices responding Amen to the Kiddush or singing responsively to "I said a Hinei Ma Tov..."? Can you imagine the recruitment efforts? Cooking that amount of food? Shlepping all that stuff from Chabad House to the East Gym? Setting those tables? Dealing with table arrangements? and the list goes on…

Can you imagine the rush of Jewish excitement, the feeling of unity and pride? It took months of planning and hundreds of hours of hard work on the part of many, many students but it all paid off! Congratulations guys- you are the best!

Festive Dancing, Comedic Magic Show Mark Annual Purim Seudah

Megillah Reading and Purim Spiel - Purim 2007

- Saturday night, March 3 2007

On Purim Day, Sunday March 4 2007, Chabad held its annual Purim Seudah (Purim Feast) at the JCC, just a short walk from the Chabad House. The evening began with a Megillah reading, followed by a delicious Chinese dinner. Dancing began no sooner than attendees finished eating, and the energy in the room mimicked that of Simchat Torah. Entertainment from comedic magician Chris Capehart marked the evening with up-close and twisted versions of what at first appeared to be classic tricks.

Purim night at BU (Saturday night, March 3, 2007) started with a Megillah reading with student involvement, replete with the loudest "groggering" found on this side of the Susquehanna. Hilarious entertainment followed with a special Purim Shpiel (comedic skit/play) masterfully written and directed by nascent comic Justin Rapp, who co-starred as Melvin along with "wife" Svetlana Gold (Lauren Levy). The Shpiel, dubbed "The New Testament: Purim as Related by Melvin and Svetlana Gold," recanted the Purim Story with some off-beat, modern day twists that kept the audience hooked and occasionally stunned while maintaining some sort of semblance to the actual Purim story.

Over 200 students attended Saturday night's Purim celebration in UU133, and Chabad also read the megillah at several on- and off-campus locations the next day including the Chabad House, the University Union, and several fraternity houses.

16th Annual Purim Carnival a PurimPalooza

Hamantash and Rugelach Baking Ushers in Purim Cheer

- Tuesday, February 27 2007

On Thursday March 1, 2007, the sixteenth annual Purim Carnival took charge of the East Gym. About 1,700 students rushed to the East Gym in anticipation of traditional and new attractions, not to forget the never ceasing "Hamantashen til' you bust!" Those wanting to be in the heat of the action took part in the ever-famous Pedestal Joust and other rides, while ravenous wannabee record setters challenged the hot dog eating contest. The costumes were undoubtedly some of the most coordinated and innovative ever seen, with teams of colorfully clad characters making their mark on the carnival and contest. Costume contest champs were the Super Mario Bros. of Nintendo fame. The Battle of the Bands kept the atmosphere rocking; thanks to all bands that showed off their talent. Thanks to all the organizations and campus councils that sponsored the event for helping make it a huge success. The carnival and its prize drawing raised $3,600 for local charities including flood relief for Binghamton citizens, CHOW, and Jewish Family Services as well as charities abroad including Children of Chernobyl and charities in Israel.

On Tuesday February 27, students eager to get a taste of Purim spirit baked delicious Hamantashen and Rugelach. Everyone took home a bundle, and packs were delivered to residents of local nursing homes.

Pre-Purim Madness

Super Bowl Party

- Sunday, February 4 2007

At the Chabad table in the New Union, over 400 packages of Mishloach Manot, traditional gifts of food in honor of the Purim holiday, were sold to students on and off campus and were delivered on Purim day. Many students took advantage of the opportunity to send their friends a surprise pack of goodies in celebration of Purim.

The last two photos show some of the many preparations for the Purim Carnival. Many months of planning and hard work ensured the success of this momentous event.

Chabad's Super Bowl Party on Feb. 4 featured a huge screen, the Super Bowl Special from Dougie's in Brooklyn, and loads of energy from Bears fans, Colts fans, and those who didn't care who won!

Chabad Gets Weinerized

- Wednesday, January 31 2007

Cooking with Yael

- January - February 2007

for his '90s Nickelodeon show "Weinerville," Weiner presented Jewber Jabber, featuring his hilariously confounding first encounters with Orthodox Judaism that led him toward greater Jewish observance. Doing his classic shtick most of the time while ingeniously improvising off the crowd with his sharp wit, Weiner's show kept such strong momentum that attendees begged him to keep going after over an hour of never-ending belly laughs. Weiner bent to the massive peer pressure, losing no time donning an army uniform with a few forks in the front pocket and shouting the differences between "vultures," "scrapers," and "fuhlaters" at Bar and Bat Mitzvah kiddushes. Weiner also played off the crowd to do a true-to-life "Swiper" routine as "Dora the Explorer" character Swiper the Fox, which Weiner voices along with the show's "Map." The crowd throughly enjoyed being "Weinerized," and we hope to see everyone at the next Chabad Cafe on April 27!

Lucky participants in a few part cooking workshop with Yael Lewin have been learning a lot about cooking and enjoying the scrumptious fruit of their labor.

Chabad Hits the Slopes!

- Sunday, January 28 2007

Mayanot/Birthright trip winter 2007 absolutely Sabbaba (cool)!

- Thursday, January 4 - Tuesday, January 16 2007

Our first annual ski trip to beautiful Greek Peak was a resounding success ( we apologize to those whom we had to turn down, next year we plan to take two buses!) with people having a blast skiing, tubing and snow boarding. Nothing like having a good time with friends.

Lucky Binghamton students joined Mayanot/birthright bus #11 for the trip ofa lifetime this winter. The ten-day trip of non stop activity took students all over Israel and introduced them to the many facets of life in that country. Highlights included Shabbat at the Kotel, climbing Massada, Jeeping in the North, Camel Riding in the South, the Mega Event, interfacing with soldiers and soooo much more! We can't wait to get back to Israel again!

Midnight Breakfast Madness lives up to its name!

- Tuesday, December 12 2006

WoW! Women of Worth enjoy Women's Cabaret

- Thursday, November 30 2006

The Chabad House was packed for the Midnight Breakfast Madness at which students enjoyed bagels, shmears, waffles, pancakes and each others' company. People who still had finals took a study break and those that had finished took this opportunity to celebrate. A highlight of the evening was the Prize Drawing for the annual Pre- Chanukah Charity Drive. Lucky winners made off with great prizes but everyone that contributed was a winner. Together, Chabad students raised over $1700 for the Sephardic Bikur Cholim program for Autistic children.

This year's Women's Cabaret offered participants a delicious Italian Dinner, a fantastic show of comedy, song, music and dance plus special appearances by the Pegs, and the women of Kaskeset, a display of art, photography and crafts, that special spirit of female bonding and scrumptious desserts. WoW! what a night!

Mazal Tov! My Big Fat Jewish Wedding an Outrageous Success!

- Thursday, November 16 2006

Shala Shudis: Cosmic Edition!

- Saturday night, November 11 2006

On Thursday, November 16, My Big Fat Jewish (mock) Wedding was held at Binghamton University. The program included all components of a traditional Jewish wedding with all members of the wedding party played by students who were dressed for their roles to the hilt.

33 people attended the fall semester's Shala Shudis group event (and the third event overall) on Saturday night, November 11. The night featured Rock-n-Bowl/Cosmic Bowling at Midway Lanes in Vestal followed by going to Friendly's for ice cream where "Shudisers" finished off their Friend-Z's in record time. Special thanks to Adam Romanoski, Avi Strum, Channa Schlagman, Elliot Zenilman, and Mike Siegel for driving everyone to and from the event.

Shala Shudis takes place each Shabbos evening (Saturday) approximately an hour and fifteen minutes before Shabbat ends (see Shabbat end times on the Monthly Calendar page). It's a relaxing, light meal that gives attendees the chance to congregate at Chabad and enjoy each other's company as well as some delicious food as Shabbat goes out. The group has a Facebook presence - the group name is Chabad Shala Shudis - and new members are always welcome!

Mind Altering Lecture!

- Sunday, November 5 2006

Hot Wheels!

- Saturday night, October 28 2006

Each semester, the Chabad House Jewish Student Center sponsors a program which brings a Chabad alum back to Binghamton and highlights their particular field of achievement or contribution in a way that is meaningful, instructive or entertaining to current students. On November 5, Chabad House, in conjunction with the office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at Binghamton University, sponsored a lecture titled: Binge Drinking: When Too Much is Too Much, which was presented by Daniel Tratt. Close to four hundred students packed the Mandela Room and sat riveted as Daniel related his very personal and sobering story. Click the photo at left for more info and photos.

Chabad went Go-Karting and we had a blast!

Doing the Challah Twist

- Wednesday, October 25 2006

Women Enjoy their Chodesh Circle

- Monday, October 23 2006

Challah baking workshops are a perennial favorite at which BU students get to learn about the Mitzvah of Challah and mix, knead, shape and bake their own to take home! Doing the Challah Twist is always fun!

Women at the Rosh Chodesh Circle event in honor of the month of Cheshvan enjoyed a great bonding game, delicious pecan pie and ice cream, and had a great time learning how to make wearable crafts like kippot and scarves

Pickin' Apples is Delicious!

- Sunday, October 21 2006

Hot Dates!

- Thursday, October 19 2006

On a crisp Sunday afternoon a group of us decided to take advantage of "Binghamton in the Fall" and went apple picking at Apple Hills Farm in nearby Chenango. The ride was beautiful, the picking was really fun and turning apples into kugel was, well, downright delicious!

A crowd of students looking for fun (and maybe a date) braved a major rainstorm to attend the Chabad Cafe and Dating Game on Thursday, Oct. 19. The evening did not disappoint! The cakes were delicious, the contestants were bursting with character ( and foreign accents) the laughs bordered on hysterical and three lucky couples get to enjoy Chabad pizza together!  Who knows... Look out for the next Chabad Cafe!

Jazzukah

- Week of October 1 2006

Shakin' it up on Campuz

- Week of October 9 2006

Hundreds of students filled the Chabad Sukkah for an outstanding evening of great food, music and fun. Mouth watering Ribs and sides, music and jamming plus good old fashioned shmoozing had everyone agreeing that this is a MUST repeat. So get excited for the second annual Rib and Jazz Fest in the Sukkah coming right up next year!

Hundreds of students at BU shook the Lulav and Etrog each day at the Chabad pop up sukkot which were set up around campus and the Sukkah Mobile which travelled across the university. Shake, shake, shake; we're bringing mitzvos on the spot to people on the go!

Sukkot Preparations

- Week of October 1 2006

Yom Kippur at BU

- Monday, October 2 2006

Putting up the biggest, coolest and warmest Sukkah in Broome County took a lot of work and effort which was all worth it as hundreds of students enjoyed meals, Jazzukah and hanging out  under the stars during the Sukkot holiday, not to mention the popular Pizza in the Hut on Monday and Thursday! Many thanks to all of you who helped put up the Schach, decorate and set up tables and chairs- you are the best!

Hundreds of students spent a meaningful Yom Kippur at Chabad services held in Room 133 of the Old Union. Pictured are some of the students who took part - a few days before Yom Kippur - in a "kapparot" ceremony with live chickens. Many others did the customary Kapparot ( atonement ) with money. Also pictured are students at the Havdallah ceremony following Yom Kippur
services and at the break the fast. "Kol Hakovod," we salute the hundreds of students who did not run to break the fast but remained through Maariv and Havdallah before they partook of a light break the fast in Room 133.

Rosh Chodesh Circle Event a Delicious Hit!

- Monday, September 18 2006

Fifth Annual Mitzvah Marathon Sees 1500+ Participants

- Monday, September 11 2006

The first Rosh Chodesh event for this year in honor of Tishrei was held a few days before Rosh Hashana and appropriately featured a Rosh Hashana cooking workshop in which participants cooked and baked up a storm of  recipes contributed by mothers and grandmothers of workshop participants. In addition to enjoying the feast, a discussion about the symbolic foods eaten on Rosh Hashana was enjoyed by all as well as a game during which the circle tightened as participants got to know each other. Everyone went home with extra food and a special Cook Book compiled just for this program, chock full of great recipes that will surely create wonderful Rosh Hashana memories for many families, for generations to come!

Binghamton University marked the Fifth Anniversary of 9/11 with its Fifth annual Mitzvah Marathon Fair, which gave the members of the BU community the opportunity to do a Mitzvah, a good deed, in memory of the victims of 9/11. The Marathon's logo "Twin Towers Stand Eternal: Goodness and Kindness." "A little light dispels much darkness" expressed the theme of the day: to do an act of goodness and kindness - to answer terrorism by making this a better world. At the Mitzvah Marathon pavilion, there were opportunities to give charity, donate food to CHOW, say a prayer, volunteer time with various agencies, and more. Also available in the Tillman lobby was the opportunity to make PB and Jam sandwiches for the homeless and to donate blood in a mega blood drive which took place in the Mandela Room. Over 1,500 people did a mitzvah and completed a form with their name and their good deed which was attached to a picture of one of the victims of 9/11 and strung on the memory wall. As the day progressed, the wall developed and became quite an arresting sight. The Binghamton University community was deeply affected by 9/11. Fifteen alumni perished along with scores of relatives of current and past students. Even five years later, students
were enthusiastic about the marathon and thankful that they had been given a meaningful way to turn tears into action.

9/11 Commemoration Ceremony

- Monday, September 11 2006

Pictionary Cafe a Resounding Success

- Thursday, September 7 2006

To mark the Fifth anniversary of 9/11, a moving Commemorative Ceremony was held in the University's Memorial Courtyard. Greetings were extended by University President Lois B. DeFleur and Michael Schiffman, SA President. Guest speaker, Chaplain Jacob Goldstein, the Senior Chaplain for all components and branches of the military assigned to the World Trade Center for five months, spoke of his own experiences when he was deployed on Sept. 11 and in the months that followed. He spoke of the devastation he
witnessed but also of the heroism he saw and the resilience and majesty of the human spirit. Rivkah Slonim chaired the event and urged those in attendance to take heart, go forward and make this world a better place, one good deed at a time.

Shouts, Cries, Exclamations of Joy, Groans of Disappointment - all of this and more filled the air as students enjoyed the first Chabad Cafe of the semester with Ice Cream, Pastries, Coffees and a serious Pictionary Tournament. This was not a night for the faint hearted!

Ice Cream and Icebreakers

- Sunday, August 27 2006

Welcome Back BBQ a Sizzling Hit!

- Wednesday, August 30 2006

On the Sunday night before classes Chabad held a special event for the
Freshmen and Transfer students: Sundaes on Sunday. Participants enjoyed a
fun night with delicious ice cream sundaes, chocolate fondues and icebreaker games that left everyone knowing everyone else just a little bit better.

A great crowd enjoyed chillin' with cool people and the great food at
Chabad's Welcome Back BBQ.

Alumni Reunion at NYC's Puck Building!

- Thursday, August 17 2006

Welcome Back Shabbaton

- Weekend of August 25 2006

Chabad's Alumni Reunion held on Thursday, August 17 was a resounding success with over two decades of Chabad alumni represented at  the elegant and fun even held in the historic Puck Building in Manhattan. Shouts of excitement and joy filled the air as people reconnected, shared good news and spied friends they had not seen in some time. After lots of socializing at  the cocktail reception, the crowd ( almost 200 attendees) moved in to the main area for a full course dinner and a great program that included an interactive program led by the Drum Cafe. Rabbi Slonim delivered a report on Chabad's activities and shared exciting plans for significant growth of Chabad's programming, staff and facilities. The program was rounded out by wonderful door prizes won by some very lucky recipients. Special thanks to Danny Heumann, the Elaine Heumann Memorial Foundation, all of the evening's sponsors and alum Michael Weltz, proprietor of the Park East Grill Restaurant for the door prizes.

Old friendships were strengthened and new ones forged at the Welcome Back Shabbaton on Friday, August 25. Hundreds of BU students gathered at Chabad House for "cocktails" and shmoozing, followed by candle lighting, Kabbalat Shabbat services and of course Chabad's famous, home cooked, full course dinner. An auspicious start to a great year!