Happenings at Chabad of Binghamton:

Midnight Madness: Food Galore as the Clock Strikes Twelve

- Tuesday, December 11 2007

Just when everyone is completely stressed from finals, Chabad comes to the rescue to serve up omelettes, pancakes, smoothies, and more to rejuvenate the mind and body.

This semester's Midnight Madness took place on Tuesday, December 11, and featured a Menorah Lighting for the last night of Chanukah by Student President Abie Mizrahi along with a full range of breakfast foods to get everyone back up and running to ace their exams.

Chodesh Circle Events

Spectacular Formal/Comedy Shabbaton

- Friday, December 7 2007

Each month the ladies get together to celebrate the new moon. For Rosh Chodesh Kislev we enjoyed an enlightening presentation by Joy Mushabac who traced the history of courtship and dating in America over the centuries. Thought provoking conversation flowed throughout the night. For Rosh Chodesh Tevet which fell at the beginning of final week we enjoyed stress busters such as yoga exercises, face masks and smoothies. The best part of each part is, of course, the bonding!

The last Shabbat of the semester was truly spectacular. First off, it was Shabbat Chanukah. Second it was our very first Formal Shabbat with the Chabad House decorated, the menu and table settings all dressed up and most students dressed to kill! If that were not enough, comedian Mike Weiner entertained on Friday night and led a Non-Violent Communication workshop on Shabbat afternoon. Not a Shabbat we will forget!

Pictured are a group of students who worked far into the night to decorate the Chabad House.

You Can Light Up a Life!

Let There Be Light at BU!

- Sunday-Tuesday, December 1-3 2007

The Chabad House in partnership with the sisters of Alpha Phi Sorority and brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon brought the Binghamton University community a unique Chanukah celebration with the "You Can Light up a Life" Menorah.
Weeks before Chanukah students began collecting money from their peers to purchase hundreds of #10 cans of food. With the $1800 collected, over two tons of canned food were purchased. For the first night of Chanukah a huge Menorah was constructed of these cans and the Menorah was lit in a ceremony attended by over 300 students. The next morning the Menorah was disassembled and the cans delivered to CHOW. At the Chanukah Extravaganza students enjoyed the Menorah lighting ceremony, hot latkes and apple cider, chocolate gelt, donuts, and a min-concert by the Crosbys. University President Lois DeFleur was on hand for the ceremony and expressed her pride in this great project.

Over 1200 Chanukah Kits containing a Menorah, box of candles, gelt and a dreidel plus a brochure with the blessings for Menorah kindling and other Chanukah information were distributed at Binghamton University by the Chabad House.Students set up "Chanukah Kiosks" in the Dining Halls, Library, Union and Lecture Halls distributing the kits during lunch and Dinner hour. Chabad House also worked with the residential life administrators to develop a code within which students could safely light their Menorahs in the dorms. "The response to this campaign was overwhelming," said a student involved. "People were so happy that we made these kits available to them for free. Some students belong to synagogues that send them kits but most don't. Our campaign served to remind people that Chanukah was upon us, although we were in the midst of exams and final papers and our kits just made it so easy for people to fulfill this mitzvah. We even provided them with matchbooks!"

BU Women Enjoy a Special Nite

Ashkafardic Night: A Fusion of Jewish Culture

- Saturday Night, November 17 2007

On Thursday, November 29, Chabad House held its annual Women's Dinner and Cabaret in celebration of the talented Jewish women at Binghamton University. The evening began with a Mexican dinner but the highlight was clearly the show. Participating students sang a capella, performed instrumentals, presented dramatic monologues and comedic pieces, read their poetry and danced. One woman even taught Tai Kwan Do moves to the enthusiastic audience. A gallery of original paintings and photographs adorned the walls and crafts were on display as well. The Pegs, BU's all women a capella group, as well as the women of Kaskeset, BU's Jewish a capella group ,and the Orchises, a dance troupe, performed as well. The evening concluded with a dessert buffet. " The evening was special in so many ways. The talent of these girls never ceases to amaze me and the spirit of sisterhood engendered at this event is powerful and nourishing," said Rivkah Slonim.

A plethora of students came out on Saturday Night, November 17 for Ashkafardic Night. A huge celebration of Jewish culture, the night kicked off with a musical Havdalah ceremony - with both Sephardic and Ashkenazic melodies - to mark the beginning of a new week. Participants then enjoyed over twenty-five delectable dishes originating from all over the world in a candlelit atmosphere with background music from many world regions. Several students and Rivky told their families' stories, with a trivia contest interlude and the debut of the new Chabad sweatshirts (catch one at the Chabad table Mondays and Thursdays in the New Union!). Many participants took advantage of the henna booth as well. Everyone learned quite a bit about our multifaceted backgrounds in the warm atmosphere found in the amazingly transformed Chabad Great Room.

Shala Shudis Strikes Again

It's a Bingo!

- Thursday, October 25 2007

The Shala Shudis/Seudat Shlishit group took over Skate Estate on Saturday night, November 3. The approximately thirty participants roller skated and bladed around the rink and then relaxed while savoring delicious ice cream at the nearby Friendly's.

Shala Shudis/Seudat Shlishit is, literally, the "Third meal." It is a light meal that takes place prior to the end of Shabbat on Saturday evenings, at times that vary depending on the end time of Shabbat. The atmosphere is relaxed, and many people come each week to enjoy each others camaraderie as Shabbat draws to a close. The group always welcomes newcomers, so stop by and see what the buzz is all about!

The Fall 2007 Chabad Cafe on Thursday, October 25 featured Bingo with a huge assortment of prizes including gift cards, t-shirts and free pizza at Chabad House. After bingo caller Bernie Sonenberg warmed everyone up with a few simple games in the style of famed Kutsher's "Bingo Man" Tom Barry, Master of Ceremonies David Shmookler's bingo-twisting antics kept the crowd laughing as everyone scrambled to become the first to call a hearty "BINGO!" Everyone who came enjoyed a great time of bonding and bingo, so make sure not to miss next semester's cafe nights!

Knead a Break?

Go Team Chabad!

- Throughout the Semester

There is nothing as good for the soul as a good old fashioned Challah Baking Workshop.

Chabad intramural sports teams are making headway this semester as they challenge many teams from the entire BU community. Below is a team photo of the soccer team. Contact Abie to participate!

Chabad Games It!

Beauty Within and Without - Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Women's Circle

- Thursday, October 11 2007

On Saturday night, October 13, Chabad took over the Game-It gaming complex in Endicott. The evening featured Laser Tag in the dark, fog-filled 2,000-square-foot laser tag arena, as well as the blazing-fast batting cage and ever-popular miniature golf. Air hockey was also a huge draw, with heated matches throughout the night; the puck and handles could often be seen flying off the table as the intensity increased. Some nostalgic gamers enjoyed the tunnels, tubes and slides. The evening was capped by two gamers winning a huge inflatable monkey, which they transported home in a yet-to-be-identified manner. All in attendance had a fantastic time.

For Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan the Chodesh Circle enjoyed make-overs, lots of samples and a though provoking presentation on inner beauty by Yael Lewin.

Chabad Goes Apple Picking

Jazzukah!

- Tuesday, September 25 2007

Apple Picking in the Fall in the Southern Tier: what could be more seasonal, regional and fun?

A few students performed the ancient pre Yom Kippur  Kapparot ritual with
live chicken at Chabad House; many more performed Kapparot with money.
Stirring, explanatory Yom Kippur services were held on campus; the break
fast held jointly with Hillel was a great ( and delicious) ending to an
uplifting day.

Sukkot at BU

Yom Kippur at BU

- Friday - Shabbat, September 21-22

Despite the inclement weather hundreds of students turned out to eat in the
Chabad Sukkah even if it was only Kiddush and Hamotzi we managed for some
of the meals.We had some beautiful meals in the Sukkah and even had some intrepid souls
sleep in the Sukkah as well. Sukkahs were also ubiquitous on campus with a Sukkah Mobile and two pop up
Sukkahs strategically dotting the landscape bringing mitzos on the spot for
Students on the Go! Hundreds of students shook and blessed over the lulov
and Etrog each day of the holiday.

A few students performed the ancient pre Yom Kippur  Kapparot ritual with
live chicken at Chabad House; many more performed Kapparot with money.
Stirring, explanatory Yom Kippur services were held on campus; the break
fast held jointly with Hillel was a great ( and delicious) ending to an
uplifting day.

Knead a break? Come to Challah Baking!

Welcome Back Barbecue

- Wednesday, August 29 2007

At least twice each semester Rivky leads a Challah Baking Workshop to share
the secret of mixing, kneading, shaping and baking the world's most
delicious break and more importantly to share the background and laws
concerning the great Mitzvah of "taking Challah." If you've never come you
owe it to yourself to attend the next one. You don't knead any experience
to join in the fun!

Freshmen and upperclass students were greeted with a sizzling welcome to the new school year, with burgers and hot dogs, smiles, games, new friendships and horseplay abounding.

Women's Rosh Chodesh Circle - Tishrei

Sixth Annual Mitzvah Marathon

- Tuesday, September 11 2007

At least twice each semester Rivky leads a Challah Baking Workshop to share
the secret of mixing, kneading, shaping and baking the world's most
delicious break and more importantly to share the background and laws
concerning the great Mitzvah of "taking Challah." If you've never come you
owe it to yourself to attend the next one. You don't knead any experience
to join in the fun!

For the first year since the inception of the program six years ago, the campus wide Mitzvah Marathon commemorating 9/11 had to be moved into an indoor venue due to inclement weather. Despite this setback which did not allow for the usual exposure to students going back and forth to classes, the marathon drew the participation of over 800 students who did a mitzvah to honor the memory of the victims. A wall of remembrance was erected on which were hung the pictures of victims, each attached to a card which had the name of a BU student and the mitzvah they performed in memory of the victim. Students contributed to various charities, donated blood, made peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches for the homeless, made get well cards for children in hospitals and holiday cards for Jewish troops, donned tefillin, said prayers, and pledged to conserve energy among other mitzvah options.

The Mitzvah Marathon is spearheaded by the Chabad House Jewish Student Center and co-sponsored by Hillel and the Jewish Heritage Program. The Mitzvah Marathon project was initiated by Chabad House in 2002; to date, the program is duplicated on over fifteen campuses.

Women's Rosh Chodesh Circle - Tishrei

Welcome Back Barbecue

- Wednesday, August 29 2007

The first Rosh Chodesh Circle event of the year drew an enthusiastic crowd
of women who shared stories and recipes and cooked up a storm of Rosh
Hashana foods. The group also explored the symbolism of the many special
foods eaten on Rosh Hashana. We can' t wait for the next Rosh Chodesh event
scheduled for Oct. 11 focusing on Beauty within and without with makeup
artist in residence, advise and plenty of free samples for everyone!

Freshmen and upperclass students were greeted with a sizzling welcome to the new school year, with burgers and hot dogs, smiles, games, new friendships and horseplay abounding.

Knock-Out Bagel Brunch for Freshmen

Welcome Back Shabbaton 5767/2007

- Friday, August 24 2007

A great crowd of Freshmen students turned out to enjoy a delicious bagel
breakfast featuring pancakes and omelettes plus great ice breaking games and
a wicked game of Wha! The class of '11 appears to be a great new crew!

Hundreds of students-- Freshmen and returning students enjoyed their first
weekend back at Chabad. The party never stopped with a record crowd turning out for Pizza on Thursday night and to help set tables and get ready for Shabbat. On Friday night, despite a terrific thunderstorm a huge crowd
showed up bonding under the tent during services during a torrential downpour. But all is well that ends well with a delicious, full course dinner spiced with Shabbat songs and special spice called Shabbat@Chabad.
Shabbat day the Chabad House rocked with morning services, lunch, games and naps on choice couches, a record crowd at Shalashudis and Havdallah.