Carrie Joseph Psychology and Judaic studies Next year I'm planning on going to yeshiva in Israel and to pursue a career in writing Somehow between the lecture hall and the library, I learned something about the Jewish soul while in Binghamton. I thought that I was religious when I came here because I kept Shabbos and ate Kosher. It turns out, though, that religious Jews aren't so structurally defined. It's very simple, actually. At Chabad house you eat homemade challah and potato salad, with pickles, on Friday night. The pasta salad is best when topped with curry dressing and the dill potato salad only comes out once in a while. You sit with your friends and you are surrounded by Shabbos. It doesn't matter if you're going out later or going home to learn some Torah - because while you're eating the Matzo ball soup, you are consuming Shabbos. We're all religious. The Purim carnival taps into the organizational strengths of Fraternities and Sororities. The Women's cabaret opens avenues of Jewish expression through art and theatre. For me, the classes have been immensely significant. I've gained a lot learning in an environment that doesn't commonly lend itself to religious pursuit. As Jews, through Chabad House we are connected to the Jewish Community in Binghamton. We get chances to break bread with community members and professors on Shabbos. We are invited to community simchas, we gather together for lectures, and even take classes with the community. The coming together of Jews (in Binghamton!) has helped me understand what it means to have a Jewish Soul.