Name: Jaclyn Levy Major: Psychology Future Plans: Attending Pace University for my doctorate in School-Clinical Child Psychology A large part of my decision to come to Binghamton for college was because I believed it would be the best place for me to be part of a thriving Jewish student body. My Jewish identity has always been strong, and I wanted to be somewhere where it could be enhanced. I found that being at Binghamton has given me the opportunity to be exposed to Jews from different backgrounds and levels of observance, and to think more seriously about the role Judaism plays in my life. I don't feel that my Jewish identity has been altered much over the past 4 years, but rather that I have learned a great deal from the wide range of people that I have met and the numerous events that I have attended. My favorite annual event at Binghamton would have to be the Purim Carnival. No matter how much work I might have had to do that night, for a few hours I got to be a kid. Certain parts of the carnival became tradition for me, like going to bounce in the moonwalk first thing every year. I loved dressing up with my friends, and have terrific memories of being a card from Alice in Wonderland and Minnie Mouse. I also feel that the carnival is an important event because it extends to the entire campus community; observant and non-observant Jews and non-Jews alike have fun together for an evening. The best thing about the Purim Carnival is that while we are celebrating, we are also helping a good cause, by donating the money to Children of Chernobyl. Chabad House plays a central role in the Jewish experience at Binghamton. My Friday nights would have been drastically different if Chabad did not exist in Binghamton. Chabad provides a large, extended family with whom students can daven, celebrate Shabbat, and of course, eat (I never ate potato salad before trying Rivky's). While other Jewish campus programs plan terrific events for students, Chabad does it with love. Chabad provides tremendous outreach to students, and this is what keeps them returning week after week. Overall, I feel that the Jewish experience at Binghamton is excellent. However, I would like to see more people from the campus community involved in Jewish life. There are so many Jewish students who do not get involved. Events like the Purim Carnival and Shabbat 1000 have proven to be effective in getting these students involved, but I would like to see more Jewish students attending events throughout the entire year.