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Name: Annie Jacobs
Major: Environmental Studies
Minor: Biology
Future Plans: Conservation, Tropical Ecology
I arrived at Binghamton as a junior, fresh from a year at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies on Kibbutz Ketura in Israel's Negev desert. The year was an amazing one in many ways, and was largely my introduction to Judaism as a religion and spiritual way of life; I grew up in a secular Jewish and spiritually diverse household. While on the kibbutz I came to love Shabbat as a day of rest, contemplation, talking and sharing. I also internalized many songs, Hebrew words, food and more. These things became integral and valuable to my life. In Binghamton, I discovered that Chabad, though more religious than my experience, was an amazingly embracing, loving environment offering Shabbat services and dinner that made me feel at home in this new spot so far from the Negev desert. I was able to further explore Judaism and learn from some great people. Now I am a graduating senior, and I heartily thank the Slonims, the Creegers and others for always, always welcoming me at any time. I thank the Chabad House for being a Jewish connection for me here as well as holiday celebrations, a wonderful outlet for expression during the women's cabarets, special friends and more. During my time here, Chabad has never ceased to offer open doors and warmth to me. Toda raba.
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