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Name: Ivrielle (Evi) M. Simons
Major: Linguistics
Future Plans: Work at a newspaper or magazine in layout/graphic design; possibly grad school in Fall ’03.
If somebody told me in high school, that in a few years I would be observing Shabbat every week, keeping strict kosher and studying Talmud, I would have thought they were crazy. But here I am, four years after high school doing all of those things, and owing it all to Chabad.
Judaism has always been a part of my life, but it has never been as salient before as it is now. With all of their programs, classes, services, and wonderful people, it’s hard not to want to get more involved. I am so grateful for everything Chabad has done for me; as a Jew and as a Binghamton University student. I met all of my closest friends here (except for one who I came here with), and I know that I will remain close with them because of all the wonderful Chabad experiences. Shabbat dinner and services has been my refuge every week. School is notorious for bringing stress along with every new week, and Shabbat dinner breaks the stress and allows me to just relax.
When I came here as a freshman, Binghamton did not have a Hillel like it does now, and Chabad really took charge of everything about Jewish life. They really got me involved with everything and now that there’s a Hillel, there are joint programs that reach out to so many students on and off campus.
Even though it upsets my parents when I call Binghamton, “home,” I’m sure even they would be able to understand me calling Chabad, “my home and family.” That’s really what I feel about Chabad and the wonderful people here in the Chabad community.
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