I came to Binghamton as a half-Jew (my father is Jewish) who wasn’t raised with any particular Jewish identity at all. I am leaving Binghamton now as someone who is strongly considering conversion to Judaism. I was always raised with the knowledge that I was “part Jewish” and that this was special – but that was about the extent of it. My years at Binghamton have reawakened the part of my soul that is Jewish and as a result I have begun an incredible spiritual odyssey that may very possibly result in my fully joining the Jewish people.
I remember coming to Chabad for the first time in sophomore year. My friend Jon invited me along – I was curious and just wanted to hang out with my friends, most of whom were Jewish. Being at Chabad felt weird at first, but before long, I began to feel not just comfortable, but that I had “come home” in a sense. After that, the rest is history; I was hooked. This was where I belonged, this is where my ancestors were, and this is where I have to be. So I immersed myself in Jewish life at Binghamton University.
At first, I did this out of solidarity with the Jewish people. I worked on behalf of pro-Israel causes, I went to other Jewish events and I felt myself to be a great friend of the Jews. Then slowly, but surely, something happened. You can’t participate in Jewish life for very long without beginning to sense the extent to which Judaism makes everything it touches holy. That’s the whole point of the Mitzvot, after all – to elevate ordinary activities to the status of holiness, to praise God by the act of living. So I began to not just live with Jews, but to live Judaism. I plunged myself into the study of Torah and I incorporated as much of Judaism into my life as I could. I began with a love for the people of Israel and the nation of Israel, and it led me to a love of the Torah of Israel.
Many Jewish events over the last four years have held special importance to me. Shabbat dinner at the Chabad house has been of supreme significance. Many a week, after feeling burned out and discouraged, spending Shabbat with all my friends at Chabad was a refreshing and life restoring experience. Shabbat became for me an island of tranquility where I could escape the travails of life and just be with my friends.
Pro-Israel activism was also a vital part of my Jewish life here at Binghamton. Fighting for the future of the Jewish people and for what is right was something I felt that I had to do. Most important of all, however, was when I went to Israel in winter 2002 with Birthright Israel. Going to Eretz Yisrael with my friends and mentors at Chabad was a turning point in my life and an incredible experience that will be with me forever.
Finally, I would just like to say a final word of thanks to Chabad. Rabbi Slonim and Rabbi Creeger have helped me immeasurably during my time here at Binghamton. I don’t know what my life would be like today if I had not discovered Judaism. The Chabad House has have been there every step of the way, guiding me, answering questions, and helping me to bear my doubts and burdens and to make sense of it all. I shall always be grateful for the guidance that they have given to me in this most important journey. I know that I will always be in touch with the people at Chabad. In several important respects they helped me to find myself – they led me home.