Being raised in a traditional household, I knew the Jewish identity my parents instilled in me was very important to hold on to when I came to college. Even though I did not start attending Chabad until late in my freshmen year the first time that I attended Chabad was the road to a new journey. Who knew that being asked by a girl on my floor to come to Chabad would open my mind to a different lifestyle? As the weeks went by and I saw more familiar faces, I started to feel more at home. Rabbis Slonim and Creeger, Rivky and Dina, were very welcoming with a smile and a “Good Shabbos”, which was one of the main reasons I felt so special. They were very warm each time I came and they even remembered my name after introducing myself just once. (I guess I have that affect on people.) The friendships I formed made my transition that much easier. I felt like being Jewish was a lot easier with these friends around me. I know that there is a reason that I met these people and everyday I come across new realizations why they are my friends. Sitting in the sukkah eating breakfast, learning with someone (or the most important) having a slumber party with my best friends every Shabbos are just some of the memories I can thank Chabad for giving me.
Chabad House has made my years at Binghamton University unforgettable. My time spent at Chabad either learning, running the Purim carnival raffle, and singing and talking in the kitchen Thursday nights while baking birthday cakes for Shabbos has always made me feel like an important member of the Chabad family. Finding the time to bang out every book in Chabad and vacuum all the chairs has taught me the true cleaning experience for Pesach. There are no words to describe the impact Chabad House has made on my life. Accepting me from the first day I walked in there until the last day I walk out as a student will be something that I will keep in my heart forever. I would just like to say “Thank You” for everything that you have done for making my religious journey a positive one that I will keep alive forever.
Mazal Tov to the Class of 2004!