When I first came to Binghamton as a freshman, it was a Friday, and that night I found my way to the Chabad House, expecting to find services, a quiet meal, and hopefully to meet a few new people. What I got was an unforgettable Shabbos with a wonderful family, and around 200 other students. It was there that I met people who have since become some of my best friends, friends that I know will last forever.
While the major events that Chabad organizes annually like the Purim carnival and Shabbat for a 1000 are absolutely amazing and continue to draw together hundreds of people in celebration, what I will most likely never forget are the smaller and subtler details that make the students feel special; making sure that every single person who comes to Friday night dinner receives a birthday cake, as well as a card sent to them wishing them a happy birthday; making sure that absolutely everyone has a place to sit and eat, even if it means setting up a whole new table right on the spot; letting us know each Shabbos via email that we are welcome to come over on Shabbos afternoon anytime that we can make it (especially helpful for a non-morning person like myself who didn’t actually make it to the davening too often!). Chabad at Binghamton makes the students feel as though we aren’t merely visitors to their house on a weekly basis, but that we are an extended part of their family, welcome to come and hang out at any time (and I’d like to thank you for personally allowing me to perfect my ping-pong skills at the table downstairs). On a larger scale, Chabad has even brought a Shabbos meal to the students who live off-campus, like myself, making sure that we know that they are always there for us, no matter where we are.
Chabad has been a very important part of my college experience, and it has helped me grow as an individual and as a Jew. The last four years have just flown by, and as I leave, I know that I will take these experiences with me into the future, and that Chabad will always be a part of my life in some form. Thank you for everything (especially the potato and pasta salads which I’ve never had better anywhere else!). I hope that you can continue to change and enrich the lives of countless other students who will pass through the school, and help them grow as I have. I won’t say goodbye, but see you soon, as I’m sure I’ll be back to visit Chabad in the near future!