Things don’t stop at FGCU Chabad

By Rabbi Mendel Gordon

We had an incredible trip to NYC for a weekend, hosted by the Crown Heights Jewish community. We got to experience an incredible, vibrant Jewish community first-hand.

Every minute was amazing, from a lively Friday night Shabbat service with so many Jews to learning about Hatzalah, the Jewish volunteer ambulance service. We had a chance to meet Jewish students from other colleges, enjoy an inspirational visit to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Ohel and were able to join a new Torah dedication, where they block off the streets to dance and parade the new Torah.

Back in Fort Myers, we have had an incredible Shabbaton and Jewish learning field trip with our Sinai Scholars, a group of students who have taken a course to get their Jewish learning up to college level.

Alex Alveraz and Levi Centanni on a kosher scavenger hunt at Publix

We thank Rivky Lebakovsky of Chabad of Cape Coral for giving our group a tour of a Mikva.

And of course, there are the regular, awesome shabbat dinners, classes and Lunch ’n Learns.

Chanuka was a hive of activity, with a grand Chanuka party outdoors on campus, mini parties almost every night and a menorah lighting station outside FGCU’s dining hall.

We are looking forward to next semester with continued growth, fun and Jewish pride.

Like our favorite line, “I love being Jewish.”

Chabad at FGCU serves all Jewish students at FGCU and other nearby colleges.

For more information, or to connect a student, reach out to Rabbi Mendel at 347-452-0489 or mendelgordon @gmail.com or visit our website, ChabadFGCU.com.

Our NYC trip outside 770 Chabad Headquarters