CHABAD HOUSE AT PENN

WINTER ■ 2021

ד״סב

PERELMAN CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE Campus Update

Adapting to the New Situation

As Penn announced its closure to in-person classes last spring, Chabad at Penn went into high-gear, creatively finding ways to support students during the unique and unchartered situation in which the world found itself. For the students still on campus, in place of our signature Shabbat dinners, we offered Shabbat-to-go, a box filled with Shabbat candles, grape juice, Nechama’s homemade challah, and a full, delicious and wholesome dinner, including dessert (all homemade!). The box included a how-to guide for making your own Shabbat dinner, the blessings for candles, kiddush and challah, as well as the Birkat Hamazon and a Dvar Torah about the weekly Torah portion. Students were exceptionally grateful for the “taste of home,” the “feeling of being cared for” and even the ability to break up the week by getting out and having an outdoor, socially distanced, and masked chat with Rabbi Levi while picking up their personalized boxes. As one student wrote, “The Shabbat-to-Go boxes have been a light in a time of darkness. I am so grateful.”

Passover 2020

With the approach of Passover, seeing that Chabad’s large scale seders were not possible, Chabad kicked into gear to provide seder catering for students who weren’t able to travel home, Passover food to go, as well as pre-Passover Zoom sessions. Yisroel Haskelevich, age 13, taught a session on the laws of Passover, in addition to Rabbi Levi’s pre-holiday inspirational message. For students celebrating at home, Chabad sent hand-made Shmurah matzah to over 250 families. This made it possible for students to fulfill the mitzvah of eating matzah with intentionally made matzah, ideal for performing the mitzvah. We also published the Penn Haggadah, which included commentaries written by students and staff on various passages of choice. The Haggadah was a beautiful addition to over 300 seders across the country.

When High Holidays Left the Synagogue

From the Students: Staying at Penn

As the High Holidays approached, many wondered how they would celebrate without the familiar large-scale services to which we have all become accustomed. Students who were living around campus joined together for unforgettable outdoor and distanced services. Our large, open-sided tent in the Chabad House parking lot was filled to safe capacity, as many students did not travel home for the holidays due to Covid safety. Chairs spilled out onto Delancey Street to accommodate the crowds of students who appreciated the sense of safety and community that Chabad provided, particularly during the unsettling times. To abide by the state restrictions, Chabad offered three options for Rosh Hashana dinners: an undergrad dinner in the Chabad House tent, a grad student outdoor dinner at a satellite location on Sansom Street, plus the option for Holiday-to-go boxes for those who preferred to stay at home. Chabad also took the Holidays to the streets, coordinating outdoor, distanced Shofar Services across more than seven campus locations at different times throughout Rosh Hashanah. Students who were otherwise not attending services in person were able to fulfill this very important mitzvah, safely and conveniently.

“Chairs spilled out onto Delancey Street to accommodate the crowds of students who appreciated the sense of safety and community that Chabad provided."

» MAX TANENBAUM

W'22 “During the pandemic, Chabad helped out from the start, and they have been there for students when

they needed support and

traditions the most.”

» LINDSAY EVANS

V.M.D. '22 “Chabad at Penn has given me an opportunity to feel community in such an isolating time. Their events have become the highlight of my week.”