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.”

» JAMIE BAUM

L'22 “Chabad has been a place that students can rely on for genuine connection and care.”

» VIKKI KALBACHER

SP2'21 “Thank you so much for my Chanukah care package, and for always making me feel special and loved.”

» JOELI ERTEL

W'21 “Chabad leaned in to these strange times and sought creative new ways to engage students. They remind me how grateful I am for my vibrant Jewish community.”

» ILANA GITLIN

V.M.D. '22 “Chabad at Penn remained steady. No matter what, I knew that I had a warm and loving community to spend holidays & Shabbat with in a safe way.”

Ever Heard of a Sukkah Village? How About a Sukkah Bike?

This fall, the University limited gatherings to 25 people (distanced). Chabad came up with the idea not just to provide a sukkah for students to celebrate, but to create a whole village of sukkahs to accommodate as many students as possible. In the empty lot across Spruce Street, Chabad built four large, and “Covid safe,” open-walled sukkahs, each able to safely host 25 students at a time. The first night of Sukkot saw over 80 socially distant participants across 3 sukkahs, each served individual meals by a team of waiters. Over 350 students joined sukkot events. On other days and nights of the holiday, Chabad hosted group specific events, such as a Freshmen BBQ, Law Students BBQ, MBA students dinner, Grad students mixer, Sushi in the Sukkah event for AEPI, JHP and more. The sukkahs were constantly filled with people and individually packaged food, truly creating a village feel right in the middle of student living. Once again, Chabad’s innovative talent surfaced in providing the opportunity for over 120 students to bless the lulav and etrog by building a sukkah bike, bringing the four kinds and a sukkah right to the students’ doors, known as Lulav Prime.

Chabad Zoom Program Highlights

Left: Ron Dermer, Israel's Ambassador to the US and Penn alum

Right: Lior Raz from the Netflix series Fauda

Senior Reflections: A Virtual Sendoff

This year’s Senior Sendoff event went virtual. Using Zoom, graduating seniors joined virtually from their own homes, coming together to share L’chaims for reaching this milestone in their lives, to share reflections on their times at Penn, and to laugh at their fondest memories from Chabad. Two Penn alumni also joined and shared the do’s and don’ts of moving on to the next stage in life.

Jonathan Schottenstein W’04, President &

COO of American Signature Furniture, shared his fond memories from his time at Penn and told students the most important thing in life is their faith in G-d, and how that truly centers everything one does. He told the seniors that life will

NOAH WERKSMAN

W'20 “Chabad was always a home away from home for me. Going there provided

an opportunity to get my

mind off the stresses of school. I'm grateful to the Haskelevich family for being a second family to me and all the students.”

GABRIEL BEN-JACOV

C'20 “Chabad is truly special—it

is amazing to have been a part of such a vibrant

community at Penn. Thank you for encouraging me, and all of us, to do more mitzvahs and to be more involved.” have many amazing times, along with bumps and challenges along the way, and when we remember that what is happening is what G-d wants for us, it will help us through those times.

Jason Ostheimer W’04, co-founder and partner

of Advancit Capital, shared his appreciation for what Shabbat has brought to his life. He recalled his years of working crazy long hours, often until 3:00 am, and how observing Shabbat created an island of peace within his week. Shabbat has given him a time to take a step back and reflect on what is important. Graduates received a parting gift from Chabad via mail and were profiled on Chabad social media.

JAIME MOREINUS

W'20 “Thank you to Rabbi Levi and Nechama for opening up your home and being there for us so many times. Sinai Scholars explained so much about real life and practical things—that was really unique, and I’m so grateful.”

DANIELLE COLLINS

C'20 “I spent a lot of time at Chabad, which was such a great decision. I was there for every Shabbat meal, and each one was special. I’m so grateful to be a part of this Chabad family and will be forever!”

BRITTANY LEVY C'20 “When I first came to Penn, I was a lot less into Judaism than I am now. As soon as I got accepted to Penn, Rabbi Levi reached out for a warm welcome, and I got involved at Chabad freshman year. The experiences I had and the people I met impacted the rest of my Penn journey. I spent a summer in Israel after Birthright with Chabad, which changed my relationship with Judaism forever. I am eternally grateful!”

Joseph Safra Memorial Service

A memorial service was held for Mr. Joseph Safra ה"ע, on Thursday, January 7th in the Beit Yaacov Synagogue of the Chabad House at Penn. Mishnayot were studied in between the Mincha and Maariv services, corresponding to letters of the name Yosef. Rabbi Ephraim Levin shared some deeper insights from the teachings of Chassidus regarding those Mishnah passages, as well as the memorial commemoration in general. Mr. Safra was the founder of the Beit Yaacov Synagogue together with his sons, Jacob, Alberto, and David. May the soul of Yosef ben Yaacov ה"ע have an elevation and bring blessings and success to his family in the merit of his tremendous kindness and generosity towards the Jewish community at large.