Chabad UCSB Shabbat Around I.V.

A Jewish space filled with love, laughs, and learning, Chabad at UCSB is dedicated to providing every student, regardless of background, philosophy, or level of commitment, an open door environment devoted to strengthening and enhancing Jewish life on campus. Chabad serves individuals looking for a non-judgmental, accepting, personalized Jewish experience, where they’ll be greeted with a warm smile and feel loved and valued. Students come to the Chabad House for… • Delicious and lively Shabbat dinner experiences. • Sinai Scholars Society — a muchloved adult education initiative replete with Jewish learning, exploration, and discussion. • Social action projects — clothing drives for the homeless, making blankets for the less fortunate, and volunteering at local non-profits. • For a sensitive, sympathetic ear, a smile, and a hug. • A place to socialize and relax with other Jewish students with activities including BBQs, spa nights, art nights, and legendary midnight breakfasts! The ethos at Chabad at UCSB is to love, not to judge; to teach, not to dictate; to welcome, and never to exclude. Miri, Rabbi G, and their student board look forward to making you feel at home!

Chabad at UCSB

779 Camino Pescadero Goleta, CA 93117 jewishucsb.com 805.668.1024 Rabbi Gershon Klein rabbi@jewishucsb.com

IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT. Surrounded by his pod and vaccinated friends, Josh and twelve others sit together singing, eating, and celebrating Shabbat. The waves can be heard crashing on the Del Playa cliffs, seagulls can be seen circling above and the sound of Kiddush and tune of “Uvanu Bacharta” is being belted out loud and true.

This scene is being replicated across Isla Vista. Shabbat dinners are being held in fraternity houses, sororities, and private outdoor spaces scattered around the vibrant student town.

The “Shabbat Around I.V.” initiative was spearheaded by members of the Chabad student board in lieu of the “Mega Shabbat” that Chabad hosted every year in the pre-pandemic times.

Mega Shabbat had been an event where three to four hundred students assembled on the Chabad at UCSB lawn each year to celebrate a Shabbat under the stars. This year it was decentralized and satellite Chabad Shabbat dinners were hosted by empowered “Student Hosts” in their own spaces. Liv Benun and Aya Zeplovich majoring in English and Financial Math respectively (and both aspiring teachers incidentally!) were the engines behind the project. Throughout the weeks ahead of the big day Liv and Aya came by the Chabad house to assist with organizing the initiative. They coordinated the hosts, liaised with them throughout the process, and shopped for supplies. Closer to the date they spent many hours assisting with the food prep, apportioning supplies, and illustrating the bags with the most elegant calligraphy. And on Friday they came by early and stayed throughout the day to help the hosts load their cars with supplies, greeting them with a smile, and contributing to a fantastic atmosphere of excitement and unity for what would be the highlight of many a student’s very challenging year!

A special thank you goes to all the other members of the Chabad board who assisted with this initiative and the many COVID safe activities they implemented throughout the year.

And lastly without the loving and caring support of parents, alumni, and friends that sustain the Chabad Jewish community this wonderful initiative wouldn’t have begun to begin. So a big thank you goes to you for caring and creating this goodness!

Miri and Rabbi Gershon Co-directors of Chabad at UCSB

In observance of Shabbat, photos were taken before Shabbat began.