New Campus Shluchim’s First Chanukah

Just in time for Chanukah, Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah Elkan have opened a Chabad Student Center at Oberlin College in Eastern Ohio.

Rabbi Leibel Alevsky, Regional Director of Chabad of Eastern Ohio, announces the opening of a new Chabad Student Center in Oberlin College.

Leading this Chabad House are Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah Elkan, and their children Hadassah (3) and Yanky (1). the Elkans come with past experience working on college campuses in Atlanta, Georgia.

They have been welcomed with open arms and excitement by students, faculty and administration, including by President Marvin Krislov. Many students approach the Rabbi and his wife with many questions about their heritage, or sometimes just a friendly shalom and a smile.

They have already managed to attract a large crowd of students to the Chanukah Menorah Lighting, which brought approximately 60 members of the Oberlin community together to celebrate the Festival. Chris Baymiller, Director of the Oberlin Student Union, was honored with lighting the Shamash candle, for being such a great help to the establishment of the Chabad student group, and first year student Gideon Reiz was honored with lighting the first candle of the menorah. Chabad at Oberlin College also hosts weekly Shabbos dinners and offers classes and one on one learning opportunities for the students.

In addition to servicing the college, Chabad, for the first time ever, is available to the Jewish community of Oberlin as a Jewish outlet.

On Sunday, the fifth night of Chanukah, Chabad and the Oberlin Public Library will be co-hosting a family fun day in honor of Chanukah. The event will include story time and arts and crafts for the children and then a parade of the children to light the Grand 10 foot menorah in the city’s center.