The College Student Leading a Mezuzah Campaign for Jewish Students in China

by Shloimy Galperin – chabad.org

When Owen Roubeni arrived in China as a student at New York University’s Shanghai program, he quickly discovered that the once-in-a-lifetime study abroad opportunity came with unexpected challenges to Jewish life. With no kosher cafeteria options, only a handful of Jewish students scattered across the university, and no on-campus Jewish organizations, maintaining even basic Jewish observance required him to take initiative.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I received the acceptance letter to NYU Shanghai,” Roubeni, a Great Neck native, told Chabad.org. “Originally, I wanted to attend NYU’s campus in New York City, but because of my interest in Chinese culture, I gave the application a shot. I was rather shocked to learn that it was a four-year program on campus in Shanghai, instead of the one-year exchange program I had imagined.”

Shortly after arriving in China in 2023 to study media and business, the traditionally-raised Roubeni began an online search for a Jewish community in his new home. Through the popular Chinese texting platform WeChat, he connected with Rabbi Shalom Greenberg, who directs Chabad-Lubavitch of Shanghai with his wife Dinie since 1998. Soon, Roubeni was a regular at their home. Wrapping tefillin, praying with a minyan, and weekly Shabbat meals were now a regular part of Roubeni’s busy student schedule.

The Jewish population at NYU Shanghai is small, thought to be around 50 out of 2000 students total, and nearby Duke University Kunshan’s numbers are similar. This makes the Jewish students quite the minority. But that didn’t stop Roubeni from taking initiative on campus.

“I quickly realized that there were Halal and other dietary options at the university cafeteria, but there was no Kosher option, so I emailed the board and petitioned for one to be added,” he said. “Although we have a small Jewish student population, it is very important to me to have kosher food.”

Meanwhile, the Greenbergs organized a Kosher food option for the students at the university.

The close relationship deepened last year, when Rabbi Greenberg fell ill.

“In line with the advice of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, to check the mezuzot in one’s home when untoward things seem to be happening, I checked all the mezozot in the house,” Rabbi Greenberg said. “All of them were Kosher, except for one. The mezuzah on my bedroom door wasn’t Kosher. We got it fixed, and now, thank G‑d, I am healthy.”

Seeing the power of this mitzvah and how his mentor Rabbi Greenberg continuously shared the light of Judaism with others, Roubeni was inspired to share the mitzvah with others.

He realized that many of his fellow Jewish students lacked mezuzot on their dorm-room doorways—not because they didn’t want one, but because of the financial and logistical difficulties of getting a hold of them.

“A mezuzah is so small, but what it represents for a Jewish student is huge,” Roubeni shared.

So he launched a grassroots campaign to raise money to acquire mezuzot for his friends and classmates. Generous individuals from around the world quickly donated funds for the project. They blew past their goal of 20 mezuzot, ultimately raising enough to acquire 26 mezuzot. Rabbi Greenberg organized their arrival to Shanghai and immediately supplied them all to students who eagerly awaited them.

“It has been amazing to see how much of a difference these mezuzot have made in the lives of fellow students,” said Roubeni.

As for Rabbi Greenberg, he has found himself inspired and motivated by Roubeni’s mitzvah campaign.

“Who ever would have thought when we arrived over 25 years ago that we would be in a position where a student would take charge of a project like this?” he said. “It’s incredible, and surely bringing much satisfaction and joy to the Rebbe, to see the fruits of his work going on to spread light and Torah of their own accord.”