Not Just Another Building: Chabad at UT Dedication

AUSTIN, TX [CHI] — On a Sunday in November, 2009, Rabbi Zev Johnson opened the event with inspirational words from the Torah portion of the week, Lech Lecha, as over 150 friends, supporters and students came together to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center @ UT.

The Chabad House is not just a building. It is a place where any Jewish student can feel comfortable; where they can learn about their Jewish heritage with no pressure. There are spaces for large Shabbat and holiday celebrations, lectures and special events, and spaces for smaller groups to connect; spaces for study and research, spaces to meet and plan, spaces to relax and play, spaces for lounging and conversation, spaces to find counsel and comfort in times of need.

The seeds for this project were sown in early 2007 when Rabbi Zev and Ariela Johnson moved to Austin as co-directors of the Chabad House at UT.

“The Chabad Student Center has been meeting the needs of Jewish students at the University of Texas since 1971,” said Rabbi Zev, “however, by 2007 the building was desperately in need of renovation.”

Their arrival was the springboard for the building project and helped transform the Chabad Jewish Student Center @ UT to the beauty and vision of what we now see.

Mr. George Rohr, a major supporter of Chabad on Campus, agreed to give a larger than normal commitment, without which this renovation would not have moved forward. This provided the impetus for Rabbi Zev to begin the capital campaign. Thanks to a number of generous donors who immediately jumped on board, the renovation was on its way. Recognizing a need for a place where Jewish UT Students can gather for Shabbat, classes, or just to socialize, donors were eager to make it happen. Fortunately, this all came together very quickly because if they had waited another six months, events in the financial world would not have allowed them to undertake this project.

“We have a great building of which everyone can be proud”, said Jeffrey Cohen, father of Ariela Johnson, “and more importantly, of which the students of UT can feel pride.”

“The student reaction to the renovation has been phenomenal,” said Rabbi Zev. “Every week, hundreds of students come through the doors, particularly to our anchor program of Shabbat, where we host anywhere from 100-150 students on average.” The renovation has allowed Chabad to shine even further and to reach and engage even more students than ever before.

The weekend began with a Shabbat dinner, attended by over 100 students and out-of- town guests. The camaraderie and unity of the students were palpable. The spirit, food and being with good friends, left everyone feeling revitalized as they got lost in the melodies, laughter and stories. This was family.

On Shabbat day, the celebration continued with an inspirational Shabbat service followed by lunch. A number of people spoke spontaneously about the impact of Chabad at UT. Jeff Fine of Dallas, whose son Ben Fine has been an integral part of helping the renovation move forward, spoke about the relationships created here. He spoke of how he and his wife, Pam, were able to see for themselves what Ben had described to them. Lizzy Rosenberg Greif of Dallas told of how growing up in Dallas her parents always invited people to their home so they could hear Kiddush and enjoy a Shabbat meal. She saw the same spirit of Shabbat replicated here. She was moved to see many Akiba Alumni amongst the students at the Shabbat table. Murray Johnson, father of Rabbi Zev, moved people to tears as he described the story of his parents and their fight for survival in the Bielski Partisan Brigade. Murray’s father fought to save the lives of many Jews during the Holocaust. Now, his grandson, Zev, who carries his name, is enhancing the lives of so many young Jewish students.

In his speech on Sunday, Rabbi Zev emphasized that the message of Lech Lecha is still relevant for us in 2009, 5770.

“G-d asks each and everyone of us to go, to go out of ourselves, to go out of not only the boundaries that life may impose upon us, but to go out as well of the boundaries that we sometimes impose upon ourselves”, said Rabbi Zev. “He tells us that we need to move forward and accomplish. By going within yourself (lecha), tapping into your essence and revealing your true inner goodness, your true potential, your true self; this is how we go and move forward.”

Rabbi Zev reiterated how the donors have moved forward by pushing themselves to give more charity. The students have done this by choosing to be at Chabad for Shabbat or a program, instead of being consumed by the many distractions of campus life.

The Rabbi thanked the supporters, friends and family; his mother, father and grandmother, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law who were instrumental in making the project a success. He went on to especially thank the students, the future leaders, “the true beauty and energy of this building,” for being involved and sharing this great accomplishment

Rabbi Yosef Levertov, Head Shaliach of Austin Texas, then spoke about the purpose of a campus Chabad house. He was followed by Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, Head Shaliach of Maryland, who spoke on behalf of Chabad on Campus International and Mr. George Rohr.

Ariela Johnson then called on her father, Mr. Jeffrey Cohen. “Without his inspiration and help, the project would not have become a reality,” said Ariela. “He saw an opportunity to create something outstanding in Austin for Jewish Students.” Mr. Cohen cut the ribbon to resounding cheers and applause.

The ceremony was followed by a Texas style BBQ where the students and donors became acquainted while admiring the magnificent building.

Rabbi Zev and Ariela and the Jewish Longhorns thank all those who helped make this dream possible; “To everyone who contributed, no matter how much”, said Rabbi Zev, “every contribution is meaningful and important.”

Rabbi Zev and Ariela did not see an obstacle, rather an opportunity; an opportunity to further and better the Jewish life here on campus. Rabbi Zev concluded, “May we, always seize the opportunities of life and make sure to make a difference wherever we may be. As an alumn of UT, I am always reminded of the motto of UT. What starts here, changes the world.”