Babson College Grants Official Recognition to Chabad Club

After a decade of reaching out to local Jewish students, a Massachusetts Chabad-Lubavitch center’s program has been granted official status by Babson College.

Run by Wellesley Weston Chabad directors Rabbi Moshe and Geni Bleich on the campus of the top-ranked private business school, Babson Chabad joins hundreds of other campus Chabad Houses affiliated with the Chabad on Campus International Foundation.

While for years the Bleichs have been offering Torah classes, Sabbath and holiday meals, and other events for Jewish students at Babson, until recently, Hillel and a fraternity – which has used Wellesley Weston Chabad for kosher catering – had been the only Jewish organizations recognized by the school.

“The [issue] predates me,” said Boris Lipovetsky, a Babson senior who has been attending the Bleichs’ functions since he was a freshman.

“I just felt instantly like I was a member of their family,” he added, noting that he could stop by their house anytime for a home cooked meal or some advice.

When he learned that the Chabad House wasn’t included on the official roster of student organizations, Lipovetsky reached out to school officials. Although a recent Chanukah-menorah making event drew 60 students from a school of only 1,800, routine paperwork wasn’t going to be enough to change the organization’s status.

“Clearly there was this big interest on the part of the students,” related Lipovetsky. “How hard could this really be? But right away I saw there was a lot of red tape.”

Dozens of students set to convincing the administration, even trying to create an alternative Jewish group called the Mitzvah Club.

The turning point came several months ago when students and alumni sent a letter to school officials bearing almost 100 signatures.

“By allowing Chabad to be established alongside Hillel, the College will enhance the diversity of Jewish practices on campus,” the signatories wrote. “In fact, the Chabad experience, which combines authentic [Jewish law] with Chasidic thought and Jewish mysticism, is entirely unavailable in Wellesley outside of the home of the Bleichs.”

A newly-appointed administrator agreed with the request, and the group sought out two on-campus advisors.

“We have a lot of support from many alumni and from a lot of different channels,” said Lipovetsky. “After many years we’re here, we never gave up. Through perseverance, you can achieve anything.”

Larina Kleymerman, a senior who previously served as Hillel president, was instrumental in the recognition effort.

“A lot of students over the years have relied on the rabbi and his wife and Wellesley Chabad. [There were] so many members, but sort of underground,” she said. “It’s so amazing that finally we’re able to get recognized at Babson.”

“Larina is a superstar; she made it happen,” offered David Yarus, who graduated in 2008.

Yarus, who now lives and works in New York City, became active with the Chabad House his last two years at the school.

“I have remained a huge supporter of this cause since then,” he said. “I wanted to plug in Jewishly at school, learn and explore. Chabad was really the only way to do that.”

“Rabbi Moshe and Geni Bleich create a home-away-from-home for Jews of all backgrounds,” said Babson alumnus Jason Bedrick, who graduated in 2005 and attends graduate school at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. “They provide students with an opportunity to learn more about their own rich heritage in an environment that is authentic and non-judgmental.

“This year’s combination of energized students, new administration and a lot of prayer finally bore fruit.”

Along with the new status comes student government funding, which is paying for Babson Chabad’s first official event.

Called “Matzah Mash Up,” the April 8 afternoon party will include a disc jockey, free food, and a chance for students to make authentic handmade unleavened bread. Hundreds of students are expected for the occasion.

“We really want to teach the community about Passover and have them get involved,” said Kleymerman. “It’s been such an amazing journey. We’re really excited to see what the future holds.”