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Third Time’s the Charm: Chabad GW Finds New Home

by Shazreh Khan – GW Hatchet

It’s an oasis at GW. That’s how Rabbi Yudi Steiner describes the newest and third location of Chabad at George Washington University. The Jewish student group recently moved into a new home in Columbia Plaza to open its doors to as many students as possible, spreading faith and sharing meals.

Although Chabad GW initially moved to Columbia Plaza in 2008, it was still too small to accommodate the group’s rapidly growing numbers. The room was cozy and furnished with bookshelves of Jewish texts.

But this semester, Chabad GW moved from its small apartment to a lounge in the same location that can hold up to 200 people.

“Chabad GW outgrew the apartment a long time ago and really needed a landmark. [The new center] is one place that is recognizable. It’s a break from the hustle and bustle of GW life,” Sean Burstyn, junior and president Chabad GW, said. “It’s central, it’s accessible, you have to leave campus, but it isn’t too far.”

In 2008, Steiner was contacted by what he describes as an enthusiastic group of students from GW about the need for a Jewish student center on campus.

“It was an interest of students, the organization Chabad and my own personal passion of mine for it to come to GW,” Steiner said. “In the beginning, five to ten students appealed directly to Chabad. Now 100 to 300 students want to make sure Chabad stays at GW.”

Within two weeks of getting the call, Steiner and his family moved from New York City to a small apartment in D.C. on N Street to start a Chabad branch at GW. Before the move to the larger Columbia Plaza location, the search for a home at GW has been a long struggle for the rabbi and his family.

“It’s supposed to be a home. We call it the Chabad lounge because we want students to feel that once a week they have this home. Real tablecloths, home-cooked food, we never cater,” Steiner said. “We want it to feel like mama is cooking. It’s not an institution, it’s not a business, it’s not even a student organization. It’s a home for Jewish students at GW.”

The administration of Columbia Plaza played a large role in Chabad GW’s change of location. Taking notice of the its work, the administration reached out to the Jewish organization and offered the members an unfinished basement as a new space.

The group hosts many events such as weekly Torah study and pizza, arts and crafts activities and celebrations of holidays. However, Shabbat – the Jewish sabbath – is the focal activity of the new Jewish student center.

The Shabbat dinner is a way for Jewish students to take part in the Friday night dinner they would traditionally have at home.

“There’s no where else in D.C. where you could find 200 students never feeling the urge to touch their phone. They come here and they feel immersed. The feeling is no different from going from your bedroom to going to your dining room at home,” Burstyn said.

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24 Comments

  • Josh

    Kol hakovod Rabbi Yudi….Keep up the Great Work..And rivky on the amazing food for shabbos.

    Thank you!!!!

  • Proud of you!

    Rabbi Yudi and Rivky; two hard working people who are doing amazing work! Lots of luck in your new place!

  • Keep it up!

    I heard from the surrounding Shluchim that they’re doing a great job! Keep it up!

  • Proud uncle and aunt

    Yudi- you got yourself a real balabuste. We are proud of both of you! Keep up the great work! Lots of luck!

  • Looking for shlichus

    Rabbi and Rebbetzin, you are both true role models of devoted Shluchim as well as an inspiration to us(yungeleit)who are at times disillusioned by the politics of Shlichus.

    May you go Machayil El Choyil and continue your holy work of making a Diro B’tachtonim.

  • Another Proud Uncle and Aunt

    Yudi,we second that motion (comment #5)- including the part about your balabuste – Always remember “An army marches on its stomach”.

    Keep in touch and let me know if you can figure out who wrote what.

    Hatzlocho Rabba!

  • the chasidim will prevail

    Amazing, keep it up…you will overcome all challenges….
    no one can stop you now.

  • PROUD UNCLE AND AUNT #3

    Every time I have many guests I think of Rivky who bakes 4 batches of challah a week, has over 100 students per meal and always does it with a smile! Rivky and Yudi we are proud of you!

  • chanie

    Rivky, I’m reading the numbers of students that attend your Shabbos meals and I don’t know how you manage to pull it off – I’m all proud of myself when I invite a few guest. You are amazing!

  • B-More

    I promote your chabad house to all of our teens who are looking in GW asa college option !!!

    Stop by for coffee again : )

  • Dave Wanng

    Keep It Up!
    Kindest, sweetest, nicest couple out there….THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!

  • class mate

    your the best rivki.

    show them how you were taught and brought up.

    your class mates at beis yakov

  • Anshei Emes!!

    Yudi and Rivky:

    Keep up the great work!

    You are true soldiers.

    You are part of history:

    A first in the history of Shlichus!

    Yudi and Rivky we proud of your continued focus on the work you do best!

    Your friends and fellow Shluchim

  • DC local

    Yudi and Rivky are warm, lovely people, and it’s really nice to have them here for the GW college crowd.

    As a post-university single in DC, I attend the many Young Professional events run by the Shemtovs, and I’m rather taken aback at the blatant (and I must say, ignorant) mud-slinging in these comments.

    I can only assume that you’re unaware of the multitudes of events that take place at the Chabad shul in DC for children, families, and adults alike, and you must not realize the wonderful impact that the Shemtovs have had for so many years in the lives of so many people in DC.

    Perhaps it’s the standard in Brooklyn, but taking anonymous cheap shots on a message board is considered quite contemptuous in this city.

  • Yudi Steiner

    One and all, Baruch hashem the shlichus here in GW is going great. Thanks for your support.

    I do not think that is the forum for the type of converstion in the comments.

    IYH the people that need to deal with it will be strong and continue to deal with it appropriately. Commments like these, are loshon hora, rechilus and dont serve anyone purposes.

    I urge Crownheights.info to please take down these comments.

    May there be achdus, sholom and hatzlocha in the Chabad family.

  • Shuluchum

    Rabbi Steiner: All Shluchim are with you and behind you 100 percent. Keep up the good work. The Rebbe will win don’t worry!!!

  • rikkis cousin

    go rikki! keep it up. go rochel, levi and meir.btw, rikki went to bres and brhs and so did her mother.

  • fellow shliach

    YUDI AND RIVKY !!! CHAZAK CHAZAK VINISCHAZAIK! You should continue your holy work as the entire shlichis world stands behind you in utmost respect and support!