Bigger Digs for the Largest West Coast Population

Santa Cruz, CA — So maybe you became a Bar Mitzvah when you were thirteen, but in time the synagogue became the last place you considered going to on a Saturday. After all there’s so many other fun things to do at college. Or is there?

Challenging the generational assumption that in America, being Jewish isn’t really that important, for decades Chabad families have been giving Jewish college students opportunities to grow through education, self-fulfillment and Torah – and to have fun doing so.

A case in point is the established and new-in-the-making Chabad Student Center at the University of California at S. Cruz. Perhaps the most beautiful college campus in the nation – planners nestled buildings among redwood forests and bucolic landscaping not far from the ocean – the school reportedly boasts the highest percentage of Jewish students amongst all universities on the West Coast.

With the purchase of the new Chabad House, the more than 2,800 Jewish students and faculty at UCSC can look forward to a larger place of their own in the near future. The building is being dedicated by philanthropists George and Pamela Rohr. Plans call for a kosher kitchen, grand dining hall, lounge, sanctuary, event garden, guest rooms and a residence for Rabbi Shlomie and Devorah Leah Chein.

The rabbi and his family have agreed to live in the new Chabad House in order to complete the feeling of Home that is the modus operandi of their organization.

“We consider the Chabad House a home for every Jewish student, and we consider each student to be as our own child,” emphasizes the rabbi. “In an institutional world like a big university, Chabad is a unique treasure that offers students emotional security, moral comfort, spiritual growth and personal guidance.”

Not to mention it’s one fun place to hang out when not in class. On any given day, the Chabad Student Center offers an array of communal programs as well as personal opportunities that focus on Jewish heritage, identity, solidarity, awareness, discovery, celebration and education.

“At the core of our success lies our complete dedication to the holistic well being of each individual student,” says Chein. “The atmosphere is relaxed and nonjudgmental while providing students with a platform for higher education in Judaism.

“Here students can explore and discover timeless messages, eternal beauties and the unlimited joys of their heritage,” he continues, “in ways that help them form a personal link between the age-old wisdom of Torah and the new age lifestyles they may encounter on campus.”

In addition to formal education the center offers plenty of hands on experiences. If you want to bake a challah, learn how to make candlesticks, become a gourmet cook by preparing Kosher sushi, tackle rock climbing, take up paintball, attend a kosher barbecue, or travel to Israel or New York – or pretty much anything else in between – this is definitely the place to be.

Nothing Beats Shabbat

Despite the wealth of activities, though, students proclaim the Shabbat programming to be the Chabad House’s prime treasure.

“I love how reliable Rabbi Shlomie and Devorah Leah are on Shabbat,” says student Uri Laio, a broad smile forming on his face. “Every Friday night they provide an amazing four-course dinner and lively Jewish atmosphere with singing and camaraderie. A friend of mine was amazed by how ‘hip’ it is to be at Chabad House on Friday night.”

Chein is not surprised by the comment. Shabbat has been the highlight of the week “for thousands of years,” he says, “and so it continues to be for thousands of Jewish students at UCSC.”

Zack Miller is apparently part of that group, which includes students turning out for Devorah Leah Chein’s home-cooked entrees, as well as for the rabbi’s talks.

“He’s one of the friendliest, engaging and spirited rabbis around,” says Miller. “I feel lucky to have such a good Jewish resource in town.”