There are three organizations for Jewish students at UB: the Chabad House, Hillel of Buffalo and the Jewish Student Union. These three associations offer a variety of programs and activities for the Jewish community of UB to take part in.
The Chabad House is essentially a Jewish Student Center. The word "Chabad" is an acronym composed of three Hebrew words, "Chochmah, Bina, Da'at," which mean "wisdom, knowledge, understanding."
The organization was founded in 1970 to serve the religious, educational and social needs of the Jewish population at UB.
On North Campus, the Chabad House is located just over the Ellicott Creek footbridge, next to the Wilkeson and Spaulding residence halls, at 2450 North Forest Road. On South Campus, it is on the corner of Englewood Avenue at 3288 Main St. Membership is not required to be a part of the organization.
"Jewish students that come [to the Chabad House] have misconceptions that it is just for religious students, but it is for all, regardless of background or upbringing," said Rabbi Avrohom Gurary.
Every Friday night, students can gather for Sabbath - called Shabbat - at about 6:30 p.m. Students can take part in a service, enjoy a home-cooked dinner and join in song. There are also services on Saturday mornings at 11, followed by lunch, singing and discussions.
Besides traditional services, the Chabad House also offers celebrations for holidays, lectures, workshops and counseling. Some social events include movie nights, concerts, comedy shows and trips to New York City. Students can contact the Chabad House by calling 688-1642 or visiting the Web site at http://chabad.buffalo.edu.
There is also regularly an informational table in the Student Union, where students can ask questions, talk, pray and get information and items for upcoming holidays.
Hillel of Buffalo is an organization established to serve the Jewish community at UB as well as students and faculty from area colleges through study, community service projects and worship. The Hillel Campus Center is located in Suite 210 of the Commons. It can be reached at 639-8361, or on their Web site at http://hillel.cjb.net.
Shabbat services are held every Friday night in the Hillel Center with Shabbat dinner served at 6:45p.m. in Pistachio's in the Student Union. Students can call the Hillel Campus Center for reservations.
Hillel of Buffalo organizes a variety of special events for the Jewish community. On Tuesday, Feb. 26, there will be a Purim Beach and Masquerade Party at 7:30 p.m. in the flag room in the Student Union. The admission is free and the event features food, dancing, games, a costume contest and prizes.
Hillel also offers weekly movie nights and parties, Challah baking and Hebrew instruction, and works with such organizations as Hillel Volunteer Program Corps, the American Jewish Committee and Temple Beth Am.
"Students also get together in the lounge for informal gatherings and a variety of activities [such as] Israel Club, Klezmer band, Rosh Chodesh, baking Challah and planning programs," stated Hillel Executive Director Nancy Atkinson in an e-mail.
Students can also write for Ari, a non-profit publication that serves as the Jewish student newspaper at UB. Ari was founded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo, and is a forum for ideas and opinions on Jewish issues.
The Jewish Student Union, which is not a part of Campus Ministries, does not hold religious services. It is a Student Association club of about 45 active members and a listserv membership of about 200. The JSU is run by a student board and plans social, cultural, educational and community service programs.
It is not a requirement to be Jewish to be a part of the JSU; membership is open to all. For more information regarding this organization, contact the president, Rebecca Marinoff, at rm25@acsu.buffalo.edu.
JSU annually runs several programs, such as apple-picking for Sukkot, an ice cream social, coffee house night with student bands and performers, cooking dinner for families at the Ronald McDonald House, holiday parties for Chanukah and Purim and a chocolate seder for Passover.
