A man donning the Jewish prayer boxes known as tefillin, even for the first time, is a common sight at any Chabad-Lubavitch center around the world. But on one particular morning, as Thomas Hoffman learned how to take part in the ancient practice from Rabbi Shmuel Volvovick in Los Altos, Calif., his son Philip – who was 850 miles away at the University of Arizona Chabad House in Tucson – was doing the same thing.
Joined by a telephone line and a shared desire to connect with their heritage, both father and son uttered the foundational Shema prayer together for the first time.
Retold by Rabbi Yossi Winner, director of Chabad at the University of Arizona, this story transfixed attendees at the organization’s annual dinner, held March 6 at the University Marriott Hotel in Tucson. Organized completely by students, the gala event brought together 200 students, alumni and parents in show of support for Jewish life on the Tucson campus.
Thomas and Mitzi Hoffman, who in addition to Philip have sent two other children to the University of Arizona, received the Parents of the Year award.
That their children, and all Jewish students in Tucson, have a home away from home is “extremely important to us,” said Thomas Hoffman. “We really appreciate everything [Yossi and Naomi Winner] do for us, and their lifetime commitment to university students.”
The dinner featured a six-minute video presentation of students describing what they love about the Chabad House. Sarah Hoffman, a senior, described it as “a place to go where you do not need to put on a show; you can be yourself, and the rabbi and his wife respect everyone, no matter their beliefs or how religious they are.”
The dinner was a way, in part, for the students to give back. They planned the event, fundraised for it, reserved the venue, settled on the menu with the caterer, hired a DJ, even sponsored tables themselves.
Brad Efune, a freshman, was inspired by “how many students came out to help and to show they care.”
“So many people have been touched by Chabad,” added sophomore Eitan Cramer. “Students want to help; they want to be associated with this and become a leader.”
David Wills agreed, explaining that he found involvement in the Chabad House to be transformative.
“In order to be a leader, you have to know what you believe in so you can go in a direction where others can follow,” he said. “Chabad helped me figure out where I want to go. From there, I can be a leader to others.”
This was the first event of its kind for the Winners.
“They are the future leaders of tomorrow,” said the rabbi. “It is only right to give the students this opportunity and to prepare them for future involvement in community outreach.”
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