The Chabad Jewish Student Group at the University of Central Florida hosted their first ever “Shabbat 500” dinner last month, bringing together more than 500 students from diverse campus social clubs and Jewish backgrounds for an evening that included Shabbat services, lectures on Jewish topics and the traditional Friday night dinner.

“The turnout was incredible,” Nicole Erdfrocht, a senior at UCF and member of the Chabad board, described the evening, “it was everything we dreamed it would be.” The Chabad group usually hosts 150 to 200 students for their Shabbat dinners, with this event slated to expose more Jewish students to Shabbat.

“As a Jewish girl leaving that room Friday night," said Alexa Freeman, "I felt so proud to be a part of something as big as Shabbat 500. It was great to meet so many new people in such a welcoming environment.”

Lecturers included Rabbi Chaim Lipskier, co-director of Chabad at UCF; Dr. Terri Susan Fine Stenzler, faculty adviser for Chabad; Dr. Moshe Pelli, Director of Judaic Studies at UCF; Noah Miller, President of Chabad; and Cortez Whatley, President of Student Government Associations.

“It was one of the best events I’ve ever been to at UCF,” said Nicole Simmons.

Freeman concluded, "I simply can’t wait to attend Chabad’s next events."