The Chabad House at Washington University in St. Louis is getting ready for a historic weekend. On Sunday, the school will host round two of the U.S. presidential debates.
Ahead of that, the Chabad House, co-directed by Rabbi Hershey and Chana Novack, is preparing to welcome its usual Shabbat dinner crowd of 100-plus students, in addition to those coming in for the debates. “The entire campus is mobilized, and we want to contribute in the ways we can,” says the rabbi.
In preparation for the weekend, they made a point to reach out to both presidential campaigns, he says, and use social media to send messages to friends of friends about their weekly Shabbat celebration, which includes services and dinner, followed by singing and discussion. “We don’t want to miss anybody who would be in town, and so we’re rolling out the welcome mat,” says Novack.
They’re hoping to create a space where Jewish visitors can take a break from their preparations and celebrate Shabbat, using this time to talk about not what might divide them, but the commonalities that bring them together, he explains.
Jacqueline Kumble, 20, is in charge of public relations for the Chabad Student Association. She’s looking forward to seeing new faces as part of the debate weekend.
She says she hopes people come away feeling engaged, inspired, and equally as important, with a full stomach after Shabbat dinner. Over the course of the weekend, she wants visitors to see that students at Washington University are involved and informed, and care about their present and future. “This is our time to show the broader community and national community who we are as Chabad on Campus, who we are as Jews and who we are as Jews at Washington University,” says Kumble.
On Friday, the Chabad Student Association and Washington University Political Review magazine will host guest speaker Aryeh Mellman, a research assistant for the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who will discuss the economic ramifications of foreign aid.
Chabad will host a minyan and meals during the day on Shabbat itself. “It should all be very beautiful and very exciting,” says the rabbi.
On Sunday, the day of the debate, Novack will be outside Chabad, located across the street from the athletic center where the event will be held. Inside Chabad will be a welcome station and snacks. Visitors will also have the chance to put on tefillin.
Sharing Shabbat (and Ideas)
Sophomore Stephen Yoffie, 20, attends Shabbat dinner regularly with the Novacks. He says he goes to enjoy “the amazing company and amazing food.”
It’s a chance to set aside time to unwind, he says, adding that this weekend is going to have a little excitement in the air. “I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s opinions and getting to share my opinions on what’s really important regarding the election, and what we’re expecting from the debate on Sunday,” he says.
On Sunday, he’ll help staff a booth at an on-campus student activities fair that showcases different university groups. “We’ll be talking to people. I hope to get to share with them what Chabad is and why their presence is so important, especially for Jewish life on campus.”
Jeremy Fisher, 20, a junior on campus and president of the Chabad Student Association, says he is looking forward to the debate and guest speaker.
As for Shabbat dinner, he notes that while they will be adding more seats, they expect to keep the same relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that students look forward to every week. “I’m hoping that a range of opinions can gather round and be comfortable sharing ideas, whatever they may be,” he says.
On Sunday, he’ll spend some time at the Chabad’s booth as well. Says Fisher: “It’s an awesome opportunity for Washington University and the students to be part of the debate and the election—to get such a close perspective on the process.”
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