Newsletter Spring 2018 (1)

JEWISHPANTHERS
Spring 2018
Appreciation Report
ב"ה
HOW YOU MAKE
US PROUD JEWS
IMPACTFUL HIGHLIGHTS
FROM THIS PAST SEMESTER

Y O U H E L P M A K E
A D I F F E R E N C E
MY TALE
Josh Berger '18
Before attending Chabad my
Junior year at Chapman
University, Judaism and I were
in a weird place with one
another; if we were on
Facebook, our relationship
status would read ‘it’s
complicated’
Despite the fact that I had attended the JCC for
preschool and a private Jewish day school up until
5th grade, I had never considered myself to be truly,
authentically, and wholly Jewish.
"Immediately, I was made to feel at home.
As we said the Kiddush together, broke
Challah with one another..."
Immediately, I was made to feel at home. As we
said the Kiddush together, broke Challah with one
another, discussed the week’s Torah portion, and
recited prayers in harmony, I could feel a change
from within me. The community Rabbi Eliezer
helped establish and develop at Chapman Chabad
was one of inclusivity. I was not made to feel
marginalized or thought of by others as “less than”
because of the extent of my practice of faith.
Aside from the prayer, the meals, and the holidays
spent with Chabad, what sticks with me most now
as an alumnus were all the conversations I had that
emerged spontaneously between the scheduled
programming.
THE LIVES YOU'VE TOUCHED
Sure, I could recite the Hamotzi and wine blessings
by heart, and, yes, I did have a Bar Mitzvah and held
distinctly Jewish values concerning family,
education, and morality, but wasn’t being Jewish
about being more than that?
Before Chabad, I would tell others that I was merely
reform, or that I was only culturally Jewish; I felt
Jewish. Rabbi Eliezer and Chabad at Chapman
fundamentally changed my own perception of my
relationship with Judaism by teaching me that those
stipulations that I imposed on myself and my
identity-- “merely” and “only” -- did not exist.
From the moment I stepped into Rabbi Eliezer’s
home, I was greeted with smiles from himself, his
wife, Mushky, and his two children, Yasef and Mirel.
I have made many friends at Chabad that I not only
kept in touch with throughout the rest of my time at
Chapman, but also continue to keep in touch with
today. I have even brought friends to Chabad, from
Chapman and from afar, in an effort to share with
them an important piece of myself and my heritage.
Chabad teaches others about Jewish history,
philosophy, morality, and culture in a way that
doesn’t seek to evangelize, but rather to merely
enlighten.
Rabbi Eliezer and Chapman Chabad catalyzed my
growth as a person by making me more educated
about and proud of my Jewish faith. I look forward
to seeing how Chapman Chabad continues to
expand serve more people, and to hearing the many
other success stories that come from other people
like me in the near future. L'chaim!

Y O U R I M P A C T
T H I S S E M E S T E R
Torah Classes
Meals Socials
ChaBBQ Lunch &
Learn Shabbat
Dinner Sinai
Scholars BLT
Kosher Cooking
Kabbalah Wing
Night Menorah
Lighting on
Campus Care
Packages
YOUR GIFT BRINGS
HOT MATZAH BALL
SOUPS AND CARE
PACKAGES TO AGGIES
WHEN THEY NEED IT
MOST
You provided over 850 Shabbat Dinners
for Jewish Panthers this semester alone!
Special thanks to a multi-generational family of givers who provide for our Jewish Panthers.
Thank you to the community partnership in Chabad's
leadership program initiative, which is supported by an
Impact Grant from Jewish Federation & Family Services
Sara Clemons -Grandparent
Lonnie & Blair Dworkin -Parents
Alexis Dworkin '18 -Former Student
MEZUZAH
CHALLAH BAKE
STUDENT BOARD
SHALACH MANOT
KOSHER COOKING
S T U D E N T S N A P S H O T S
MEGA SHABBAT
PURIM PARTY
Your Nachas Continues

W H Y S T U D E N T S
N E E D Y O U N O W
I'M A FORMER STUDENT AND I GIVE
REGULARLY TO CHABAD...
Chabad at Chapman truly is a home away from home. When
I came to Chapman, going to weekly Shabbat dinners what
not something I did. Yes, I would go to the occasional one
here and there but it was not a routine or something I had
looked forward to each week. Now I am proud to say that
because of Chabad I looked forward to every Shabbat
dinner each week.
YOU made sure hundreds of students
celebrated Purim!
YOU made sure students were full at
the Passover Seder!
When I met Rabbi Eliezer and he invited me to attend his
first Shabbat, I figured why not go, free food right? But it
was way more than that. Once I stepped foot in the Chabad
house I felt a sense of community. I felt home, although my
parents were a long 6 hour drive away. My college
experience would not have been the same without Chabad.
It brought me closer to my Jewish roots and I couldn’t be
more grateful for my time with Chabad and Rabbi Eliezer.
That’s why I find it so important to contribute post-grad.
This organization is something special and incoming
students each year should be provided the same
opportunity. I really think it is so important for future
students to learn and grow through Chabad and if I am able
to help make an impact on this organization that gave me
so much, I will proudly do so.
-Matt Aroesty
YOU provided meaningful opportunities
for students to connect to their
Judaism!
YOU gave students the opportunity to
study in any of five classes offered
weekly!
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CAN YOU HELP JEWISH PANTHERS FOR THE FALL SEMESTER?
YES! I want to bring more light to Jewish Panthers in 2018! I'll make
sure they have a welcoming Jewish home.
I will Sponsor a Table $180
I will Co-Sponsor a Shabbat $500
I will Sponsor the ENTIRE Shabbat $1,000
$ ______________ Other
(Any amount is appreciated.)
We anticipate a busy semester ahead.
MORE STUDENTS are getting involved!
YOU keep the doors open, the kitchen
stocked and the home away from home
strong, vibrant and ready.
WE appreciate your continued support,
Rabbi Eliezer and Mushky Gurary & Family
Chabad at Chapman University | Jewish Student Center | 657.333.0989
638 E Collins Ave | Orange, CA | 92867
JewishPanthers.com