Ten Years and Counting | Illini Chabad Celebration Event
Good evening, my name is Richard Rosenfeld, and I have the pleasure of welcoming you: To Ten Years and Counting A celebration of Illini Chabad.
We are also here to insure that the house that Rabbi Dovid and Goldie have built not only endures but grows. We are here to honor the “home away from home” that Rabbi Dovid and Goldie have so lovingly created. The safe haven, which continues to welcome all students, students interested in enriching themselves, with a love of Judaism, a love of Israel, and a love of humankind. Ten years ago Rabbi Dovid and Goldie, with their young infant in hand, came to the Illini campus with no home, no Chabad, no network, no connections, just a dream. A dream to plant a seed of Judaism, to nurture it unconditionally, and as the expression goes:
Indeed, they have come:
These are just a few of the programs, student activities, and events that take place at Illini Chabad every year. None of this would be possible without the kind and generous support Illini Chabad receives from donors such as you. Chabad is not funded or sponsored by any national organization or group. Chabad is not funded by the university, yet it’s impact on the university is undeniable: Just 8 weeks ago, I was seated in the tent outside the Chabad house, attending Rosh Hashanah services, when the president of the university, Bob Easter spoke these words: "For more than a decade, the Chabad Center for Jewish life has been filling a critical need, providing a home away from home for our more than 4,000 Jewish students and nurturing an environment of understanding that enriches the lives of every student.” I am a part of Illini Chabad and you are part of Illini Chabad too. We are partners, who bring our energy together, to ensure the future of Judaism. We are here to celebrate
A future we must all embrace and support To develop the Jewish leaders of tomorrow |