Over the last few months, as students went through their fall semester in college, they faced many new learning environments, and with them, many challenges. While they put their best efforts forward to succeed, it definitely was an uphill battle for some. It is with this in mind that the men of Alpha Epsilon Pi, a vibrant and active Jewish fraternity at the University of Kansas, were excited to partner with KU Chabad for a special learning program that provides a much-needed boost and support during these challenging times.
This unique program, called JewishU at AEPi, featured two in-depth Jewish knowledge courses that engaged the brotherhood in quality Jewish learning. Twice a week different groups of students met with Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, co-director of KU Chabad, to explore the Jewish views on core issues relating to their own lives. The topics ranged from Jewish tools to overcoming depression and experiencing joy, to what Judaism says about drugs and alcohol, the Jewish view on afterlife and more. In order to abide by the COVID-19 restrictions, these classes took place both in a virtual and in-person format, with each group consisting strictly of members of their own pod.
“The opportunity to take a Torah class with my brothers at AEPi has been amazing,” said Benji Rubin, a KU sophomore from Northbrook, Illinois. “I absolutely loved the JewishU classes. They gave me an entirely new perspective on my life and on everything I experience. It is so cool to not only feel more Jewish, but to get to think Jewishly as well. I’m so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to be part of this learning program.”
This program at the AEPi house is part of KU Chabad’s signature Jewish Learning Initiative called JewishU. Built around a simple concept, JewishU provides an accessible and engaging way for students to immerse themselves in quality Jewish learning and has become a highlight to dozens of students each semester. It also won the KC Jewish Federation’s Program of the Year Award last year.
The JewishU program at KU has been developed to provide a comprehensive look into Jewish identity and spirituality in a way many students had not previously experienced. This program provides students with a most effective platform to gain a comprehensive Jewish education alongside their standard college education.
“It was so refreshing to spend time immersed in Torah study with the men of AEPi,” Rabbi Teichtel said. “For most this was the first time they were engaging in quality Jewish learning since their Hebrew school days. It was also inspiring to see their commitment to making this happen even while adhering to the COVID-19 restrictions. This showed how essential these learning experiences are for them.”
Among the feedback that the students expressed, one theme that was repeated by many was how this course showed the relevance of the Torah’s teaching to modern day life in 2020. As Daniel Wachsberg, a KU junior from Houston shared: “In this class not only has Zalman taught us a little more about how to live our life as young Jewish men, but also how things we question daily as Jews living in a secular world can connect aspects of our life to our Jewish roots. The class is also bringing us all a lot closer in a fun and innovative way.”
The JewishU at AEPI program is funded by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and by the support of the Irv and Ellen Robinson Family Foundation. As the fall semester wraps up at KU, close to 75 students are proud to say that not only did they get straight A’s in their academics, but they also expanded their Jewish knowledge and deepened their Jewish identity and connection.
To learn more about KU Chabad’s Greek programming, contact Rabbi Tiechtel at 785-832-8672 or .