For more than 20 years, KU Chabad has served as a vibrant hub for Jewish students. While its primary focus is the KU community, its mission has always extended beyond campus boundaries. Recognizing the unique needs of smaller Jewish populations in the region, KU Chabad has also made it a priority to support Jewish life at Kansas State University.

Kansas State University is home to a small but strong Jewish community. With approximately 75 Jewish undergraduate students and 150 graduate students, the campus may not have the numbers of larger universities, but it offers something equally powerful: a close-knit and dedicated group of students building Jewish life together.

“At K-State, we have a small but vibrant Jewish community where students come together to celebrate holidays, build friendships and engage in meaningful social and educational events,” said David Marcus, a current grad student from San Diego, California, and the president of K-State Hillel.

K-State HIllel plays a central role in that effort, offering religious, social and cultural programming throughout the year. This vibrant student organization helps create a welcoming “home away from home” where students can celebrate Shabbat, observe holidays and connect with one another.

At the same time, KU Chabad has stepped in as a valuable partner, helping to expand opportunities and bring additional energy and resources to the K-State community. Over the past year, this partnership has taken shape through a variety of collaborative programs and events.

Students and faculty gathered together for a special Hanukkah celebration, lighting the menorah, celebrating Jewish pride and enjoying festive holiday treats. A pop-up kosher deli in February brought a taste of tradition and community to campus, while a pre-Passover event provided students with both a meaningful gathering and the supplies they needed to celebrate the holiday.

“KU Chabad has been a fantastic partner to K-State Hillel, bringing not only latkes and holiday spirit to events like our Hanukkah party, Tu B’Shvat Seder and pre-Passover prep party, but also a real sense of connection and community,” Marcus said. “Their support has played an important role in helping Jewish life grow at K-State.”

For KU Chabad, this collaboration reflects a broader vision. The organization sees itself not only as a campus center, but as a regional resource committed to strengthening Jewish life wherever it is needed.

“The Chabad Center for Jewish Life at the University of Kansas has a dedicated goal to serve the needs of all Jewish communities throughout Northeast Kansas,” said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, co-director of KU Chabad. “While our primary focus is on the Jewish student community at KU, we are equally committed to ensuring that Jewish students at Kansas State University feel supported, valued and connected.”