The students have recently arrived back in Lawrence for the spring semester, but as they return to their campus things are still not the same. From the various changes to the class schedule and to the many guidelines and protocols in place, it is obvious that things will still be conducted quite differently than a typical semester at KU.
But one thing won’t change, and that is KU Chabad’s commitment to providing their trademark positive Jewish experiences on campus. If anything, Chabad recognizes now more than ever how vital their support and programs are to the wellbeing of the students.
A recent study released from the CDC has shared that 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health issues during the recent months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the highest being among young people. More than one in four respondents between the ages of 18 and 25 reported suicidal thoughts and 75% reported experiencing one or more adverse mental health issues.
It is with this in mind that the staff and leadership of KU Chabad has determined they must be open and available at the forefront during the upcoming semester. The need for a warm, welcoming and embracing home away from home is crucial. At the same time, Chabad also recognizes the need to be fully committed to ensuring the health and safety of all, which is a top priority.
For many students, staying in their room all week long is now the new normal, with almost all classes being online and virtual. However they are still craving to connect with the community, to celebrate Shabbat together and to feel the warmth and love of the joyful Shabbat at Chabad experience.
Chabad has therefore developed a new and innovative way to provide the uplifting Shabbat experience during the current COVID-19 reality. Its goal is to remain emotionally close, even if we must keep socially distant.
This new Shabbat experience provides three unique ways for KU students to enjoy a weekly joyful Shabbat. The first is called “Shabpods” where students are given the opportunity to create the Shabbat experience for their own pod at their own place. All they need to do is text the word “pods” and they receive a complete Shabbat package with a full dinner and educational activities to celebrate Shabbat with their Pod in a safe and meaningful way.
KU freshman Emmy Kenzer from Chicago recently hosted a Shabpod for her roommates. She shared how “it was really fun hosting my own Shabbat because it was the first time for me and my friends. It was cool to see what hosting my own Shabbat is like and we all really enjoyed it. It’s been so great to have this opportunity and it brought joy to our entire week.”
Another innovative new Shabbat program is the weekly “Shabbat LITe” where students get to experience a lite Shabbat that is totally lit! Each week from 5 to 6 p.m. there is an Open House Style Shabbat in a heated outdoor tent where students drop by in small groups for all their Shabbat favorites, from Kiddush to matzah ball soup to desserts. Some students come for a minute while others stay for the hour.
“The opportunity to still have Shabbat to join with my AEPI brothers has been amazing,” said KU sophomore Jaxson King. “Going into college I didn’t know if I would have a great opportunity to keep in touch with my faith, but Chabad and these events have given me such a connection, and I believe I am more in touch with my faith than I was ever before.”
Finally, in order to provide the full sit-down Shabbat dinner experience that is so loved by many, each week there is a homey and limited masked indoor Shabbat dinner for up to 10 students only, with a different demographic participating each week. From freshmen to seniors and grad students too, everyone is vying for a spot at this coveted limited Shabbat dinner.
Brooke Rubin is a KU freshman who joined a recent indoor Shabbat just for freshmen. She said, “Being in college during COVID-19 can be really tough. With our parents being so many miles away, Rabbi Zalman and Nechama have become like our surrogate parents, always looking out for us and embracing us with open arms. There is so much going on at college, but whenever I come to Chabad I feel safe and secure as we all feel like one family supporting each other.”
These exciting programs have been formulated as a result of close communication with the university administration, local health agencies, and with the guidance of a special KU Chabad Re-Opening Task Force composed of medical professionals and KU parents. As a means to ensure that the crowd size is always being controlled and in efforts to trace all participants, Chabad also created a unique text-based RSVP system where students need to just send in one word and their spot is reserved.
The world may be different, but the goal of KU Chabad remains the same: to create a thriving Jewish life and community on campus — safely and responsibly. Remember that we are here for you and your child any time, on-call 24/7. Although we may need to be socially distant, we are always emotionally close. As students continue filling up the pages in their books, they know that Chabad is always there for them to call home. As KU junior Dawson Miller shared, “Chabad has made my college experience go from good to great. I truly feel like Chabad is my family at KU.”
