April showers bring May flowers. On some level, the old saying was true at the Chabad House at KU during the recent graduation farewell parties for the classes of 2021 and 2020. Just like a blossoming flower, the graduating seniors are ready to leave KU and move on to whatever comes next in their life’s journey.
Becoming an alumnus of the University of Kansas also means becoming an alumnus of Chabad at KU. It was truly a bittersweet few days, as saying goodbye to members of the family is always so hard.
Many students gathered at the Chabad House to enjoy a special evening of bonding and reflection. During the celebratory dinner, the seniors each received a gift and spoke movingly about their time at KU and what Chabad meant to them.
“KU Chabad has always been an educational and high-energy place to be Jewish,” said Sam Kricsfeld, of Omaha, Nebraska. “Rabbi Zalman always has a smile and a warm greeting whenever you come!”
Ryan Gold, of Overland Park, emphasized how much Chabad truly became a part of his family. “I’m leaving KU, but my connection to KU Chabad will always be there,” he said. “My advice to all future Jewhawks is to take advantage of everything Chabad has to offer in hopes that everyone has the same impact it had on me.”
The senior farewell celebration was filled with laughter and tears, excitement and melancholy.
While the accomplishments of the seniors were celebrated by all, at the same time the Chabad House and KU community has lost some of its dedicated members. Functioning as a family, it is not easy to say goodbye to these friends who are like the big brothers and sisters to the underclassmen.
“There is nothing more rewarding than being part of this special journey for these young Jewish men and women,” said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, co-director of Chabad at KU. “We have no doubt that the Jewish people will see great things in the future from these young Jewish leaders.”
