My husband and I loved reading the beautifully written article by Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, marking the 15-year anniversary of his arrival in Lawrence to start the Chabad House at KU with his wife, Nechama. (“A trip down memory lane … what a journey,” March 18).
We learned about KU Chabad via our son Michael. His excitement and enthusiasm for their programming, Shabbat dinners, study sessions, total acceptance in a judge-free environment, piqued our curiosity. Then we visited and realized the students’ attraction to Rabbi Zalman and Nechama.
They made each student feel good about themselves, and their main goal is to joyously engage students in Jewish activity. That could be a study session, coffee with either one of them, helping cook dinners, attending Shabbat dinners, de-stressing, popping into High Holiday services in between classes ... however the students choose engagement.
The Tiechtels remember everyone’s name too .... so important to a student away from home. Three years ago, we stopped in before the KU-WV game; there’s a photo wall boasting 20 wedding pictures of students who’ve met their beshert because of KU Chabad, including our son!
Rabbi Zalman and Nechama truly make KU Chabad a home away from home for students.
Susan and Allen Lebovitz
Prairie Village, Kansas
