Pictures, Stories, and Thank You from Chabad at Vanderbilt
בס''ד
Bringing Jewish Life to Campus
The semester has been off to an amazing start with a great array of programs, classes, and student engagement. Shabbat dinners are a consistent highlight with 80-160 students joining for amazing food and even better vibes.
And it is all because of you!
You have given the gift of a warm Jewish home to hundreds of students as well as opportunities for community, growth, and discovery.
Thank you for making this all possible!
Thank you for helping us do what we love most - running Chabad at Vanderbilt!
We are excited to share this new community update and hope you enjoy the pictures and stories.
All our best wishes and blessings,
Nechama and Rabbi Shlomo
You Brought Warmth to a Cold Campus Night
Bringing warmth to campus—one slice of challah French toast at a time! 🍞
It was late. It was freezing. Campus felt quiet, almost shut down. But right in the Branscombe dorm lobby, something warm, delicious, and deeply meaningful was happening.
Students walked into their dorms to find Rabbi Shlomo flipping fresh challah French toast. The smell filled the air, the kind that reminds you of home.
And for students far from theirs, that feeling is everything.
This wasn’t just about a midnight snack. It was about connection. It was about showing up where students are, bringing Jewish life straight to them. A piece of challah French toast became an invitation to feel part of something bigger.
One student put it perfectly: "Challah French toast is my favorite surprise when walking into my dormitory.”
Without moments like this, some students might never experience Jewish life on campus. Your support means they don’t have to search for community—it finds them, right where they are.
So, thank you. Thank you for making campus feel warmer, even on the coldest nights. Thank you for making students feel at home. And thank you for making sure that no matter the weather outside, Jewish life is always alive, welcoming, and ready with a plate of challah French toast.
A Historic Opportunity with a Holocaust Survivor
Students hear Holocaust survivor Sami Steigman’s powerful story.
Sami Steigman stood before a packed room, sharing his Holocaust survival story. Students leaned in, hanging onto every word.
This generation is the last to meet Holocaust survivors in person. That truth hit hard for students. "I will treasure this memory forever," one shared.
Your support brought students together for a powerful night of learning, reflection, and inspiration. Sami’s story reminded them why standing up against hate matters. He showed them what resilience looks like.
Before the talk, students gathered for a warm, welcoming dinner. They connected, shared thoughts, and prepared for an unforgettable evening.
It wasn’t just a lecture. It was a call to action.
Because of you, these students learned first hand how important it is to stand proud as Jews.
Your generosity gave them knowledge….and responsibility. They left feeling empowered to fight antisemitism, to stand up for Israel, and to embrace their Jewish identity with pride.
Thank you for making this possible.
You Bring Jewish Women Together in a Beautiful Way
Bringing beauty to campus—inside and out! 💐
There’s something special about a group of Jewish women sitting together, arranging flowers, and talking about life. It’s natural. It’s warm. It’s exactly what happened at Nechama Rothstein’s bouquet-making event at Chabad Vanderbilt.
Girls on campus find a place to connect, relax, and be themselves. This event was about flowers—and about friendship.
Between choosing daisies or roses, the group explored a deep idea from Basi L’Gani: this world is Hashem’s garden. They were literally creating something beautiful with their hands.
Girls who come to these gatherings often continue with weekly Lunch and Learns, diving deeper into Jewish wisdom. These moments turn into real friendships, strengthening the Jewish community on campus.
Because of you, Jewish women on campus have a space and a time to gather, learn, and grow.
One student put it best: “I love making small group events happen with Chabad Vanderbilt. It makes my time at the university much more meaningful and fun.”
You make that happen. You create these moments of warmth and connection. And for that, we are so grateful.
You Brought A Legend On the Court to Campus
When basketball and Jewish pride come together! Coach Bruce Pearl inspires 120 students at Vanderbilt Chabad.
120 students gathered over a sizzling steak lunch, eyes locked on one of the best basketball coaches in the country. Bruce Pearl, a legend on the court and a proud Jew, stood in front of them— as a coach and as a Jew passionate about Torah, Israel, and Jewish identity.
Thanks to you, this moment happened.
When Vanderbilt Chabad reached out, Bruce didn’t hesitate. He came, he spoke, and he wrapped tefillin in front of the students. He shared what being Jewish means to him and why it’s something to celebrate. The students listened, inspired by someone they admire—not just as a coach, but as a proud Jew who embraces his heritage.
Events like this make a real difference. Students who might not come to Chabad for a traditional class or service show up when they hear someone like Bruce is speaking. They leave with more than just a great experience—they leave feeling connected to their Judaism in a way they didn’t expect.
Without your support, this wouldn’t have happened. There would have been no packed room, no powerful speech, no students walking away saying, "Only Chabad can pull off an event like this."
Because of you, Jewish life at Vanderbilt is thriving. Because of you, students feel proud to be Jewish. Thank you for making this possible!
You Are Giving College Students a Jewish Education That Matters
Deep conversations, meaningful connections—thanks to you, these students are exploring Judaism like never before!
Imagine going through college with your Jewish education stuck at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah level.
That’s the reality for many students. And is the reason why we offer Sinai Scholars.
This semester twenty students are learning, questioning, and deepening their connection to Judaism through the Sinai Scholars curriculum.
Every week, they gather over dinner, open Jewish texts, and dive into real conversations. They debate, challenge, and discover what Judaism means to them as adults. It’s a space where they can finally ask the questions they’ve always had and get real answers.
One student put it perfectly: “The last time I really studied Judaism was for my Bat Mitzvah. It’s great to be part of a community of students who take this seriously.”
This program gives them more than knowledge—it gives them a connection. Another student shared, “Having a consistent weekly time to study Torah has made Judaism much more meaningful to me. What I didn’t realize was that it would be this much fun.”
Without you, these students wouldn’t have this opportunity. They’d be left with a surface-level understanding of their heritage, never realizing the depth and wisdom Judaism has to offer.
Because of you, they are learning, growing, and strengthening their Jewish identity. And they love it. Thank you for making this possible!
Students enjoying a delicious dinner at Chabad, building community before an inspiring evening!
A powerful moment: Bruce Pearl wraps tefillin alongside Vanderbilt students, sharing his passion for Judaism.
Girls Lunch & Learn – meaningful conversations over good food, on campus and at the Commons! 🍽️💬✨
Celebrating Rabbi Shlomo’s birthday with sushi, steaks, mitzvahs, and tefillin! Over 50 people joined in for blessings, tzedakah, and special moments. 🎉🎁
Continue Your Impact!
Every meaningful connection, every moment of community, happens because of you.
Your support strengthens Jewish life on campus and beyond, ensuring that every student feels welcomed, encouraged, and empowered.
Thank you for being a vital part of this mission. Together, we are building the future of Jewish leadership.