Last weekend, Shabbat Terumah, Chabad House at Rutgers – the largest Jewish center on any public university in the world- hosted its signature “Shabbos for 1000” (S41K) initiative, bringing together approximately 1,000 Jewish students and their friends for a powerful and uplifting Shabbat experience. Students from across Rutgers’ five campuses, along with guests from neighboring universities, filled the Grand Ballroom for an evening celebrating Jewish identity, community, and pride.
The program opened with traditional candle lighting and spirited Kabbalat Shabbat services, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner complete with freshly baked challah, a full-course meal, and lively singing that continued late into the night. It was a fun night where students met many new people and enjoyed hearing from student speakers Natalie Kacherova, Chabad’s Student President, and Peleg Wolfsohn, Student Leader of SAMMY Fraternity. Student volunteers spent weeks preparing and promoting the event, ensuring that classmates from every background felt personally invited and welcomed.
Rabbi Baruch Goodman, Chabad’s Campus Activities Director, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the deeper purpose of the evening.
Chabad Student President Natalie Kacherova highlighted that the initiative is about far more than responding to challenges. “This is not just about standing up against antisemitism,” she said. “It is about being proudly pro-Semitism, something I have learned and experienced during my years at Rutgers Chabad. It is about celebrating Jewish life, Jewish values, and Jewish community in the most positive and vibrant way possible. When a thousand students choose to spend their Friday night at Shabbat, that speaks volumes.”
Throughout the night, students described a palpable sense of belonging and Jewish pride. Many attendees were experiencing a full traditional Shabbat dinner for the first time, while others returned to relive the warmth and inspiration they had come to associate with the annual gathering.
The event was organized by a broad student leadership team whose dedication made the evening possible: Natalie Kacherova, Leeba Zucker, Talia Menasha, Eva Woods, Kayla Weissman, Yair Herskowitz, Sammi Byck, Ginger Ammar, Hannah East, Raquel Arakanchi, Kelly Shapiro, Sarah Bednarczyk, Mason Luskoff, Peleg Wolfsohn, Rachel Kron, Max Schilowitz, Joshua Bamdas, Josh Krause, Ariel Ifrah, Taylor Chaya Shaw, Netanel Belgrade, Danielle Bodner, Rosy Baitz, Edo Hakimian, Yosef Kaplan, Judah Levine, Rivka Schafer, Michael Cytryn, Reeva Belgrade, Victoria Kassin, Sara Zarny, Annette Greenberg, Sarah Schildkraut, Jennifer Zarny, Olivia Kamchaji, Geri Zimmerman, Jonathan Leib, Eitan Romanoff, Ralph Tawil, Rebecca Maze, Ozzie Nevenensky, and resident advisors Noa Strupinsky, Jacob Fogel, Shayna Solkowitz, and Mike Wolf.
According to Rabbi Yosef Carlebach, Chabad House’s Executive Director, “Shabbos for 1000″ continues to serve as a cornerstone of Jewish life at Rutgers, creating an open and welcoming space for students of all backgrounds and levels of observance. By focusing not only on confronting negativity but primarily on amplifying positivity, the initiative reinforces a clear message that Jewish life on campus is strong, joyful, and united.”
For more info on Chabad Campus activities, or for info on Kosher Housing and Dining at Rutgers Chabad call 732-296-1800 or info@chabadnj.org
