Students Speak

When I first heard about Chabad at KSU, I was hesitant to get involved. The thought of walking into a room where I barely knew anyone was intimidating. What if it was awkward? What if I didn't connect with anyone?

One day, I decided to just go for it. I gathered my courage and showed up to a Shabbat dinner.

I was encouraged to get out of my comfort zone and open myself up to my fellow Jewish students. At a Cafe Chabad event early this year, I had a great conversation with Naomi, which has blossomed into a relationship that's now a central part of my life.

Without Chabad providing this space for Jewish students, I wouldn't have broken out of my shell, met my girlfriend, or formed the friendships that have shaped my college experience.

Thank you for making this possible. Your support doesn't just fund events – it creates connections that change lives.

- Lior

If there is one moment that stands out from my freshman year, it was before my first Shabbat dinner when we took a group photo and everyone shouted, "I love being Jewish!" That's when I knew I belonged here and that Chabad would be my home.

The incredible friends I made at Chabad have been my anchor during these challenging times.

Thanks to your support, I've deepened my connection to Judaism in ways I never anticipated. My family is Jewish, but we didn't regularly celebrate Shabbat or holidays. This year alone, I've participated in more Jewish traditions than ever before in my life! My favorites were the Pegisha weekend in NYC with 2000 other Jewish college students, and of course, the weekly Shabbat dinners!

Being invited to join the Chabad Student Leadership Board was particularly meaningful. Planning events, designing merch, and working with the team gave me valuable leadership experience while allowing me to give back to this community that's become my second home.

Thanks to you, every moment at Chabad has been a highlight of my college journey!

- Roee

When a friend of mine first invited me to Shabbat dinner at Chabad, I was honestly a bit nervous. I grew up Jewish but wasn't particularly religious, and I wondered if I would fit in.

What I discovered instead changed my college experience entirely. From that first Friday night dinner, I was welcomed exactly as I am.

Coming to college, finding Jewish friends wasn't actually a priority for me. But through Chabad, I've come to appreciate the special bond that exists between Jewish students. Conversations flow naturally, strangers quickly become friends, and everyone belongs. This sense of community transformed a potentially lonely freshman experience into one filled with meaningful connections.

Many of my closest friendships began at Cafe Chabad, Shabbat dinners, and other Chabad events.

Thanks to your generous support, I discovered that every Jew is family – a connection I'll carry with me long after graduation.

- Ryan

I never imagined how transformative my Jewish experience at Kennesaw State would become. Thanks to you, what began as occasional barbecue and Shabbat participation, blossomed into a genuine home away from home at Chabad.

The Jewish educational opportunities that Nechami and Rabbi provided revealed a depth to Judaism I never knew existed. Growing up, there were so many aspects of my heritage I wasn't even aware I was missing. Immersive experiences like Sinai Scholars, Pegisha, and the National Jewish Retreat enabled me to discover a deep, and authentic perspective on Judaism that resonated in a profoundly meaningful way.

What makes Chabad special is the real connection that happens around the Shabbat dinner table. Everyone puts their phones away and actually talks to each other. These genuine moments sparked my Jewish growth and created true, lasting friendships.

Your generosity hasn't simply funded programs—it has nurtured my Jewish identity, which I'm eager to carry forward wherever life leads me after graduation.

- Rachel