The Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University 420 Murray Hill Rd. • Vestal, NY 13850 607-797-0015
info@chabadofbinghamton.com www.JewishBU.com
January 2025, Volume 12, Issue 3 Hakesher is published two times a year; December/January and May by Chabad of Binghamton, 420 Murray Hill Road, Vestal, NY 13850. Postage paid at Newark, NJ post offices.
Volume 12, Issue 3
Published by CHABAD OF BINGHAMTON
Contact us at: Hakesher@JewishBU.com
Editor Rivkah Slonim
Staff Writer Alan Zeitlin
Proofreading Chaya M. Slonim
Design Avrohom Weg
Photo Credits Dov Herschberg
Aliza Popky
Alexander Watts
About the cover: Sarit Lapin '27 and Sharon Mor '27 pose just before they embark on the Color4Kids run to raise money for the annual Light up a Life Toy Drive. See page 17 for more.
A WORD FROM THE DIRECTORS
Dear Friend,
Tov Lehodos LaHashem…. It is good to praise G-d, says the Psalmist. King David continues by saying L’hagid Baboker Chasdecha to speak of your kindness during the day, V’emunascha Balailos, and of your faithfulness at night.
If you are having trouble figuring out if we are living in the worst of times or the best of times-- night or day—you are not alone. It seems that we are living in a twilight zone, an amalgam of darkness and light.
As we write these words our hostages still languish in “the valley of darkness,” missiles continue to strike Israel’s heartland causing hundreds of thousands to run for shelter at all times of night and day, hundreds of women and children find themselves newly widowed and orphaned, sons, daughters, grandchildren and siblings have been lost, thousands of families remain homeless, living disjointed lives. Days and nights disrupted by sirens, businesses ruined, hearts broken, dreams shattered. And yet, the soldiers sing their way into battle and the citizens of Israel give new meaning to resilience. And yet, we cling in the darkness to our faith in G-d.
Simultaneously, the geopolitical landscape seems to be rearranging itself in ways no one conceived possible. Hezbollah has been beheaded and felled. Syria has fallen. Hamas has been neutralized. And Iran has been exposed for the straw man it is without its proxies to hide behind. All because Israel has found the temerity to do what it must to protect itself (and the whole Democratic world). It finally seems possible to hope our hostages will be returned. It seems dawn has broken and the sun is coming up, we must speak of G-d’s many kindnesses.
Over 26,000 rockets, missiles and drones have been launched at Israel from Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen and Syria since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Remarkably, miraculously, this has resulted in less than a handful of deaths. 823 troops in the IDF have tragically lost their lives, close to 5,000 have been wounded, 696 have sustained very serious injuries. While these numbers tear at our hearts, considering what the IDF faced on multiple fronts, these numbers are nothing less than astounding. We bear witness to miracles of Biblical proportion. Chanukah is a time to reflect on G-d’s goodness and to thank Him. As we say after we light our Menorahs: L’hodos Ulehalel L’shimcha Hagodol al nisecha v’al niflosecha, v’al yeshuasecha, to thank and to praise your great name for your miracles, wonders and salvations.
May we merit to bear witness to the words of our blessing on the Chanukah Lights, may we finally see an end to the war, the return of our hostages and healing and peace for all, bayomim hahem, b’izman hazeh, as it was then for our ancestors, may we see it in this very time. Amen.
N’hiyeh B’kesher, let’s keep in touch,
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory
TORAH
Did You Ask to Be Born?
By Rabbi Yanki Tauber
Once upon a time there was a village full of disgruntled people. All day long they walked around with these sour faces, each bemoaning his troubles, each jealous of her neighbor's successes.
One day, a wise old man arrived in the village. He assembled them all in the village square and said to them: "I want you each to go and bring your most precious possession, the thing you cherish most in your life, and place it here in middle of the square." Soon there was a large pile of bundles and packages, of all shapes and sizes, in the center of the village square.
"Now," instructed the wise man, "you may each select for yourselves any one of these gifts. The choice is yours— take any package you desire."
Every man, woman and child in the village did exactly the same thing. Each chose his own bundle.
The Torah, as we all know, begins at the beginning, describing G-d's creation of the heavens and the earth, the continents and the oceans, vegetation and animal life. Then, in its 26th verse, we proceed to the creation of man. "And G-d said," we read, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..."
Let us? Up to this point—and from here on through the rest of the Torah—G-d is spoken of as the ultimate singularity. He is the Boss, the exclusive source and mover of all. But in this single instance, there is an "us," a choir of opinions, a supernal boardroom before which the Creator places a proposal and asks for approval.
With whom did G-d consult when He desired to create the human being? Our sages offer a number of explanations. One is that G-d asked the angels, so as to temper their later criticisms of the failings of mortal man. Another explanation is that G-d was involving all elements of the universe, or all aspects of His infinitely potentialed being, in the formation of the multi-faceted soul of man. All these explanations, of course, raise at least as many questions as they answer. Indeed, it is regarding this particular verse that the sages have stated: "The Torah says it thus; anyone who wishes to misunderstand, let him misunderstand..." Obviously, there is an important message here to us—important enough that the Torah insists on this particular phraseology despite the fact that it allows for (encourages?) misunderstanding.
But there is one interpretation of this verse which presents us with a conundrum of a paradox. The Midrash offers the following explanation: "With whom did He
consult? With the souls of the righteous." G-d is asking a council of human souls if He should create the human soul!
The plot thickens. Who are these "righteous" (tzaddikim) with whom G-d consulted? According to the prophet Isaiah, "Your people are all tzaddikim." We each posses the soul of a tzaddik (regardless of the extent to which we allow its expression). In other words, G-d asked each and every one of us if we desire to be created, if we choose to accept the challenge of earthly life. Only then did He proceed to create us.
If asking a soul whether it wants to be created sounds like a catch-22, this paradox in fact resolves a much deeper paradox—the paradox of divine decree and human choice.
G-d is forever telling us what to do. Indeed, the very word Torah means "instruction," and that's basically what the Torah is: a series of instructions from on high. And yet we are told that "a fundamental principle of the Torah" is that "freedom of choice has been granted to man." What exactly are our choices, if G-d is constantly instructing us?
The question runs deeper. Let us assume that, in any given situation, under any set of circumstances, the choice is ours as to how we should act. But what kind of choice
If asking a soul whether it wants to be created sounds like a catch-22, this paradox in fact resolves a much deeper paradox—the paradox of divine decree and human choice.
is this, if no one asked us if we want to be in that situation and under those set of circumstances in the first place? What kind of "choice" is there, if we didn't choose whether or not we should be presented with that choice?
So the Torah reveals to us this amazing secret: that ultimate choice was made by us, before we even existed. Before G-d emanated your soul and breathed it into your body, you were asked if you should be. So in every situation in which you find yourself, in every challenge you face in your life—you are there because you chose to be placed in that life.
We go through life complaining, "I didn't ask to be born...!" But a thousand times a day we refute that claim. With countless choices and actions, we affirm that the life we have is the life we want.
Of course we do. After all, we chose it.
Yanki Tauber is a chassidic scholar and the author of eleven books—including the groundbreaking Book of Jewish Knowledge—and hundreds of essays on Jewish and Hasidic thought. From 1999 to 2014 he served as content editor of Chabad.org, the world’s largest Jewish educational website. Tauber is currently a senior editor at the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. He is also editor-in-chief of The Book, a new translation and anthologized commentary for the Five Books of Moses.
You Are a Jew: Chabad and the Antisemites
by Rabbi Moshe Hauer Executive Vice President , Orthodox Union
Everyone has their favorite Chabad story. Here is mine.
A friend once approached a Chabad shaliach (emissary) who would stand at the entrance to the subway station each and every Friday morning, asking people if they were Jewish and offering to help them lay Tefillin. It was exceptionally rare for anyone to stop and accept his offer and my friend wanted to understand how the shaliach kept at it week after week, despite his repeated failure. The shaliach’s response was quintessentially Chabad: “My success rate is 100%. Every Jew that walks by me is reminded that he or she is a Jew.”
Chabad’s dedicated emissaries can be found in every corner of the globe, creating Jewish presence and outposts of Jewish life and caring, reminding Jews of who they are. According to Pew, an astounding 37% of American Jews engage with Chabad from rarely to often.
Two years ago, a group of us from the Orthodox Union had the privilege of attending the dinner event at Chabad’s annual conference of shluchim (emissaries). We went to demonstrate appreciation for their lifesaving work delivering aid and support under fire to the Jews in Russia and Ukraine. As they went through the jaw-dropping roll call of their emissaries throughout the globe, the big screen showed Russia — 222. I leaned over and whispered to a colleague. “Do you see that? We struggle to find a few people to spend a couple of
years of their lives teaching Torah in communities without a kosher pizza store, while Chabad has 222 people who at around the age of 22 decided to go alone to remote corners of Russia where they will care materially and spiritually for Jews, raise their own families, and remain until they die or the Messiah arrives.”
That is what the angels of Chabad do everywhere in the world and that was the mission of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE. No movement or group even remotely approaches Chabad’s relentless dedication to mission and its reach and success in reminding Jews — wherever they may be — of who they are.
No one, that is, other than the antisemites.
The vicious murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan painfully reminded every Jew everywhere that he or she is a Jew. It was not an isolated reminder. The tidal wave of antisemitism that has engulfed the world since October 7 has reminded countless Jews of who they are and moved them to try to find their way home to Jewish tradition and community. Much as the Talmud notes how the empowerment of Haman stimulated more of a resurgence of Jewishness than the positive guidance of generations of prophets, we can observe how hateful antisemitism has outdone the ahavat Yisrael of Chabad in bringing Jews home.
Our hearts are broken for Rabbi Kogan’s family and for the entire Chabad community as they
grieve over this devastating blow. We in the Jewish community would do well to pause and make note of the debt we owe them for their steadfast commitment to all of us, for the Jewish infrastructure they have created and maintain throughout the world, and for reminding us of who we are and the values we stand for.
The vicious murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan painfully reminded every Jew everywhere that he or she is a Jew.
The world would also do well to pause and learn from Chabad’s remarkable army of men and women who never hide or shirk their identity and values but choose instead to work fearlessly anywhere and everywhere to bring light to a darkened world. Their strength should inspire the many who continue to display weakness in their epic failure to act with moral clarity and courage and confront evil and who have chosen instead to cow to popular opinion and tie the hands of Israel. What has been done and said in recent days by the ICC, the UN, the Vatican, and by some in the United States Congress has added wind to the sails of Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, further fueled global antisemitism, and empowered the enemies of the Jewish people. If only they had the moral courage of a Chabad shaliach.
The vicious murder of Rabbi Kogan reminds us Jews of who we are. The life of Rabbi Kogan and of his fellow shluchim should remind all people of good conscience to act with discernment and moral clarity, standing up fearlessly to evil and lovingly offering their support for the good.
Rabbi Zvi Kogan 1996-2024
Hashem Yikom Damav
Like a Brother to all who met him
Zvi Kogan was born in Jerusalem and during his yeshiva years migrated towards Chabad teachings and way of life. After Kogan served his mandatory IDF service with the 84th Givati Brigade—an infantry brigade part of the Southern Command, he joined his older brother, Reuven Kogan, and the team of rabbis at Chabad of the UAE.
“Zvi was the heart of the people, and like a brother to all who met him,” said an Israeli businessman in Abu Dhabi who asked not to be identified. “This is very hard for all of us here.”
In early 2022 Zvi met his wife, Rivky Spielman, a native of New York and the two got married soon after. Rivky is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, the Chabad emissaries murdered by terrorists together with four of their guests at Chabad of Mumbai in 2008.
After their wedding, the Kogans moved permanently to the Emirates. Rivky taught in the local Jewish school and Zvi managed logistics at the Chabad center in Abu Dhabi.
Kogan also managed and operated the kosher supermarket in Dubai—Rimon Market—which opened in December of 2022, as well as acting as an aide to Rabbi Levi Duchman, director of Chabad of the UAE. He was also instrumental in the building of Dubai’s first ever mikvah, completed in 2021.
The couple connected with the thousands of Jewish visitors and residents in the UAE.“I ate at their home every Shabbat—me and at least 20 others,” says another member of the local Jewish community. “When I was going through a bad break-up, Zvi coached me through it; he was there for me. And I was just one of the people, there were many more that he helped.”
"He did what he felt was right, and others followed," recalled his close friend, Rabbi Chaim Heber. "Though he did not grow up in Chabad, his conviction drew him to embrace the Rebbe and Chabad as the guiding forces of his life. He thought nothing of breaking boundaries and confidently following his own path."
"I met Zvi in Dubai right after the Abraham Accords in 2020. With Jewish life growing by leaps and bounds here, I had moved to the UAE as part of the Chabad team. Zvi arrived shortly after me, and he was a ball of energy. When Zvi walked into a room, he lit it up—the tempo lifted, and the vibe instantly changed. He had this charming Israeli accent that made everything he said in English hilarious—and he knew it! He would come over and say, “Achi [‘my brother’], that was crazy.” Sometimes it truly was crazy, but often it was just the way he experienced things that made them seem crazy."
"From the moment I met him, I wanted to be around his energy—it was contagious! And I wasn’t the only one. Zvi had a way of connecting with people in 0.3 seconds, instantly becoming your best friend and always staying in touch. He was the guy everyone wanted to be around; he was everyone's best friend."
MAZEL TOVS
‘87 Lori and Marc Ben Ezra announce the birth of their grandson, Mordechai Doron, on November 19, 2024.
Jon and Randi Hershkowitz announce the birth of their grandchildren, Natan Tuvia on February 10, 2024, to Rachel (Hershkowitz) and Aaron Dov Turkel. Nechama Orah on August 13, 2024, to Nate and Rochel Hershkowitz. Nosson Shraga on October 9, 2024, to Yitzy and Leorah Hershkowitz.
‘95 Hadasa and Emanuel Behar announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Naftali Tzvi Hirsch.
‘96 Andrew and Nili Yolin announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jonah Leo, Yonah Leib, on October 20, 2024.
‘97 Avram and Yuttie Pollinger announce the wedding of their daughter, Chanah, to Yedidia Tuvia, on June 26, 2024, and the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Moshe, on Kislev 29 (5785), 2024.
‘01 Ahuva and Yehoshua November announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Musia, on Elul 11 (5784), 2024.
‘04 Oren and Tamara (Weisman) Farber announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Charles Bryce, on September 1, 2024.
‘05 David and Linda Rahmani announce the birth of their son Yaakov Netanel on December 7, 2024. He was welcomed home by big brothers Benjamin and Moshe.
Meeka and David Natanov announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Eden, on November 3, 2024.
‘06 Shlomo and Yael (Tilevitz) Lockerman announce the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Meira, on July 11, 2024.
‘07 Miriam and Eli Meltzer announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Chaim Yehudah, on Elul 18 (5784), 2024.
‘08 Vicky and Bradley Smallberg announce the birth of their daughter D’vorah Chava on June 4, 2024. She was welcomed home by big brothers David, Eliyahu, and Shmuel.
‘09 Boris and Esther Tadchiev announce the birth of their son, Yonah Aaron on May 28, 2024. He was welcomed home by big brothers Liam Levi and Ilan Ezra.
‘11 Rachel (Graff) and Elliott Levine announce the birth of their son, Shimon Yisroel, on June 13, 2024. He was welcomed home by big sister, Nachama, and big brother, Yitzi.
Evan and Miriam Lieberman announce their marriage on August 29, 2024. Evan is a Doctor and Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology at NYU Langone Medical Center and Miriam is a Doctor and Clinical Fellow in Hematology-Oncology at Maimonides Medical Center. They make the Upper East Side of Manhattan their home.
Carly (Cooper) and Aaron Wolff announce the birth of their daughter, Eliana, on February 26, 2024. She was welcomed home by big sister, Mia.
‘12 Jenna (Salner) and Joshua Weisblum announce the birth of their son, Chayim Elimelech (Jackson Phillip), on April 20, 2024. He was welcomed home by big sister, Charlotte Bella.
Aaron and Carly (Cooper) Wolff announce the birth of their daughter (see ‘11 for full details).
Dayna (Driscoll) and David Muller announce the birth of their daughter, Livia Tzofiah, on October 24, 2024. She was welcomed home by big sisters Emmy and Raya.
‘13 Oren and Samantha (Greenstein) Rasekh announce the birth of their daughter, Tamar Shoshana, on November 20, 2024. She was welcomed home by big sister Galit, and big brother Eyal.
Avi and Jessica Alboher announce the birth of their son, Netanel Yair on July 24, 2024. He was welcomed home by big brothers Shmuel Maor, and Matan Areyh.
Rachel (Herring) and Ayal Adamit announce the birth of their son, Adiv, on May 30, 2024. He was welcomed home by big brother, Noam.
‘14 Ayal and Rachel (Herring) Adamit announce the birth of their son, Adiv. (See ‘13 for full details).
Rebecca (Bandler) and Jonathan Schehr announce the birth of their daughter Eden Raquel on December 15, 2024.
Rebecca (Rosen) and Jacob Shamsian announce the birth of their son,
Caleb Amichai, on October 13, 2024. He was welcomed home by big brother, Judah Ramy.
Roshana (Sirkin) and Steven Saunders announce the birth of their daughter, Libby Jae, on February 27, 2024.
‘15 Molly (Sigel) and Yonah Reback announce the birth of their daughter, Eliana Shira, on April 1, 2024.
Todd and Amanda (Berman) Spiro announce the birth of their daughter, Molly Naomi, on August 30, 2024. She was welcomed home by big brother, Adam.
Ilana Ben-Ezra and Mendy Zecher announce the birth of their son, Mordechai Doron on November 19, 2024.
‘16 Jason and Renee Cutler announce the birth of their daughter, Yosefa Devorah, on April 10, 2024.
David Feigenbaum was married to Michelle Handis on November 3, 2024. David is a Mechanical Engineer at Globus Medical working on spine implants. Michelle is currently the Assistant Principal for Kindergarten - 2nd grade at Universal Creighton Charter School in Philadelphia where they make their home.
‘17 Jacob and Elisheva Blitstein announce the birth of their daughter, Avigail Eliana Nira, on June 4, 2024.
Ben and Judy Rosenwein announce the birth of their daughter Talia Sophia on December 19, 2024.
‘18 Daniel Shuster announces his engagement to Becca Landau. A June 2025 wedding is planned. Daniel is a Customer Success Manager at Trullion and Becca is a Product Manager at American Express. They will be making their home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Shelby Mandel was married to Shimmy Rapp on November 4, 2024. Shelby is a registered nurse at Mt Sinai West; Shimmy works in the tie industry at LNK Neckwear. They make their home in NYC.
Jacob and Abigail (Greenbaum) Salner announce the birth of their son, Beryl Toby on June 29, 2024.
Jessica Hill announces her engagement to Zak Benarroch; a February 16, 2025 marriage is planned. Jessica is a registered nurse at Lenox Hill Hospital; Zak works at Goldman Sachs and is the Chazan at 5th Ave Synagogue. They will make their home in NYC.
Cole Tobias and Dana Wahn announce their engagement. A spring or summer 2026 wedding is planned. Cole is an accountant and Dana is a nurse. They will make their home in Long Beach NY.
Jesse Dimitro ‘18 announces his engagement to Maddie Richter ‘19 David Besharim announces his marriage to Ofir Hadari on June 27, 2024.
Jessica (Adler) and Josh Eagle announce the birth of their daughter, Chana Yael, on October 11, 2024. She was welcomed home by big sister, Mollie.
Continued on Page 11
SYMPATHIES
Chabad mourns the passing of … Ari Levine husband of Ariella (Feld) Levine ‘94, and father of Michal Levine ‘26 on June 4, 2024.
Dr. Robert Glaser, Rachmiel ben Yaakov, father of Debra '01 Oralevich and Judith Soniker '01, and father in law of Mickey Oralevich '00, on November 14, 2024.
Israel Jay Safier, father of Paula Safier-Jayson ‘92 on November 25, 2024.
May the families be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
For up to date Chabad Alumni news, visit: www.facebook.com/ChabadBUAlumni
BU Alumnus Steps up for Unit 107
By Alan Zeitlin ‘00
After the Hamas attacks of October 7, Arielle Katz was thinking about what she could do besides watching news coverage on TV. Many wrongly assumed that soldiers had everything they needed. It turned out that due to the unprecedented callup of so many reserves, there were many items in short supply. Still, some thought established organization would donate what was needed.
But Ariel Katz knew that time was of the essence.
“I remember feeling very helpless; wanting to do something after October 7th. I was looking for a way to meaningfully contribute somewhere,” Katz said. “So, I was grateful to have found an outlet where I could channel that and do something productive.”
Katz joined a group of others in a grassroots effort that started in response to WhatsApp requests from Israeli friends on the frontlines, and quickly turned into dozens of daily submissions to an IDF request form they set up that went viral. Before long there were 400 volunteers moblized to raise funds, buy non-tactical supplies such as knee pads, G-Shock watches, headlights, soft shells, and jackets, hats and gloves and more.
"All at specific request of the soldiers, so it was exactly what they needed," Katz explained.
We had people manning "distribution centers" to which the supplies was shipped from Amazon. It was also in these apartments that duffel bags were carefully packed. Others made "airport runs" to get the supplies to people travelling to Israel.
"On one such run, it turned out that the guy taking the duffels from me was the little brother of a classmate of mine. He had actually just been discharged from the IDF six months prior to October 7 and was now going back to serve. He was dropped off at the airport by his aunt with whom I have a relationship. Standing there in that moment, it hit me what a special people we are. Just one small, big family. All showing up in any way we could. It was powerful!" shared Katz.
“ It hit me what a special people we are. Just one small, big family. ”
Unit 107, was what the group comprised of young Jewish professionals with years of experience
running our own businesses, working at Israel’s top tech startups, and holding positions at Fortune 500 companies, decided to call themselves. Together they made a huge impact.
Katz, who is from White Plains, New York, said that while not everyone is lucky enough to meet their spouse in college, it is important to be open and ready for possibilities, whether be it a social or work environment.
Though she didn’t go to Chabad every Friday night, she did meet her future husband, Andrew there on a Friday night.
“I don’t think he had a (pickup) line,” Katz said.
Was it his hair?
“He would like to think so,” she said.
The couple got married in 2022.
“He didn’t propose in any crazy way, but it wound up being a torrential monsoon in a park, so that was a bit crazy,” she said.
Katz now works at Google as a curriculum manager of trust and safety that encompasses a number of areas. Part of her job is to make sure that when people download apps they are free of malware and she is also involved in content moderation.
She said the academic rigor of Binghamton was helpful, as was taking a leadership position at her sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi, where she learned how to relate to people. She said no matter how “booksmart” someone is, it is essential to have people skills in order to advance one’s career.
She said of course the buzz in the media is about
Alan Zeitlin teaches English and Journalism at a Brooklyn public high school. As a freelance writer for the past 11 years, his articles have appeared in The Jewish Week, The Jewish News and other publications.
Amazon deliveries arrive at one of the "distribution centers."
It takes an extraordinary person to be an angel.
The children of Chai Lifeline are grateful to the many super-extraordinary people at
The Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life and Sigma Delta Tau at
BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
For being our amazing Chanukah Angels.
We love the toys, games, and gifts. But we are blown away by the caring and compassion that led you to make sure our Chanukahs were super bright this year.
REBECCASZLECHTER’26
Writer Strives to Showcase the Truth About Israel
By Alan Zeitlin ‘00
As part of her summer internship with the Jerusalem Post, Rebecca Szlechter interviewed someone who did a trick she didn’t understand. The 20-yearold from Queens, New York met Israeli mentalist Lior Suchard, who asked her to think of a character and correctly knew Spongebob SquarePants was who she was thinking of.
“I really don’t know how he did it,” Szlechter said. “It was the coolest thing ever.”
While that was on the lighter side, a heavier one was when she interviewed the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, when he was a hostage in Gaza.
“I remember thinking who am I to interview someone whose child is held captive in Gaza right now,” Szlechter said. “I was talking to the staff of the Jerusalem Post and they said even the top journalists in the world don’t understand what they are feeling. You just have to speak to people, learn, and listen. I asked Hersh's father what he was most looking forward to when his son came home and he said, ‘just a peaceful Friday night with the family, hanging out, the way it was.’ You could see that when you were speaking to them, you were speaking to loving parents. It was heartbreaking to later find out that Hersh was killed.”
Szlechter, who attended Central as well as Ramaz for high school, and spent a year in Israel attending Bar-Ilan University, said she always loved writing and psychology
and created her own major of Journalism and Public Relations.
The junior writes for the campus newspaper, Pipe Dream, for the Opinion section as well as Arts. She said many were disappointed by the paper’s coverage after October 7, including an article that claimed a New York Time story about sexual assault against Israeli women on October 7 was “debunked.”
Szelchter said some told her it would be the wrong move to join the campus newspaper, but she decided otherwise.
“A lot of my friends were like, ‘they (Pipe Dream) don’t even want you and they only care about one voice,” she said. “I thought to myself: that makes it even more important that my voice be heard. I decided it was important to me to write what is factually accurate, even if I will get a lot of hate. Most people at Pipe Dream probably disagree with me about Israel, and that’s okay. One mother of a Binghamton student DM’d me to say that it makes her more comfortable to know that the newspaper has someone writing facts. That meant a lot.”
She said she was assured she would be treated equally and fairly by Pipe Dream’s Editor-In-Chief.
Along with articles about a new music album and extra time allotted to students for testing, Israel-related articles she’s written include one called “IDF’s Efforts To Minimize Civilian Casualties Must Be Recognized” as well as one about how the attack against Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam was fueled by the same hateful chants that are said at universities around the world.
Rebecca says her time at Chabad of Binghamton has been rewarding.
“When I see Rivky, I feel like I’m
seeing my grandmother,” she said. “She is so kind and so welcoming. At the end of the week, after everyone has done all the work, you feel that you need it. It’s such a constant. So are all of the events held during the week. Even though Chabad is so big, it feels small, like you could talk to anyone there and are close with a lot of people.”
She said her favorite Shabbat dish at Chabad is the sesame noodles.
She said that despite some negative press, the campus is a great place for Jewish life.
“There are so many opportunities to channel your Judaism here,” she said. “You feel the community here at Chabad. I wasn’t able to go home for the first days of Sukkos. But it was great.”
Rebecca has competed in chess tournaments and was ranked in the top 500 in New York State in 2019. She said she learned how to play from her father, who would always play chess with her on Shabbat. She is a member of the Chess Club at Binghamton and said the skills she learned from chess have helped her be tactical in life.
She advises people not to feel check mated even if people are against them in big numbers.
“I remind myself that just because a lot of people may disagree with me, the truth has always been smaller and more quiet,” she said. ‘When people are wrong, they are loud, and they yell. What matters in every case are the facts.”
What’s her next move?
Likely moving to Israel sometime after she graduates from college, she said.
Alan Zeitlin teaches English and Journalism at a Brooklyn public high school. As a freelance writer for the past 11 years, his articles have appeared in The Jewish Week, The Jewish News and other publications.
Continued from Page 6
Stephen Eliau announces his engagement to Ariel Hadad. A June 2025 wedding is planned in Israel. Stephen is a lawyer and Arielle is a ceramic artist and part-time teacher. They plan on making New York City their home.
Hannah Wild announces her engagement to Jacob Jaffe. Hannah is a nursery school teacher at 92NY and a religious school teacher at Temple Emanuel. Jacob is a medical and science copywriter. They will make Montclair, New Jersey their home.
‘20 Hannah Blas announces her marriage to Boaz Smigel on December 1, 2024. Boaz is a law student at Hebrew University and Hannah is working as a data analyst. They make their home in Jerusalem, Israel. Gabe and Ariella Shore announce the birth of their daughter, Shaina Gitel (Serena), on August 19, (Tu B’av) 2024.
Josh and Jessica (Adler) Eagle announce the birth of their daughter, Chana Yael (see ‘19 for full details).
Jacob Jaffe announces his engagement to Hannah Wild (see ‘19 for full details).
Hannah (Siegel) and Jacob Mitrani announce the birth of their son, Raziel Yitzchok, on December 20, 2024.
‘21 Adam Etessami announces his marriage to Daniela Kashi on November 27, 2024.
Daniel Mirsky announces his engagement to Eva Spier
Sasha Schreiber announces her engagement to Elie Kern. A March 2025 wedding is planned. Sasha is a Registered Nurse and Elie is in law school. They will make their home on the Upper West Side in New York.
Molly Singer announces her engagement to Elior Ben-Hamo. A July 2025 wedding is planned. Molly is a nurse in Jerusalem and Elior is a sound engineer in Tel Aviv. They will make their home in Jerusalem.
‘22 Josh Feldman and Hailey Fixler announce their engagement; a July 2025 wedding is planned. Hailey will work as a medical assistant before heading to PA school in August. Josh works in Real Estate. They plan on making the Upper West Side in New York their home. Yakir Sacknovitz (23’ MS) and Leora Chasen announce their engagement; a June 2025 wedding is planned. Yakir is a Valuation Associate at Alvarez and Marsal; Leora is at Touro Dental School.
‘23 Seth Silverman was married to Shira Wax on November 5, 2024. Seth is a sales associate at the London Stock Exchange; Shira is a makeup artist. They make their home in NYC.
Kyla Mintz announces her engagement to Eitan Karsch; a spring 2025 wedding is planned. Kayla is a consultant at Ernst & Young. Eitan
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technological advancements through AI, Artificial Intelligence, but the important skill of making good friends will never diminish.
“My friends from college have lasted a long time,” she said. “I would not underplay the importance of building strong relationships with people.”
There will likely be no replacement for Rivky’s challah or the Rabbi’s cholent, but what about a car that goes by itself?
“I have yet to have the opportunity to get into a driverless car,” Katz said. “I tried the self-driving feature on Tesla and it freaked me out, so I may be a late adapter. But I think they are very capable.”
Katz said there is no secret sauce to landing a job at Google, but said there is a trait one must have to succeed there.
“I got used to being able to work independently across different disciplines,” she said. “At Google, you
graduated from the University of Chicago and is a financial analyst at Province.
Maya Klibanoff and Gabe Plotsker announce their engagement; a May 29, 2025 wedding is planned. Maya is an Assistant Buyer at Ross; Gabe is an Analyst with Arbor Realty Trust. They will make their home in NYC.
Ilana Winter and Ben Maybaum announce their engagement.
Gabrielle Schoenberg and Yehuda Silverman announce their engagement; a June 2025 wedding is planned. Gabby works as a medical assistant for a leading cardiologist and is pursuing a future as a Physician Assistant; Hootie is an Equity Research Analyst at Morgan Stanley. They will make their home in NYC.
Adina Horowitz and Simon Weintraub announce their engagement; a March 2026 wedding is planned. Adina is completing her MSW at Silberman School of Social Work (Hunter College) and Simon is an industrial engineer at Burlington. They will make their home in NYC.
Jacob Schwadron and Inbal Katz announce their engagement. ‘24 Noah Petak and Zoe Galandaur announce their marriage on November 26, 2024.
Barbara Salama and Joey Massre announce their marriage on August 18, 2024.
Ari Besterman and Sarah Fischer announce their engagement. A March 6, 2025 wedding is planned. Ari is working at Ernst and Young doing Financial Services Consulting. Sarah is in the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) doctoral program. They plan on living in the Teaneck area.
Hailey Fixler and Josh Feldman announce their engagement. (see ‘22 for full details).
Moshe Koenigsberg and Ilana Sacolick announce their engagement; an August 10, 2025 wedding is planned. Ilana is getting her Masters in Teaching from Columbia Teachers College and plans to teach high school Biology; Moshe is a Business Development intern at the Israel Economic Mission to the US-East Coast. They will make their home in NYC.
Simon Weintraub and Adina Horowitz announce their engagement (see ‘23 for full details).
Inbal Katz and Jacob Schwadron announce their engagement (see ‘23 for full details).
Hannah Kirsch announces her engagement to Joey Dresdner; an August 10, 2025, is planned. Hannah is in corporate development at Sharsheret; Joey is studying Computer Engineering at Rutgers. They will make their home in New Jersey.
Miriam Frankel and Yehuda Davis announce their engagement.
have to be industrious and be comfortable taking things in your own hands and in Binghamton, I got a little taste of that.”
She said while at Binghamton, she enjoyed her time at Chabad, and she was happy to see the great impact it made on the students. She also said she worked with Rabbi Levi to engage Greek Life.
Katz said it is important that college students don’t think they have to have every single thing figured out. I used to get stressed about being intentional and having plans preparations for situations,” she said. “You don’t always have to focus on your next move or your long-term plan, unless you are going to law school. A first job can be a step to a next one. You don’t always have to have everything so buttoned up on your resume.”
At the same time, Katz has lived by her philosophy of being proactive, rather than sitting on the sidelines.
It was all in for first year students with a slew of welcome events that included: Move in Day Brunch, an Ice Cream Social, Freshmen Falafel and the iconic Jewau Cruise.
For a full gallery of pictures of these events and others, please visit: www.JewishBU.com/photos
Jewish Bearcats
And then there was the famous Welcome ChaBBQ for all students. What a great start!
Let Here Be Light!
Binghamton was all fired up at the LET HERE BE LIGHT event, part of a tour arranged by Chabad on Campus International which brought Jewish pride and joy to campuses across the country. The event featured various booths, great food and an Epic Concert with Nissim Black! (see page 24 for more)
For a full gallery of pictures of
There is nothing quite like the holidays on campus with soulful services for Yom Kippur and the delicious, rolicking meals in the gargantuan Chabad Sukkah, Sukkah Mobiles on campus, not to mention Rock n' Ribs and an absolutely off the charts Simchat Torah!
MAIN EVENTS
Binghamton got a rise at the annual Mega Challah Bake. Nothing to say but mad, delicious fun was had by all.
For a full gallery of pictures of these events and others, please visit: www.JewishBU.com/photos
Chabad and SDT students raised close to 25k in the annual Light up a Life Toy Drive. The toys are distributed to children in hospitals through Chai Lifeline. The drive kicked off with the Color Run and concluded with a Casino Night event.
At ASHKEFARDIC NIGHT participants enjoyed an explosion of fun and joy with a feast for the senses that included a spirited Havdallah, a sumptuous buffet of foods associated with Jewish communities around the world, costumes, Henna and information about the plethora of varied Jewish customs.
Girls Night Out. Poke Bowls. Tambourine Decorating.
Boys Night Out. Game night.
Fun. Fun. Fun.
PIZZA & PARASHA
SINAI SCHOLARS JEWISH LIFE EXCURSION SINAI SCHOLARS GRADUATIONS –at Chabad Downtown at Chabad HQ JEWISH U
PANAPOLY
SUPPER & STUDY
Orit Mark Ettinger travelled from Israel to deliver the annual Piaker Memorial Lecture she titled, Broken Ray of Light. The event, with sponsorship from the Jewish Federation served as the October 7 Memorial gathering for the Binghamton Community. Ettinger inspired the crowd as she shared her life story and her insistence on facing each day with joy and fortitude.
Did you know what is happening at
Yeshivat Binghamton?
During the Fall Semester, there were 350 different students who enjoyed 675 learning sessions weekly. This does not include the non stop learning in the Bais.
