5
YEARS OF YOUR IMPACT
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CELEBRATING
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CHabad on Fulton Jewish Student Center Serving Vassar
Annual Report 2017/18
Students give out Challah on campus to inspire others to try a Shabbat dinner!
5
years ago, Dalia and I made a move! A move that would dedicate the rest of our lives towards revolutionizing the Vassar Jewish community. We are on a mission to create a space of guidance and positivity to foster Jewish identity. Since then, you have been a rock of strength during a hard time of students’ lives. You have provided the warmth of community and the care that only a Jewish home away from home can. Meaningful interactions with Jewish scholars give students the chance to intellectually engage with their Jewish identity, as adults, through text-based learning. Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations are joyous, uplifting experiences. You have made Vassar students enjoy being Jewish! (Which is what will keep them involved as adults.)
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"Before I met You, I didn t know what a Mitzvah was... ...To be quite honest, I didn,t know Natalie S. ‘20 Even though both of my parents are Jewish and are absolutely incredible parents and wonderful people, they did not instill in me a sense of pride for my Judaism nor did they provide a Jewish education. A few months in to my first semester at Vassar, I met Dalia and everything changed, thanks to you! After getting to know her and how amazing she is as a human, a spiritual leader, a mother and an advice giver, I followed her suggestion to attend Shabbat dinner at Chabad.
These classes were my first handson experience learning directly from the Torah and other Jewish scholars. Being surrounded by other young, eager-to-learn Jews helped me realize that Judaism isn’t outdated. This was one of the first Shabbats I’d ever been to and I loved it. I loved the people, the feeling of community and how it felt like home from the moment I walked in. Despite my lack of Jewish knowledge, Rabbi Daniel and Dalia welcomed me with open arms and without judgements no matter how many seemingly obvious questions I asked. I started attending a women’s study group Dalia held once a week to learn more about Judaism and how it
much about Judaism." influences our everyday lives. These classes were my first hands-on experience learning directly from the Torah and other Jewish scholars. Being surrounded by other young, eager-to-learn Jews helped me realize that Judaism isn’t outdated. Even though it’s a religion established thousands of years ago, the values still hold true today. Learning alongside my peers provided the foundation for me take pride in and explore my Judaism in college. I cannot stress how grateful I am that you gave me a home away from home at the Chabad house and a place to learn and grow in my Judaism. You and all the events, Shabbats and classes I’ve attended have helped me to understand Judaism as both a culture and a religion. Judaism is a way of life and also a community of likeminded, intelligent, and wonderful individuals. Without Chabad I wouldn’t have had an outlet to explore my Judaism. In the past few months I even gave myself my own Jewish name, Naama, with the help of Rabbi Daniel and Dalia. Being a part of this community and meeting fellow students and friends who have similar values and aspirations, I’ve realized I have so much more to learn and want to learn it all! I’m so grateful for you, Dalia and Rabbi Daniel for welcoming me in to the community, helping me start my Jewish journey and making me proud of my Judaism.
Dalia’s weekly womens’ study group focuses on Judaism’s approach to gender and feminism. These relationships last a lifetime!
You are in a unique position to ensure that those pesky weeds do not overrun our garden and threaten our future.
You are at the crossroads of the Jewish future.
Havdallah service
If you reap what you sow, Which Seeds are you planting? “What happened to the seeds I carefully germinated, delicately transplanted and lovingly watered?” I was shocked to see my veggie garden after spending a month in Israel. I poked around, pulled up some weeds and slowly but surely found the plants! They were just covered and concealed by a sea of grass and weeds… The Ba’al Shem Tov instructed us that everything we experience is a teachable moment. As the warm breeze twirled the fringes of my tzitzis, I realized that the seeds we sow in life are the plants that will growth in the way that we tend them. With the right guidance, they will overcome, no matter if they are overwhelmed by benign grass or nefarious weeds. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I started asking myself, which Jewish seeds are we planting within Vassar students? And how will we properly tend to their needs?
One road leads to our greatest existential threat, apathy. Students who simply do not care about their Jewish identity. Even with a steep increase in anti-semitism and anti-Israel bias, nothing is more dangerous than a rising generation of Jews who are undereducated. Jews who lack a basic appreciation of what it means to be Jewish. Luckily, for every problem there is a solution and another road to lead students down.
Now is the time for you to act! Students’ Jewish identity is at risk. Giving to our Chabad House can bring Vassar students down a road with an abundance of Jewish learning and mentorship from spiritual leaders. A welcoming road, cozy with the warmth of community. A road traveled with friends, with joyous dancing as we celebrate our holidays. A wise road that has experienced Jewish values of refining the world. A road where students are proud to be Jewish.
Which future would you like to nourish?
Warmly, Rabbi Daniel
Education & Mentorship
Problems students are facing
Solutions you can provide them
Without a basic knowledge of Judaism, students find it hard to appreciate what it means be Jewish. This generation is out of touch, not because they are opposed to Judaism, rather they are unaware of their rich intellectual heritage.
Teach and explore Jewish thought to understand the reasons behind practices to foster Jewish involvement. Engage students with intellectually stimulating Jewish exploration through classes and one-on-one study.
Shabbat & holidays Students crave a home environment after a week of classes in an institution and mountains of homework. They are in need of a way to balance their lives. In addition, being away from home for the holidays is hard and lonely for students.
Our family style, weekly Shabbat dinner and discussion feeds and comforts their body and soul, providing the harmony they need to succeed. Be their Jewish home away from home! For every holiday, help students celebrate in an open, welcoming home environment. Inspire students to one day celebrate the holidays in their own homes.
Social & Cultural Events A strong sense of community is crucial for students to be proud of their Jewish identity. On campus, it is a challenge to have such an awareness.
Create a space where being Jewish is fun and exciting while being open to all. Hosting social events and casual hangouts fosters a sense of belonging to our tribe. Helping students understand what it means to be part of a Jewish community will encourage them to stay active after they graduate.
Two years ago, we sent our youngest son Jacob off to Vassar College... filled with questions about what was to come By: Lois and David Miller P'20
One of the things that I had always hoped for Jacob was that he would find a path to feeling more Jewish as he grew older. When I would speak to him about becoming involved in Jewish organizations on campus I was typically met with some type of negative response. The truth is, despite my best efforts and the fact that he had been Bar Mitzvahed, I felt I had failed to provide him with a strong background in Judaism.
not the Jacob that I know. Rabbi Daniel and Dalia have made Judaism and Israel a major part of his life. He has been to Israel twice; once on birthright and the other through Chabad.
He found himself involved in student government and, for the first time, faced anti-Semitism.
He is keeping kosher and is the founder and president of the proIsrael organization on Vassar's campus.
I'm not quite sure how he found Chabad but you were a major part of his life in short order.
He has also received a fellowship to support positive dialogue about Israel and is currently an intern in New York City with AIPAC.
As Jacob typically does, the moment he arrived on campus he became enmeshed in the political culture of the school. He found himself involved in student government and, for the first time, faced anti-Semitism. I'm not quite sure how he found Chabad but you were a major part of his life in short order. Fast-forward to today and the Jacob that I knew is
He is also now moving towards a double major in biochemistry and Judaic Studies and next semester he will be studying abroad at Tel Aviv University. In Chabad, Jake found a spiritual center and a home away from home. I could not be more thankful or grateful for all that you have done for him. I am confident that the impact that you have made on him in this short amount of time will last him the rest of his life.
As a Vassar Alumna,
this is why I am leaving a legacy with Chabad on Fulton and you should too!
By: Alice Keidan Lanckton '64 It warms my heart to know Jewish Vassar students can enjoy holidays and learning frequently at Chabad on Fulton. I see how welcoming both Rabbi and Dalia are to Jewish student with any kind of Jewish background. So I have become their devoted supporter, both emotionally and financially.
provide many opportunities for Jewish students to learn about Judaism at this intellectual and mature time in their lives. Thirty-one students studied in regular weekly classes at Chabad inn 2017-18.
The Chabad House is such a far cry from our little group of 20 students who met on our own... No Jewish groups existed then.
One of my favorite innovations is "Rosh HaShanah in a Rush." After leading regular Rosh HaShanah services in the mornings, in the afternoons Rabbi Sanoff and his family takes the trusty Shofar with apples and honey to the Vassar quad. There, he helps any Jewish students who come by to hear the Shofar blasts and endulge in the sweetness of apples and honey. And that has meant LOTS of Shofar services. Rabbi Sanoff and Dalia regularly host lively, homey Friday night Shabbat dinners, with students now also dropping in to help Dalia prepare on Thursday nights. Holiday celebrations include Sukkot (with a Sukkah on campus with the VJU), Purim (hence the amusing costumed students who appear at the beginning of this report) and a birthday party for the Torah on Shavuot. And in my view most important, Rabbi and Dalia
Rabbi Sanoff and Dalia together had 281(!!!) personal meetings just last academic year with students who wanted to learn more about Judaism.
This is such a far cry from our little group of 20 students who met on our own to make and share a Pesadich dinner each night during Passover in 1960-64. A very kind professor and housefellow at Noyes allowed us to kosher his kitchen and use it. We were thankful, and charmed particularly that he was from Egypt. But it was the only support we got. No Jewish groups existed.
I love Chabad on Fulton, support them, and will
leave in my will a legacy to continue supporting them. Please consider doing the same. This is a group where your support makes all the difference.
Want Vassar students to always be proud of being Jewish? Consider making a legacy gift to
Chabad on Fulton
THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS YOU'VE INSPIRED You gave this many students a weekly Jewish education!
Meaningful one on one interactions with Jewish leaders that you've provided
Total # of students involved and inspired
Thanks to you, this many students celebrated the holidays!
Statement of Financial Activity July 1st, 2017 - June 30rd, 2018
If our finances grew like the impact of our programs, we would have a sound fiscal report to share. But, unfortunately this is not the case. We had a challenging year financially outside of a generous capital gift from the Rohr Family Foundation towards purchasing the property of our future location. This past year, we operated at a loss of $92,643. The vast majority will be deferred as back pay for Rabbi Daniel and Dalia over the next several years. We hope that the following year will see a major increase in donations and financial support to secure the future of our Jewish Student Center. Total Number of Gifts 176 Total Numbers of Donors 120
How many students relax and rejuvinate during weekly Shabbat dinners
# of students who are warmed by our weekly social gatherings
Breakdown of Donors: 40% Parents 42% Alumnae/i 18% Friends
Revenue Total Donations Annual Fund $86,637 Building Fund $150,000 Total Donations $236,637 Gross Revenue $236,637 Expenditures Real Estate Purchase $150,000 Operations $23,196 Facility $25,309 Holiday and Shabbat Programs $23,666 Educational Programs $2,425 Payroll $97,022 Business Expenses $4,923 Development $2,596 Trainings $143 Total Expenditures $329,280 Net Operating Revenue -$92,643
We are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up that personal, intimate touch that means the world to the students. Our ability to be there for students, to care for their individual development and to encourage their spiritual progress is a real challenge we are facing with the growing numbers of students involved.
5 YEars in, what's next?
By: Dalia Sanoff The impact you had on the Vassar Jewish community over the past five years is clear, the question that remains is what will the next five, ten and twenty years look like? Before getting ahead of ourselves, let’s look back at the past five years. In 2013, Daniel and I moved to Poughkeepsie to fill a gap in Jewish life on campus. That was a permanent move, we are here for life! G-d willing, our kids will be raised here and we will mature to a ripe old age together serving the Vassar Jewish community. Vassar is OUR home. Our first year was hard, really hard. Most Friday night Shabbat dinners were spent alone, just the two of us… once in a while one or two students would show up, to our delight. Slowly, over the years, involvement increased. Over the years, we realized that through individualized personal attention students started getting interested in learning more about Judaism, experiencing the celebration of the holidays and enjoying the comfort of being part of a Jewish community. Now, when we have 35 students at Shabbat dinner, our small student center is packed to the brim.
I struggle trying to decide where to focus, do we want the crowds which create a vibrant community or the one-on-one study and conversations that really transform people’s lives? We want to be available to help and educate more students. To address this, we came up with a plan, an ambitious plan, but one that will secure the future of the campus Jewish community. Over the next five years, you can help increase your impact on students and our ability to provide for their needs. To achieve this, there are two major projects: 1. Build a large Jewish student center that has all of the necessary commercial amenities, but will always feel like a home. No matter how large our center will be, we plan on always keeping the warmth of an intimate house. 2. To allow Rabbi Daniel and me to focus most of our time and energy on students, we need to have an endowment fund. Every moment that we spend on administrative tasks is wasting a potential lifetime of Jewish involvement. A small administrative staff equals more impact on students’ Jewish identity. This January, we took the first steps of our plan. With the generosity of the Rohr Family Foundation, we purchased a property on College Ave! Now we are just a stone’s throw from Campus. If you would like more information or to help us taking the next steps, let us know.
Parents
Thank You for fighting to Save the Jewish People!!!
Sigal Ben-Porath Hannah Bloch Victor Bobo Ariane Brandt Hal Brill
Larry & Liz Brownridge
Pauline Buck Robin Charlow Rodica & Jacob Cohen Jill Dugan Jacqueline Elias Keith & Michelle Firestone
Rivkah Fishman Andy Flagg
Elizabeth Friedfeld-Gebaide
Nir and Eti Friedman Geiduschek Family Susan and Jon Gerson
Amy Glickman Leonard Goldstein Les Gutfreund Hope Haiman Hedy Howard Louis Krilov
Miles and Roberta Kuttler
Joan Lambert Vicky Linker Geoffrey Mamlet
Emily and Tim Marbach Lois and David Miller
Jak and Liz Ninyo Susan Okrent Melissa Pachon Ruben Perlmutter Laura Pravitz-Rosen Brad Rodgers Lisa Rosenblum Alan Rosenthal Marguerite Sarlin Sam Sokolov
Abby and Nelson Stacks
Eve Stern Nancy Weil Bonnie Weisman Bernard Werber Robert Whitman Rosalie Wolff
Alumnae/i Ed & Shari Adler Scott Aronin Yoni Auerbach Mark Banschick Dean Ben-Benjamin Elle Berger Jane Bergner Andrew Blustein Heather Ciociola Ziva Dahl Andrew Eisen Linda Englander Joanne Feuerman Eric Fishman Elliot Gerson Emma Glickman Jeffrey Goodman Paula Gottesman Melissa Green Gaila Gulack Alex Hess Jesser Horowitz Marietta Joseph Laurie Josephs
Joanne Kay Emily Korzenik Alice Lanckton Judith Leader Robert Leikind Shari Leventhal Melinda Maidens Sarah Mamlet Carol Marcus Martin Mendelsohn Jordana Merran Ellen Milberg Jake Miller Ellen Moskowitz Jonathan Nadler Bruce Raben Simon Rabinowitz James Raker Karen Rappaport Teme Ring Mark Rosenberg Vera Schwarcz Zach Sherman Jason Storch Megan Tallmer
Friends Miryam Alburquerque
Michael Auerbach
Avraham Brothman
Lenore Broughton Solomon Chouicha Steve Cohen Gregg Feingold Norman Feingold Allen Fink Leah Fouhal Tzvi Gourarie Menachem Griff Jeffrey Kaufman Mark Manin Phillip & Nancy Namanworth Daniel Nyer George Rohr Claude Sherman Nancy Temkin Eitan Webb Jeremy Zucker
Annual Report for ‘17-’18 Scholastic Year (07/17-06/18)
Chabadonfulton.org | rabbi@chabadonfulton.org | 845-214-6734 | 94 Fulton Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Chabad on Fulton is the assumed name of Chabad on Campus Dutchess, inc. a 501(c)3 registered with the state of New York.
We are unaffliated with Vassar College