Annual Report 16/17

‫ב"ה‬

WITHOUT

YOU ...

Chabad on Fulton-Jewish Student Center Annual Report ‘16-’17, ‫תשע”ז‬

Physical Lights We receive NO funding from any other source!

Your support provides a Jewish home away from home.

You and only You have created and sustain a warm and welcoming Jewish space.

Spiritual Lights King Solomon says, “The soul of man is a candle of G-d” (Proverbs 20:27). Every Jew must see to it that their candle shines brightly with a divine light and also assure that another Jewish man and woman’s candle is lit.

Every mitzvah generates not only a spiritual light, but also a physical light that can illuminate a dark world.

This is actually what YOU do!

You brighten Jewish students’ lives and ignite their souls.

Our LIghts Would Go Out!

The World Students are Facing Without You..

Did you know that there is a...?

Mental Health Crisis Studies in 2015-2016 reported:

50% of Vassar students attended counseling for mental health concerns during four years of college.1

33% of students surveyed reported feeling so

depressed within the previous 12 months that it was difficult to function.2

Rapid Decline in Jewish Identity Based on a 2013 Pew Report3

Identifying Jews

Non Identifying Jews

93%

7%

86

14

81

19

74 68

26 32

Greatest (born 1914-1927) Silent (born 1928-1945) Boomer (born 1946-1964) Gen X (born 1965-1980) Millennial (born after 1980)

That is a 25% DECREASE in identifying Jews!

Rise of Anti-Jewish Harassment On Campuses

32% of undergraduates were verbally harassed because they were Jewish.4 Citations 1.

2.

3.

4.

Vassar College Counseling Service American College Health Association “A Portrait of Jewish Americans� Pew Research Center Brandeis University Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies Antisemitism and the College Campus: Perceptions and Realities

How You Support Them!

Hear from students about how you’ve impacted their lives For most of my time at Vassar I found I always felt that no ber in particular one evening this community to be an elusive matter what I was past year,Chabad was hosting an word. It was a place I felt event that I was suppose out help facing, Rabbi and very intensely contained Dalia were always out with but at the time has been within but never felt like I there as a backbone going through some difficult percould find my place in. sonal issues. I ended up spending of support Chabad was integral for most of the evening outside of the me as a way to find that event space on the phone trying to community. And by community I mean work things out. At one point, without asking not only with reconnecting me with my Jewish any questions, Rabbi brought out a plate of food identity and with many really great individuals for me and later after the event was over they I’ve become good friends with over the years, but invited me to come by to their home for a while also as an important support for me during some just to make sure I was okay. It was amazing to very difficult times as well. From little things have that care of kindness. I always felt that no from bringing me soup when I sick or during matter what I was facing, Rabbi and Dalia were times of high stress such as finals, to always there as a backbone of support, It was amazing taking many long walks with Dalia and that alone I think makes them an to have that while she helped me work through invaluable part of my life and the Vassar care of kindness issues I was going through. I rememcommunity.

Emily B. ‘17

Rabbi Daniel and Dalia helped me maintain my emotional well-being in a stressful college environment. There was Shabbat dinners, personal conversations about life and religion at any time, care-packages during finals, and the comfort of knowing I had a home to go to at any time. I had the opportunity to watch their beautiful children - Dovid, Menachem, and Basyah - come into this world and grow from infants at the beginning of college into two genius toddler boys and an adorable baby girl at the end. Seeing the children at their house or walking around campus - and hearing them scream my Hebrew name Zachariah at the top of their lungs whenever The comfort they saw me - was of knowing I always a joyous and had a home refreshing occasion, even when academics to go to at seemed overwhelmany time ing.

Beyond providing a home for holidays and excellent food, Daniel and Dalia provided me with important guidance regarding my future after graduation, and personalSeeing the children ly helped to get me on a Birthright trip scream my Hebrew name, Zachariah, at for after graduation. the top of their lungs Now I am in Israel post-Birthright and whenever they saw have the opportunity me - was always a joyous and refreshing to study Judaism in occasion, even when Jerusalem for the rest of the summer. Not academics seemed only do Dalia and overwhelming Daniel provide a unique outlook on spirituality and life direction, but they are always willing to help students with practical daily struggles as well. In our spare time, Rabbi and I would go on runs and nature walks at the Vassar Farm and local parks, where we would discuss anything from Jewish meditation to horticulture.

I will forever be grateful for their dedication to improving Jewish life at Vassar.

Ian S. ‘17

How to Make Strong Jewish Woman Leaders?

By Dalia Sanoff

One late evening a student responded to my text in different title for me. One of my favorite parts of a way that made me feel she needed to chat… off I running a Chabad House is the many different hats went to campus and we ended up in a long conver- I can wear. sation about navigating some of the very complicat- As a young mother of three, I struggle daily with ed spaces here at Vassar, as a white Jewish woman. thoughts on parenting these future adults. As a Once she realized that I “get it”, we delved young Jewish leader, I endeep into some role playing and strategiz- Our Chabad house is counter people who find ing how to navigate tomorrow morning’s a place where themselves at many a crossclass (after a very uncomfortable encounter students can stop roads. I feel blessed to be the week before). She texted me the next the focus on “What” able to be a part of this day –feeling empowered as ever! to be, and refocus on crucial time in forming

This year in particular we saw an increase one’s self. Most of the stuthe core of “Who” in one of my favorite type of interactions- do I want to be dents will tell you my most students hanging out at our house, studyfamous motto at the Chabad ing for exams, sketching out huge self-portraits, house is “Take a gap year/gap semester- take time having tea and discussing some complicated friend off from the “race” to create a void.” Without a dynamics. “to-do” list of a clear defines external goal – us humans tend to first be perplexed, then dig deep Trying to sum up a year can be quite challenging and as have space to ask ourselves some important when thinking about the At first, she was special relationships and questions about who we are?

floored that I turbulent year it has been. In the western world, the focus of our entire sccould speak the I step back and think of my gooling on one question– WHAT do you want to “Vassar dialect” role. Am I a Rebbetzin? A be??? In Judaism, the focus of the educational friend? A mother away from home? A mentor? A teacher?

I dare to suggest that each one of the wonderful students who walk through our door might have a

system is WHO do you want to be???

So many of us wish we had stopped earlier in life to ask ourselves these questions, given ourselves time and space to experience, create a void and discover who we are. What a blessing it is to be able to facilitate that within our students.

If Judaism matters to You, what are you doing to promote Jewish life on Campus?

It’s not just about ‘Jewish stuff’ or token religious practices; it’s about helping these young people develop into emotionally healthy adults with a strong Jewish identity.

With some many forces fighting for young people’s Getting beyond the ‘Synagogue Syndrome’ is truly attention, how is it possible to attract their interrefreshening for students that never imagined est? However, with our ever ‘connected’ world, Jewish thought can guide their modern lives. young people are starting to feel more isolated Hundreds of hours are spent in intellectually than ever. As we planned this year, we took a step warming conversations over coffee or while walkback into an era of personal relationships based on ing in the farm sharing unique perspectives on real, intimate face time. life. This year we focused We have to break the myth We set out this year to on how Judaism has develthat American culture has individually connect to oped from receiving the defined Judaism as a building Torah on Mount Sinai to with students. modern application of First, we have to break the based religion. In which Jewish law and philosophy.

Jewish experiences are myth that American culture has defined Judaism as confined to the a building-based religion.

In which Jewish experiences are confined to the synagogue. Your Jewishness is evaluated solely by how often you enter that building. When it should be about your personal connection with the Divine. No wonder our young people are running away from Jewish life! As their identities become more diversified, we have must present Judaism in its true holistic form.

Synagogue

Once there is a solid relationship with a Jewish spiritual role model based on the breadth and depth of Judaism, everything else falls into place. Jewish practices are no longer done out of communal obligation, but with a profound awareness that this connects them to the Divine and their truest self.

Equaling a Jewishly active adult and future family!

By Rabbi Daniel Sanoff

What Your Funding has Achieved!

Events

Community Building, Identity Shaping and Love of Jewish Food

Weekly Shabbat Dinners, Holiday Celebrations, Social gatherings and Exploration of the International Diversity of the Jewish people

Rate of Growth

Total Attendees

Unique Attendees

1005 640

767

31%

12.5%

Increase in 12% Unique Attendance ‘14-’15

‘15-’16

208

Increase in Event Attendance

‘16-’17

184

76

‘14-’15 ‘15-’16 ‘16-’17

One on One Interactions

Guidance, Support and Warmth Coffees, Personalized Jewish Learning, Mentorship and a Loving Home Total Interactions 224

274

Unique

Rate of Growth

77 208

Increase in 32% Interactions

54 43

Increase in 12.5% unique 43% interactions ‘14-’15

‘15-’16

‘16-’17

‘14-’15 ‘15-’16 ‘16-’17

How Your Funds were Used Number of Donors

Revenue $102,340 $127,398

87

‘14-’15

$99,560 113

‘15-’16

‘16-’17

116

‘15-’16

‘16-’17

‘14-’15

Expense Allocation

17

-’ ‘16

’16

‘15

’15

‘14

Total Expenses

Total Program Services- 52% Facility- 24% Administration- 18% Development- 6%

Total Program Services

Education- 25% Holiday- 31% Shabbat- 21% Culture- 15% Social- 8%

What are the Parents Saying?

“How do you measure the value of having your child in a nurturing , accepting , safe environment?”

“Even more , can you imagine your young adult , exploring their Jewish identity and heritage , guided with sensibility and affinity?”

Rodica and Jacob Cohen, Parents ‘17 How do you measure the value of having your child in a nurturing , accepting , safe environment?

Even more, can you imagine your young adult, exploring their Jewish identity and heritage, guided with sensibility and affinity?

At Chabad on Fulton , our daughter Natalie , found her home away from home. Rabbi Daniel and Dalia, helped Natalie navigate through her convictions to realize how important Jewish life is to her.

Students come from different horizons and here they find common ground in their traditions and Jewish heritage. Being part of this community helped Natalie assert her strength and personality. It helped her living her present modern life inspired by past Jewish traditions.

Supporting Chabad on Fulton ensures that Natalie and many other students continue their Jewish life journey with a solid foundation.

Nir and Eti Friedman, Parents ‘20 Chabad on Fulton provides a warm, caring, Jewish home away from home and sense of family and community that can be sorely lacking for a college student. I have also been pleasantly surprised at Chabad’s impact on my daughter’s Jewish identity and pride, neither of which were particularly strong when she was living at home (despite celebrating the various holidays).

The are loving it, but it all depends on now.

Next year, it will cost on average, to welcome, cherish and serve each student.

Will you take our, “I’ll sponsor one or more students” pledge?

Thank You! To our ‘16-’17 supporters!

Parents Abby & Nelson Stacks Alan Rosenthal Amy Glickman Amy Hartman Barry and Karen Goldberg Bonnie Elozory Brad & Diana Rodgers Sarah & Charles Augenbraun David & Fern Panush David & Fern Weingast Susan Okrent Edward & Shari Adler Evan and Hope Haiman Hannah Bloch & Geoffrey Mamlet

Jak & Liz Ninyo Lauren Busch Leonard Goldstein Linda Candioty Linda Fishman Lisa Rosenbaum Lisa Rosenblum Louis Krilov Lynn Leinwohl Meg Quiat Melissa Pachon Michael Auerbach Michael Becker Miles & Roberta Kuttler

Moshe & Shari Ben-Benjamin

Nancy Storch Nir & Eti Friedman Jacob & Rodica Cohen Ruben & Lauren Perlmutter

Ruth Clark Ruth Harter Sam Sokolov Susan & Jon Gerson Robert & Susan Mittman Anonymous (3)

Alumnae/i Adin Becker Alice & Van Lanckton Andrew Blustein Andrew Eisen Andrew Fano Carol & Bob Marcus Dean Ben-Benjamin Elizabeth Messeca Elle Berger Ellen Milberg Ellen Moskowitz Elliot Gerson Emily Korzenik Ethan Zohn Gaila Gulack Gary Skulnik Glenn Schwartz

Heather Ciociola James Raker Jane Bergner Jeffrey Goodman Jesser Horowitz Joanne Feuerman Joanne Kay Jonathan Nadler Jordana Merran Judith Leader Julia Zuckerman Karen Rappaport Laurie Josephs Marcia Harris Mark Rosenberg Martin Mendelsohn Maya Horowitz Melinda Maidens Melissa Green Michael Brenner Nancy Temkin Paul Greenberg Paula Gottesman Rachel Pittelman Rebecca Oberman Robert Leikind Roberta Kline Robyn Waxman Samuel Goldberg Sara-Kay Lacks Scott Aronin

Sean Sacks Shari Leventhal Simon Rabinowitz Tammy Bobo Teme Ring Vera Schwarcz William Goren Ziva Dahl

Friends Allen Fink Ari Weingarten Claude Sherman Erik Blumberg Gregg Feingold Jeffrey Kaufman Jeremy Zucker Leah Fouhal Lenore Broughton Mindy Tabaczynski Madelyn Hoffman Mark & Paulie Manin Nan Rossien Nissania Hazghia Shlumis Lokiensky Steve & Mary Cohen Zalman Sandhaus Anonymous (2)

Annual Report for ‘16-’17 Scholastic Year (07/16-06/17) 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, Marist College and the Culinary Institute of America