Name: Albert Hazan
Major: Biology
Future Plans: Medical School
I was attracted to BU because I knew of its great Jewish community. I thought that this community would give me the ability to keep the ideals that I was brought up with. I received SO much more that that. The Jewish community at BU gave me the opportunity to interact and learn with Jews from all different backgrounds, which in turn helped me mature and develop a well rounded understanding of the global Jewish community.
Friday night dinners for me, though I often took them for granted, will probably prove to be my most memorable, helpful, meaningful, and enjoyable event of the many events I have taken advantage of at Chabad. It is the place where I was able to feel like I was at home and with family. It was a place where I could connect to Hashem on Shabbat, continue to observe the traditions I was given as a child, a place I could enjoy great food and meet great people. I could not fathom my college experience without Chabad and Friday night dinners. When I often got excited to come back to school after breaks, the Friday night tables at the Chabad House, with hundreds of people standing around them singing ""Shalom Alechem"", was always the image in my mind coupled with that excitement.
For me the Chabad House was my Jewish experience here at BU. They offer so much, be it programs or services, that there was no need for a greater Jewish experience. If I had a question about anything I always knew I could call the Chabad House. If I wanted to celebrate a holiday or another happy occasion I always knew that Chabad probably had a program for it, and that the details of that program was in my E-mail inbox. The Chabad House provided me with everything I ever needed, and so much more than that.
Though I have seen a remarkable growth in the Chabad House during my four years here, I think there is more growth to be had. That growth must come from students. BU students who enjoy the vast program set that Chabad offers need to show their friends what they are missing. All it takes is is to ask a friend to come to a Friday night dinner, or Chabad cafe, and most probably that person will get hooked to Chabad. That friend will then get their friends hooked etc. etc. "