Name: Nicky Kolios
Major: Psychology, Judaic Studies
Future Plans: Aliyah, IDF, 2nd Deegree, Marry
God willing I am making aliyah this summer and, starting in August, will spend three months on a kibbutz with a group of immigrants my age. We will study Hebrew, work, and travel the country. In November we start a minimum of two years military service in the IDF. After that I will either begin work and or return to school for a second degree. At some point between aliyah and working/finishing a second degree I should probably get married. Ethiopian maybe, or a nice sabra, or maybe I'll keep it real classic with an Ashhkenazi girl.
1)My time at Binghamton University allowed me to negotiate my Jewish identity in an environment where I came to realize that meaningful commitment need be a force pushing one from inside in order to be lasting. My time here has reinforced the realization of the importance of community with which to share identity.
2)Very important throughout my time here has been the morning minyan at Chabad at which I could start my day focused on what is important and where I am going - even if those thoughts inevitably drifted elsewhere during the day they returned the next day in yet another episode of Chabad shacharit services. Without a doubt the most important events for me were the weekly shabbat dinners. They provided me with familiar tunes to hum and sing when I found myself celebrating shabbat alone in another country. Shabbat at Chabad became as familiar and appreciated as the Chabad staff’s ever-present inquiries into my well being. I will miss nothing at Chabad or at Binghamton more than shabbat, the smell of challah and several hundred friends.
3)The Chabad house was, as advertised, my home away from home. My connection with Chabad only increased with each year. The friends, the Torah learning, the sneaking downstairs for cookies during shul, the adopted siblings I felt I had , the smell of challah, the smiling shluchim, and always an invitation to something or other. No people or experience has ever so positively influenced my Jewish identity as has the Chabad at Binghamton and its caring staff.
4)I can't really think of anything that Chabad could provide that it isn’t already in place. I’m satisfied.