Members of the Jewish student community at Rice University gathered Aug. 29 at the Chabad Jewish Student Center for sushi and socializing to kick off the fall 2024 semester. Hosted by Rabbi Shmuli Slonim and Nechama Slonim, the group welcomed more than 100 students for the popular annual gathering.
Rabbi Shmuli welcomed the large crowd to the event, encouraging them to indulge in the plentiful sushi and cold beverages while getting to know their fellow students.
“I’m so happy that you’re here and look forward to seeing you again soon for the next event,” Rabbi Shmuli said, encouraging new and returning Chabad members to check out the wide array of events hosted throughout the year to cater to the needs, desires and traditions of Jewish students.
One event the Slonims highlighted within Chabad at Rice is a home-cooked, four-course Shabbat dinner that takes place Friday nights and is free and open to Jewish students as well as those who wish to learn more about Jewish culture.
“You’re not hungry now, but you may be in like 20 hours,” Nechama laughed as she invited students to the first Shabbat dinner the following evening.
Perry Gilberd, a junior and president of Chabad at Rice, called the organization the “home away from home” for Rice’s Jewish community.
“When we get to come together, it really does feel like we have a big community of people around us,” Gilberd said. “And it’s events like these, where it’s packed wall to wall, that (students) really feel that they have a lot of people just like them around. With this event being the first one of the year, especially with so many new freshmen, it’s a chance to connect with the greater community that we have here and also make some friends, some of your first friends at Rice.”
Zach and Micah Kepe, juniors at Baker College and twin brothers from Los Angeles, said they appreciate the “tight knit community” of Chabad.
“It’s nice coming here, because we have a community that we can always come back to and celebrate major holidays,” Zach said.
Rebecca Attias, a Sid Richardson College freshman from Geneva, said she sought out Chabad to meet other Jewish students and find a community “that felt like home.”
“It was a really fun idea to do a sushi night,” Attias said. “Everyone here is super sweet.”
Chabad serves Rice and neighboring schools across Houston. Chabad at Rice is a grassroots supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information about the organization, visit jewishriceu.com.