Members of the Jewish student community at Rice University gathered recently at the Chabad Jewish Student Center for sushi and socializing to kick off the fall semester. Hosted by Rabbi Shmuli Slonim and Nechama Slonim, the group welcomed more than 100 students for the popular annual gathering.
The sushi social has become such a successful event that the organization moved the party to an outdoor tent replete with air conditioning units to accommodate the guests and keep the Houston humidity at bay.
Shmuli welcomed the large crowd to the event, encouraging participants to indulge in the plentiful sushi and cold beverages while getting to know their fellow students.
“Welcome to the best sushi social ever,” Shmuli said, encouraging new and returning Chabad at Rice members to check out the wide array of events hosted throughout the year. “This is the first time that we had to move outside for sushi social because of its popularity — it’s a good problem to have.”
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.
“Shabbat is a special time filled with good food and great company,” Nechama said as she invited students to the first Shabbat dinner of the semester the following evening. “Step away from campus to unwind and connect to the spirit of Shabbat and to each other, all around one table.”
Ellie Mandelker, a senior and president of Chabad, also spoke of the organization’s ability to bring people together.
“Chabad is my main point of contact to being Jewish at Rice, and it’s a very welcoming, nice place to be,” Mandelker said. “There are events going on every single day of the week, and everyone is welcome regardless of your level of religious commitment. I’ve met a lot of my best friends at Chabad.”
Rebecca Attias, a sophomore who moved to Houston from Geneva, called the organization a home away from home for Rice’s Jewish community.
“Chabad, for me, is a way to remember all the culture that we have back home with my family and all the Jewish traditions that we have,” Attias said. “Being able to share that with other students, especially being away from home, helps us to connect more.”
Chabad at Rice is a grassroots supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the university and neighboring schools across Houston. For more information about the organization, visit jewishriceu.com.