Shabbat ‘for 120’ draws 140

Promoted as “Shabbat for 120,” the traditional Shabbat dinner drew 140 students and faculty to a tent at Chabad of Rowan University on April 1. The event, which was sponsored by Chabad and AEPhi sorority, was the largest Shabbat dinner ever at the Glassboro campus. 

Typically, Chabad at Rowan — codirected by Rabbi Hersh and Fraidy Loschak — sees 20-30 students at its weekly Shabbat dinner.

Rowan University Hillel joined in the event, which was attended by students, faculty, administration, and alumni. Among those who addressed the gathering were Steve Weinstein, the university’s vice president for governmental relations, and Prof. Mike Weiss, faculty adviser at Rowan Chabad. 

Weiss said the gathering “made history” and celebrated the advancements of Jewish life on campus: “I’d never before been to a Shabbat dinner for that many people,” he said, “and never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that this could happen at Rowan, of all places.”

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“Shabbat for 120 was just a truly remarkable evening of Jewish pride, tradition, and unity,” said Rabbi Loschak. I can’t thank all the volunteers and sisters at AEPhi enough. Next year, bigger and better!”