New Chabad at UNR serves community and food.
Over a century ago, in a town called Lubavitch in Imperial Russia, the Chabad House was born to bring people of Jewish faith together in a safe space. It would be a place where Judaism could be taught and explored deeply, and believers could form a community based on camaraderie when faced with global persecution for their beliefs.
When Rabbi Dani and Rochel Libersohn launched a Chabad at the University of Nevada, Reno in December 2021, they were hopeful for word to spread and for Hasidic Jewish students to join them for gatherings while they were away from their families at school.
Mere months after they began weekly meals and social gatherings, such as Torah Tuesday and the First Friday Shabbat dinner for UNR students in their home (seven minutes from campus), they outgrew their space. Soon so many students were attending, the Libersohns began looking at larger properties to continue their Chabad’s growth.
This summer, they began the process of purchasing a large gathering space in the University Terrace neighborhood in Reno.
Breaking Bread Together
What’s Chabad about?
“Chabad at UNR is a home away from home for Jewish students at the University of Nevada, Reno. Students come together at Chabad to learn and grow over delicious food, great conversation, and in a fun environment,” Rochel says. “It’s important for students to have a place, a home really, to come by any time day or night. And that’s no exaggeration. We have students around at all times, stopping in for a coffee, a quick lunch, or piece of advice, to get that warm, loving environment that is hard to get during college when you’re not close to your family. That’s what really drew people in, that warm Jewish home experience.”
The UNR center is an extension of the Chabad of Northern Nevada in Reno, which has been run by Rochel’s parents, Rabbi Mendel and Sarah Cunin, for more than two decades. Rabbi Dani was introduced to Rochel while working at the Princeton Chabad in New York. Soon after, they were married and moved to Reno to pursue their calling of starting a Chabad of their own where they saw a need: the university.
The Libersohns explain that it’s a dream come true. Ever since they launched the Chabad last winter, the duo has seen tremendous growth in the interest and engagement of students at the college. (Chabad at UNR is open to all students — Jewish or not — interested in learning about Judaism, enjoying delicious food, or experiencing a family-like environment while away from their own.)
The new property can only come to fruition through the generosity of donors. The Libersohns’ annual Chabad program budget is $150,000, but they ultimately seek $770,000 — 770 being a sacred number for their faith — in donations to continue to grow and provide students with this community they’re so passionate about fostering.
September and October are perfect months to get involved with Chabad, as some of the holiest holidays occur then. Rosh Hashanah is Sept. 26 – 27, Yom Kippur is Oct. 5, Sukkot is Oct. 10 – 11, and Simchat Torah is Oct. 18 this year.
For details on Chabad at UNR, visit Chabadunr.com.
