Wei-Yin Ko | Student Life

Students prepare for Rosh Hashana services at the Chabad House Wednesday night. Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year.

In addition to its traditional meals and Rosh Hashana evening service, Chabad is adding morning services on the Thursday and Friday after the holiday.

Rabbi Hershey Novack said that the change was made in response to continued student requests, and was made possible due to renovations on the Chabad House, which were finished earlier this year.

“Students have asked for a number of years, but owing to a lack of facilities, we were unable to [provide additional services],” Novack said. “And so finally, this year, after we dedicated the facility—at the opened and renovated and expanded facility, we’re finally able to…do it.

“I have a feeling that some students will come for the entire thing, and others will probably drop in and then cut out to go to classes. One of the benefits of our facility is that it’s really, really close to campus.”

In the past, many students would go to morning Rosh Hashana services at a local synagogue, Bais Abraham, before coming back to Chabad for lunch.

Some noted that with the new schedule, attending services will be significantly easier than in the past.

“To take away a 10 minute walk, I’m sure it will make people more inclined to go,” freshman Jon Pascheles said. “[For] Rosh Hashana, it’ll probably be around 50 to 90 [people] at Chabad itself—I’m sure a lot of people will go.”

Others added that beyond adding extra services, Chabad did a good job of clarifying its schedule to alleviate the confusion students felt in previous years.

Sophomore Ari Rosenstrauch noted that in the past, many students would jump between Hillel, Chabad and a local synagogue for services and meals, and would have difficulty juggling the three without missing classes.

“Logistically speaking, it’s much more convenient—it’s much cleaner than what used to happen,” Rosenstrauch said. “I’m really happy they’re doing it; it gives a really better sense of community for Rosh Hashana.”

Pascheles said that he still plans to go to the local synagogue for additional services, but hopes to take advantage of Chabad’s additional services as well.

“I think there’s one day or two days that Chabad isn’t doing something…so I’ll probably end up going there for the service,” he said. “In general, I’ll probably just go to Chabad for everything that they offer—personally I just really like Chabad because it’s a lot of fun and it’s a great environment.”

Rabbi Novack mentioned that on Thursday and Friday afternoon, individuals will be sounding shofars from different locations around campus, for students to catch the most important mitzvah of the holiday even if they can’t make services.

A full schedule of Chabad’s High Holiday events can be found at http://www.chabadoncampus.org/.

I write to correct the portrait of Washington University’s new campus Rabbi, Andy Kastner that was painted in Norman Pressman’s unfortunate invective (Letter, September 8, 2010). As chair of Hillel’s Rabbinic Search committee, I can say that Rabbi Kastner is committed to Hillel’s core principle of supporting all forms of Judaism, from secular to Orthodox.

Rabbi Kastner comes to Hillel in keeping with its long tradition of pluralism dating back to Rabbi Robert Jacobs’ service to our campus 40 years ago. The committee that recommended that HIllel hire him reflected this pluralism; it included a local Reform Rabbi and two students (one Conservative, the other Reform), as well as members of the Orthodox and Conservative communities. It was comprised of at least one Jewish atheist, and advised by a dozen students from a similarly diverse array of backgrounds. The search committee was unanimous in its recommendation that Hillel hire Andy Kastner, and excited about the prospects of his service to all Jews in our community.

Raised as a Reform Jew, Rabbi Kastner received his training at a seminary whose director ordained the first Orthodox woman, an action that has caused significant controversy within the Orthodox community. Our committee saw in Andy someone with the experience and commitment to pursue Hillel’s pluralist mission: to meet the needs of all of our Jewish students–from the non-observant secular Jew, to the Orthodox student striving to follow Jewish law. Andy’s manner and comportment is one that respects all approaches in the engagement of our tradition.

To be clear, Rabbi Kastner’s statement that he will be “Teaching Torah” (the cause of Pressman’s worries that he was a fanatic) is understood throughout the Jewish community to mean teaching and engaging the breadth of Jewish learning in all of its diversity. St. Louis Hillel welcomes that commitment as its own. One look at some of Rabbi Kastner’s class titles should give readers a better sense of Andy’s scope and interests: “Running with the Rabbi” (a 3-5 mile weekly run and conversation); “Whatever You Do Take Care of Your Shoes: Everything I needed to Know in Life I learned on Phish Tour”; and “Tikkun Olam: Is it Really Possible to Repair the World?”. Each of these classes is dedicated to exploring Jewish topics that are relevant to students and engaged broadly with our world. I would encourage readers to go to www.stlouishillel.org to contact Rabbi Kastner themselves, and to learn more about the diversity of programs that Hillel offers.

St. Louis Hillel remains committed to its core mission, characterized by Rabbi Jacobs’s long service, and currently pursued by Rabbi Kastner, Executive Director Jackie Levey, and its dedicated staff: to enrich the lives of our Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Taken as narrowly or broadly as you like, it remains the core of Hillel’s commitment to our students. This is why Hillel is deserving of support from all members of our community, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.

Andrew Rehfeld

Associate Professor, Political Science

The campus groups co-hosting the reggae, rock and hip hop-fusion American Hasidic Jewish artist Matisyahu also reserved May Auditorium in the Olin Business School as an overflow seating area. This, along with the appropriately all-capped Facebook event name, underscores one thing—Matisyahu’s performance will be no small deal for Washington University.

But what most students do not know is that this will be the 30-year-old Grammy nominee’s third show on campus.

University alum stumbles upon musical gold

The story begins in 2003, when University alum Adam Weinberg, then between his undergraduate and graduate school years, saw his friend’s band perform at a Jewish community center in New York City. Opening for the band was a young man called Matthew Paul Miller, a little-known local artist who went by his Hebrew name of Matisyahu.

“I saw him perform and it was pretty raw,” Weinberg said. “I saw him performing for 20 minutes. He kind of blew me away.”

Back in St. Louis, Weinberg, with his connection to Matisyahu’s manager at the time and the support from various campus groups such as KWUR, helped orchestrate Matisyahu’s performance in the Gargoyle.

“It was totally mind-boggling. We hosted a show and we had nothing to really go on—no one really knew him,” said Weinberg, chuckling as he recalled the first concert. “We had painted the whole Underpass ‘reggae night’ or something. We also blasted his music all day in Mallinckrodt and people were really into it. They didn’t know what to expect.”

To top it off, Weinberg, a jazz performance minor, ended up playing backup in the show when the rest of the band could not make it because of flight delays.

“It was interesting, because I didn’t really know the music,” he said. “His drummer kind of called the shots. Fortunately, it was December and Shabbat ended earlier, so we had some time to listen to the record.”

Though it would take months before Matisyahu released his first album and a year before he hit number one on the charts, Weinberg already knew: “There was no doubt in my mind he was going to be huge.”

In March 2004, Weinberg invited Matisyahu back to the Gargoyle for a second show.

Third time running

Since 2003, the two have developed a bond of both friendship and musical collaboration.

Weinberg now works for Gelb Promotions Inc., an agency that produces for and promotes big-name artists like Andrea Bocelli and Itzhak Perlman. In addition to promoting many of Matisyahu’s non-tour-related events, he also continues to accompany him in some performances—including Thursday’s program.

The main event, which begins at 4 p.m., will feature Matisyahu’s acoustic performance and a discussion of his musical style, his latest album “Light” and his development as an artist, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The arrangement is meant to generate a more interactive and “coffee-house” atmosphere, according to senior Sam Guzik, the president of the Jewish Student Union (JSU).

“[The setting] is less academic and more of a chance for students and community members to really interact with him,” Guzik said. “It’ll probably be pretty free-flowing; we’re going to be taking cues from him.”

Prior to the main event, students will have an opportunity to meet and talk with Matisyahu in an informal open reception in the Danforth University Center Courtyard from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.

As a bigger picture, Guzik believes Matisyahu’s program will present a distinctive experience and perspective in the University’s Assembly Series.

“This is really an opportunity to bring in someone really recognized around campus, but even more so, to do with the Assembly Series something really creative, something that hasn’t been done in the past,” he said.

There is little doubt in the community that Matisyahu fits the bill for originality.

“The notion of religious people playing music is certainly nothing new,” said Hershey Novack, rabbi for Chabad on Campus. “But he is an example of someone who lives in two separate worlds: He is both a practicing Hasid and he is also a very legitimate musical performer. That’s unique.”

Novack also played a part in Matisyahu’s 2003 and 2004 campus performances.

“He was a talented person back then—no doubt,” Novack said. “He certainly matured as a performing artist over the past five or six years, but he was very, very talented. I think his music is incredibly potent and has a very positive effect on many, many people.”

“That is something that can never be taken away from him,” he added.

The Jewish Student Union, Assembly Series, St. Louis Hillel at Washington University, Student Union, Congress of the South 40, Chabad Student Association and Congregation B’nai Amoonah, a local synagogue, are jointly sponsoring the program.

Doors to the main event will open at 3:30 p.m.

Editor’s note: Sam Guzik is the director of new media for Student Life.

Landy was hired for the position last fall. He is the fourth person to fill the position in the last five years.

The board accepted Landy’s letter of resignation on Monday evening, according to an e-mail from senior Sam Guzik, Jewish Student Union (JSU) president and student representative on Hillel’s board of directors.

The e-mail, which was sent to student leaders in the Jewish community, stated that a replacement has already been selected and will assume the position beginning mid-October.

Board members declined to comment on Landy’s resignation and the leadership change.

Hershey Novack, campus rabbi and director of Chabad on Campus, said that he had positive experiences while working with Landy.

“Michael worked hard on developing partnerships with the campus community,” Novack said. “This has been a very challenging year for all nonprofit groups, and I think he worked very hard on focusing Hillel on being the best that it can be.”

Novack, however, also said he remains open for the change.

“We’re beginning a new Jewish year, and this is a time for new beginnings, apparently,” Novack said. “I welcome the new executive director with open arms and look forward to a positive collaborative partnership with the new Hillel director for years to come.”

Members of the University community will have opportunities in the coming weeks to meet the new executive director once a schedule with that person is developed.

Sophomore Paula Sass, who worked closely with Landy as the vice president of religious programming for JSU, said she was surprised to hear about his resignation, but emphasized her excitement for working with a new executive director at Hillel.

“It was overall a positive experience by and large, but we’re looking forward to new leadership,” she said.

Sass said she believes other students involved with Hillel feel similarly about the turnover.

“People are excited to meet whoever will take the position and excited about the chance to work with someone new,” Sass said.

Hillel puts on or supports several programs aimed at the Jewish community on campus, including trips to Israel and services.

Guzik also serves as the director of new media for Student Life and was editor in chief in the 2008-2009 academic year.

Washington University is a great place to be Jewish. Last summer, Jewish Living identified the campus area as the “epicenter” of one of the top 10 Jewish communities in America, describing Wash. U. as “an elite school popular with Jews from around the country, known for its kosher kitchen and strong Hillel and Chabad programs with plenty of activities.”

While you experience the breadth of college life, remember that the soul and spirit need to be developed as well as the mind. Do things that add meaning to your life. Our university, while embracing the diversity of religious life on campus, identifies itself as non-religious.

To have an active religious life during your time here, you must make the choice to get involved. Great programs and, more importantly, great people are available to you to help enrich your college experience with the vibrancy and diversity of campus spiritual life.

I know that many students who arrive at Wash. U. after years of religious school are disinterested with religious life. For many in the Jewish community, connecting with Jewish life may not be a priority in your college plan. I would like to challenge you to prove yourself wrong. Discover that becoming more engaged with your faith and sense of community can be an exciting and enriching experience.

At Chabad on Campus, we strive to create programming that high accessible and meaningful for students of all backgrounds and levels of religious observance. Highlights of our programs include organizing Israel trips for many hundreds of Wash. U. students through Mayanot’s Birthright Israel program.

We host family-style Shabbat dinners each week, which attract a diverse array of students and faculty. And, we focus on Jewish learning and teaching Torah, a rich compendium of wisdom for life. Our affiliated student groups offer substantive exciting programs and leadership opportunities.

While the Chabad movement is rooted in the fertile soil of Jewish tradition, a cursory visit will demonstrate that the students who choose to participate are from a diverse spectrum of backgrounds and affiliations and have widely varying world views.

Dozens of other groups offer services for their respective communities within a framework of mutual respect. I have helped Muslim students at Washington University advocate for Halal-approved foods to be made available in the food stores. Differences in religion demonstrate the potential to bring people together. Allowing your spiritual life to develop during these next four years will help not only you, but those around you.