Vision & Impact

Throughout the ages, the Jews have filled their minds with the knowledge of the world and their souls with an awareness of the Divine. The intellect's role in the spiritual life of a Jew is an integral focus of Chabad's philosophy. At Dartmouth, Chabad strives to provide a level of religious education comparable to the College's tradition of quality learning. Students can take advantage of the chance to learn more about Judaism, its holidays and day-to-day observances. There are also ample opportunities for in-depth study of Jewish sources, including classical texts, like the Torah and the Talmud, and Jewish mystical traditions like the Kabbalah and Chassidus. Study may be in groups or in individual sessions with the Rabbi.

Chabad is best known on campus for our Friday night Shabbat dinners, which are our cardinal and most well-recognized events. The dinners provide an intimate family atmosphere and thereby strengthen the students’ bonds to their Jewish identity and to each other. While Chabad has moved from a small apartment to a larger house, nowhere is the fact that our organizational growth has kept up with the physical expansion more evident than at the Shabbat dinners. We are proud to claim that the dinners have become one of the best attended regular events on campus.

Holiday observances are a major portion of our agenda. Our goal is to recreate a feeling of family intimacy that is characteristic of student's pre-collegiate holiday experiences and which is sorely missed while away from home. At the same time, we hope to engender a perception of the familial bond among the Jewish people as well as between us and G-d. Cemented during students' college years, we feel this bond will remain as they continue to observe the holidays and celebrate Jewish identity throughout their adult lives, imparting it to the next generation of Jewish children.

Chabad of Dartmouth strives to be a significant thread in the social fabric of the College. All students are welcomed at events such as political talks, informal discussion dinners on hot topics in contemporary Judaism or pure social entertainment like Lag Ba'Omer bonfire barbeques, ski outings and a Purim party at a frat. All of our activities and services are free of charge.