Chabad at Tufts Conference Call
Thursday, August 3rd 10pm EST

Attendees: Andrew Caplan, Ashley Kantor, Ben Moskowitz, Drew Lovy, Jesse Cooper, Mike Snyder, Nick Babich, Rabbi Tzvi, Chanie Backman

Other Invitees:Aliza Sandberg, Daniel Bounaiuto, Erica Lee, Glen Argov, Josh Yellin, Mara Gittleman, Michelle Kosterich, Nicki Perkins, Sarah Hellerstein

Name:   I can be best reached at this number:

Before we get into the details of the conference, with the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel always on our mind, please take a second and do soemthing for them  - specifically related to college students. Click here - www.unitytorah.com

1. Chanie - First of all, thank you to everyone who was able to join the call and for all of you who are taking the time now to read the "recap" of the call and fill out the feedback slots on this form. Together we’re going to accomplish great things for Jewish life at Tufts.
   
   
2. At a meeting in May of last year, students suggested that the best way to fulfill the potential of Chabad at Tufts is to make it a lot more student run with alot more student involvement.   You, as students ,know best what appeals what appeals to fellow students. Therefore, in the planning of next year’s programs there were many questions about various programs that we felt in order to make the proper decisions we need to hear from you!
   
   
3. Rabbi Tzvi – Chabad has added a unique dimension to Tufts Jewish life - Judaism in a family setting. An experience that is warm , inviting, relaxing and meaningful. Within this framework, many quality programs are designed to serve the student community. All of this has increased interest in Jewish life amongst the students. You guys are the ones on the frontline – we need to make this group known as a really cool place to have a great, meaningful Jewish experience and lots of fun.
   
   
4. Chabad at Tufts President Drew Lovy - Be vocal and share your opinions. Chabad is relatively new to the Tufts scene, became an RSO last year. There is so much potential to make this a great organization. If there is a program in particular that interests you, take initiative and get involved in coordinating it. Ex: as a pre-med student, Drew is bringing Genzyme to lecture about Genetic Diseases.  contact Drew: andrew.lovy@tufts.edu
   What can we do to get students more involved? How do we make it a more student run organization?
   (please share!)
   
   
   Ideas Presented: Have a Shabbat Host on Friday Night - Every week one or more student would "host" the Shabbat dinner. This would involve
   * Inviting a number of friends to join you at your chabad House
   * Arriving a few minutes early to greet students at the door
   * Introducing/Explaining various stages of services/dinner(i.e."everyone is invited into the    kitchen to wash" etc)
   * When we go around the table making intro, the host would thank everyone for coming, perhaps mention upcoming Chabad events etc
   This way we can make it feel "student run" and therefore "student comfortable" at the same time maintain the unique family feel for which it is famous.
   
    I'm interested in this "shabbat host" thing and would like to talk to you more about this.
   
   
5.  Friday night – lets get the word out! So often, people come in their junior or senior year and say "I wish I knew about this jem earlier!" Do them the favor and show them now!
   
   
6. Challenge: What can we do to help people realize that Chabad and Hillel are two groups working together toward the same goal?
   
    (please share!)
   
   Rabbi Tzvi and Rabbi Summit share this sentiment very strongly and are looking for ways to help translate that feeling to the student body. We are one community and participation at both groups' events is ideal
   
   
7. Tour of Jewish Boston – Date: Sunday, September 3rd (first day that veryone is back in town) Time: Leave at about 2 or 2:30pm  - arrive back at Chabad at around 5pm for BBQ
   What: oppurtunity for students (especially freshman) to meet Chabad while touring Jewish Boston, sampling restaurants on Harvard St, visiting Jewish bookstores etc
    I'm interested in helping to plan for this tour
    I hope to join and bring friends - key to success!
    You can use my car if need be
    I can help set up for the 5pm BBQ
    i can't make it to the tour, but I hope to attend the BBQ and bring lots of friends!
   
   
8. Any ideas for another purely social event to help attract people throughout the semester?
    (please share!)
   
   Idea presented: Host events in the common rooms of freshman dorms- i.e. Jewish cooking night. Any thoughts for a good event to do in a freshman dorm?
    (please share!)
   
   
9.  High Holidays
    I'd be interested in more traditional, and at the same time beginner friendly and student friendly services (meaningful and inspiring without being to lengthy!)
   
   How can we best promote the unique "feeling of home" at the Chabad Hoilday meals which is so needed when spending the holiday away from your family?
    (please share)
   
   
10. Grand Simchat Torah Celebration Simchat Torah (rejoicing of the Torah) is the day on which we conclude, and begin anew, the annual Torah reading cycle.  The event is marked with great rejoicing and festivity.This year it falls on Saturday Night, October 14^th. 
    
    

    Last year,Chabad brought the first Simchas Torah celebration to campus. It has potential to be a great party, as we all know simchas torah could be (great dancing, great food and great fun) Any thoughts? Any suggestions as to how it can be promoted?
    
     I'm interested in discussing this further
     I would come and bring friends

11. General interest meeting  - Who is this Chabad and what are they all about? What: A falafel night for people to come see what it's all about. When: The first Sunday after classes start, September 10th at 7pm in the Campus Center.
    How can we promote?
     
    I plan to come and bring your friends  - recipe for success!
    
    
12. Midnight breakfast in finals – a time to relax in the middle of finals with ALOT of REALLY GOOD FOOD. 12am - 2am some night!
     That's something I would be interested in coming to and bringing friends
    What night of finals/reading period would be best?
    
    
13.  I'm interested in disscussing the possibility of a kosher meal plan for once a week. I understand that considering we are not dealing with institution size crowds it would require some level of commitment (i.e. - actually showing up when it's available)
    
    
14. Program guide - attached to the email.
    Here is my feedback:
    
    ideas: how can we promote the social action/tikkun olam projects that we are already doing (blankets for babies) and work to create more?
    
    
    We are looking into a social action project that can really "take this campus by storm"
     I'm intersted in finding out more about this and perhaps being involved
    
15. Idea: program guide looks so great  - how can we get it out there? mass mailing to everyone on campus.
    
    
16. Any thing else you'd liketo share? Please share here.
    
    Interested in joining the Chabad at Tufts board?
    Drew (pres), Nick (VP), Nicki (treasurer), Rabbi Tzvi or Chanie will get in touch with you
    
    
17. Bottom line: At the end of the day what draws people – “my friend is going so I’m going too!” More powerful than any flyer or ad - come and bring your friends - they'll thank you for it!!
    

Thank you for your time! Enjoy the rest of your summer and we'll see you in a few weeks, be'ezrat Hashem!

Shabbat at Chabad
Perhaps what we are most famous for, friday night at Chabad has earned a reputation for being warm, personal and having a genuine shabbat flavor. Keeping that in mind, we're always looking for ways to keep it exciting, bring in new faces and make it accesible as possible to all students.

Special Shabbats
Some of the hits last year were Israeli, Thai, Sushi, Italian and Chinese.
Other than Sushi (which will be the 1st shabbat of each semester) which, if any, do you think should be repeated in each semester? 
 
Are there other food based themes you'd like to see?
Do you have any ideas of another type of themed shabbat, perhaps involving a guest professor etc?

Do you have any other suggestions for Friday Night at Chabad? No suggestions are too big or too small - speak your mind!