The major theme of Chabad at University of Wisconsin-Madison this year was “getting out there.” It almost seemed that wherever you looked, Chabad and Rabbi Mendel and Henya were there to greet Jewish students with hugs, laughs, and definitely food. The campus of UW-Madison was bursting with Chabad events over the past academic year.

What I most exciting, was the way Chabad celebrated the Jewish holidays - in a most unique and memorable way. During Sukkot there was “Sushi in the Sukkah” on Library Mall, which transformed the heart of campus life into a Sukkot party where Jewish students had a place to celebrate in style. As the semester progressed, and school really got tense with exams looming, students were found streaming into Chabad for a “Hannukah Midnight Breakfast” where they took a much-needed break from all the last-minute cramming, as well as participate in a menorah lighting ceremony complete with dreidels, gelt, and of course, jelly donuts. While there, a student’s biggest worry was deciding which milk shake to choose, chocolate or vanilla?

Chabad’s year on campus truly transformed college life for all Jewish students on campus in a great way. For Purim, Chabad, along with a nationally Jewish fraternity and sorority houses, co-sponsored a costume party at a local campus hot-spot. To put it simply, Chabad rocked the house. I doubt the University of Wisconsin, or even the city of Madison has ever experienced a Purim party like that one. Over 300 students showed up in style ready to party the night away and contribute to Chabad’s slogan of “Party with Purpose!” It was a truly memorable night to see so many Jewish Students listening intently to the reading of the entire Megillah, and then proceed to the nearest bar where their Purim festivities quickly resumed.

This should hardly be surprising if you know Chabad’s sincere respect for every Jew, and the amazing directors behind all of the success. With a unique style of fun and excitement for Judaism found nowhere else on campus, students from all affiliations are building Chabad into a place where they can experience traditional Judaism like no where else, a place where Jewish pride beams like the bright red on a Badger Football uniform. Chabad is quickly becoming the place-to-be.

As the semester winded down, Lag B’Omer was celebrated Greek style, with a BBQ on the lawn of AEPi a Jewish Fraternity on Langdon Street, home to the universities Greek life. For an afternoon, nearly a hundred Jewish students were thrilled to celebrate the holiday, not to mention partake in the delicious kosher burgers and hot dogs.

For students coming to Chabad for the first time, many are surprised to find the Shabbos table filled to capacity. Within two years on campus, Chabad has become a place for students to escape the fast-paced and stressful life of academics. Inside, students find a channel to contribute and share Judaism, and everyone leaves with a stronger sense of Jewish pride. I look with excitement towards the future, where Chabad’s slogan will surely ring true for all Jewish students on campus as we all “Party with Purpose!”