I’m not the first person to admit that I had a hard time finding a sense of belonging my freshman year. I remember filling out application after application, walking into career showcase with wide scared eyes, glancing at the flyers shoved at me in Turlington, changing my major at least twice, and attending random club meetings that my friends dragged me to. Some days UF’s 38000 undergraduate students felt like just that—38000 students—with me as one tiny dot in lecture halls of 250+.

And I would have continued to be that dot, that lost student still trying to find myself, if not for University of Florida Chabad.

My first week in Gainesville I received a call from Rabbi Aaron inviting me to attend Shabbat services and meals at Chabad. Shabbat, also known as the Jewish day of rest, takes place every Friday night to Saturday night and Chabad offers free meals and services during that time for Jewish students and the Gainesville community. I figured I would have time to stop by at some point—I didn’t really know anyone yet—and free food is always a plus. So sure enough, I made my way over to Chabad that Saturday morning.

Because of that initial positive experience at Chabad—people introducing themselves to me, people inviting me over, people offering to help me with my classes—I became a regular. I made some of my best friends at Chabad, stayed at their homes, went out to dinner with their parents, joined the Chabad board as part of the Women’s Programming Committee, and was even a bridesmaid in one of my Chabad friends’ weddings. Attending Chabad—not just on Friday nights and high holidays where up to 600 people might come for dinner—but during the week as well became part of my routine.

When Hurricane Irma’s radar forecasted a treacherous hit to Gainesville, Chabad did not hesitate to open its doors. Students and families from not just Gainesville, but from places like Tampa and Miami drove up to Chabad for delicious Shabbat meals and a safe, welcoming place to stay during the storm.

Friday night (Shabbat) dinner at Chabad

“It feels like home and all of my friends are here,” Andrea Murciano, Chabad secretary, said. “My apartment complex didn’t let us board up our windows, so I felt much safer at Chabad.”

Mazal Portnow, a recent graduate who came with her new husband to have post-wedding celebrations with their friends, said, “It’s kind of insane (that we came during a hurricane), but we wanted to celebrate with everyone. Rain wasn’t going to stop us from visiting our second home.”

And although the transformer across the street exploded in the middle of the night, causing everyone behind Midtown including the around 50 people sleeping at Chabad to lose power, Chabad’s guests were happy they spent the hurricane there.

“It looked like an alien coming to abduct us,” Maia Groman, Chabad Vice President of Communications, said, referring to the transformer exploding. “It was amazing.”

As high holidays approach, I encourage all Jewish students, regardless of affiliation or level of observance to attend services. Hurricane or not, Chabad has provided a home to many students, offering a haven for not just prayer and good food, but a place to meet some of your best friends, and potentially your future husbands and wives.

“Being together, that’s what makes a difference,” Andrea said.

If you would like to attend high holiday services, click here!