For years, Jewish families at Binghamton have faced the same frustration. The university’s Parents Weekend often falls during the September-October Jewish holidays, making it difficult for observant families to attend.
This year, Rav Jared and Sarit Anstandig, JLIC Binghamton’s directors, decided to create an alternative. They planned a full Family Shabbaton for October 31-November 1, giving Jewish families their own chance to experience campus life with their children.
The response was immediate and overwhelming.
Making It Work
So many families registered that Rav Jared and Sarit had to put up a tent in their backyard to accommodate everyone. That’s where the Friday night Shabbat dinner took place, with families sitting together, home-cooked food, and the entire JLIC community gathered in one space.
What made the weekend possible was the students themselves. They prepared the food (potato kugel, cholent, brownies, and desserts), organized the house, and ran the minyanim. The Shabbaton wasn’t something that happened for them. It was something they built together.
What Parents Experienced
The weekend included a full schedule of programming. Friday began with hotel check-in at the Residence Inn, followed by a pre-Shabbat meet and greet. Before Mincha, Rav Jared led a pre-Shabbat jam session with guitars, where parents joined students to sing Shabbat songs together. The afternoon continued with Mincha, Kabbalat Shabbat, and dinner. Friday evening featured a panel where students shared their experiences with JLIC.
Saturday morning, Rav Jared led a pre-Shacharit chabura exploring “Facing the Truth Within” through the lens of the Piaseczno Rebbe’s Chovat HaTalmidim. After Kiddush, he taught about the contemporary application of hilchot avoda zara. Sarit led families in a shiur on the concept of Maaseh Avot Siman Le’Banim. The day concluded with a communal Seudah Shlishit and Musical Havdallah. Sunday morning wrapped up with Shacharit and breakfast before families headed home.
But the schedule only tells part of the story.
The Mission Behind the Weekend
During her dvar Torah, Sarit spoke about what JLIC is all about: not letting university be the place where Jewish education and religious growth ends. Most JLIC students have spent years studying in day schools, attending Jewish summer camps, or learning in gap year programs. JLIC exists to continue that growth on campus.
For parents, this wasn’t just an explanation. It was confirmation of what they were seeing all weekend.
The Real Impact
Parents didn’t just visit campus. They stepped into their children’s Jewish lives at Binghamton. They davened with them, learned with them, met their friends, and saw firsthand the community their kids had described over the phone.
One parent wrote: “It was truly inspiring to see all of the incredible work you do. You really went out of your way to make our Shabbos so special. You are making such a difference.”
Another shared: “We really enjoyed seeing our son in his Binghamton world – interacting with friends, davening, singing, and learning together. Thank you for the incredible efforts it took to make this wonderful Shabbat happen and for making a unique space for him to have meaning and connection in college.”
Multiple parents mentioned how clearly comfortable their children were at JLIC. One noted their daughter “clearly adores your children.” Another expressed gratitude seeing how “y’all have hit it off with our daughter and her chevra. We are very grateful for that.”
As one parent put it simply: “I am truly blown away by the community you have created. Shabbat was beautiful.”
Looking Forward
The feedback was consistent. Parents called the weekend “well run in every respect,” appreciated the attention to detail (welcome bags, organized meals, thoughtful programming), and many are already asking about next year.
As one parent put it: “Thank you for opening your home to us and we’re ready to sign up for next year!”
JLIC Binghamton’s first Family Shabbaton solved a practical problem: Jewish families finally had a Parents Weekend they could attend. But it became something more significant. It gave parents a window into the Jewish home away from home their children have found on campus.
For a community that’s been building this space for years, having families see it firsthand made all the difference.
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about and to support JLIC and our programming.
Related Posts
Torah Learning is Buzzing at Binghamton
JLIC Binghamton Kicks Off “Major Meals” Event Series
Welcoming the Anstandigs: Binghamton University’s New JLIC Couple