A Taste of the JLIC Fellows’ Experience in SUNY Albany

Shabbos Mishpatim was a back to basics Shabbos as our campus community was bolstered by a visit from a few now married alumni and some travelers from out of town. Building off the momentum of a strong Kabbalat Shabbat, the Hillel dinner with a special menu of Greek food was especially hopping with a constant buzz of excitement at old friends and new. Divrei Torah, benching, and a Tish/Oneg filled with singing and simchadik schtick in honor of Adar filled the air. Shabbos morning saw our earliest and strongest minyan to date. Lunch at Chabad was delicious as always with a surprised (both for him and for us) guest Israeli soldier providing us with stories of his service on top of the usual divrei torah. Mincha followed the meal almost immediately. The afternoon was filled with informal conversations, small group learning, and of course more food. The seudah shlishit singing went on until students remembered and reminded that there were other activities that night and Shabbos was out. For the first time in recent memory there was also a minyan for mariv. The event was capped off with a musical singing of havdalah filled with harmony. All in all it was a great Shabbos. Sunday morning students gathered and attempted a minyan with us. Unfortunately we didn’t make it, but we had a nice men’s club experience nevertheless.