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UMD Chabad: 5 Major Ways The Jewish Student Center Is Expanding Life At The University Of Maryland In 2025

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The University of Maryland (UMD) Chabad, officially known as the Bais Menachem Chabad Jewish Student Center, continues to be a central and dynamic hub for Jewish life on the College Park campus, with significant expansion and new programming rolling out into 2025. This vital organization serves the approximately 6,000 Jewish students at UMD, providing a "Jewish home away from home" that is focused on spiritual, educational, and social engagement. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the center is not just maintaining its long-standing traditions—like its famous Friday Night Dinners—but is actively growing its outreach footprint and staff to meet the evolving needs of the student body. The spirit of growth at UMD Chabad is palpable, driven by a commitment to ensuring every Jewish student has access to an enriching and supportive environment. The organization's strategic expansion, including the addition of new rabbinic staff and a focus on specialized programming, reflects a deep understanding of the diverse Jewish experiences across the student population, from those living in dorms to members of Greek life.

The Leadership and Expanding Rabbinic Team at UMD Chabad

The success and warmth of the Bais Menachem Chabad Jewish Student Center are inextricably linked to its dedicated leadership, who have fostered a welcoming environment on Hopkins Avenue for years. The structure of the Chabad team at UMD has recently seen a significant and exciting expansion, ensuring more students can be reached and supported across the sprawling campus.
  • Rabbi Eli Backman (Co-director): As a long-standing Co-director of UMD Chabad, Rabbi Backman is a foundational pillar of the Jewish community at College Park. He is known for his dedication to attracting new Jewish students and for opening his home, making the center a true hub for Jewish life.
  • Mrs. Nechama Backman: Serving alongside her husband, Mrs. Backman is instrumental in creating the warm, family-like atmosphere that Chabad is famous for. She is often the driving force behind the renowned Shabbat and Holiday Dinners.
  • Rabbi Yudi Namdar: Rabbi Namdar is a crucial addition to the team, joining the campus community as a new Chabad couple. His presence signifies a key expansion of the center’s outreach efforts.
  • Mrs. Yehudis Namdar: Together with her husband, Mrs. Namdar is helping to share Jewish life and learning with students, specifically living and working north of the main campus to broaden Chabad’s geographical reach.
The addition of Rabbi Yudi and Mrs. Yehudis Namdar to the personnel reflects a strategic effort to expand the powerful Jewish experiences available to students across the University of Maryland campus.

1. New Staff and Expanded Outreach (The Namdar Initiative)

The most significant recent development at UMD Chabad is the arrival of Rabbi Yudi and Mrs. Yehudis Namdar, a new Chabad couple who have joined the campus community. This move is not merely a staffing change but a strategic expansion of Chabad's physical and programmatic reach. The Namdars are specifically situated north of the main campus, allowing them to engage with a segment of the student population that may not regularly frequent the central Bais Menachem Chabad Jewish Student Center on Hopkins Avenue. This new initiative is focused on maximizing "opportunities" for Jewish students by bringing Jewish engagement closer to where they live and socialize. The Namdars’ presence is designed to foster more intimate, localized programming, complementing the large-scale events hosted by the Backmans. This model ensures that the Chabad’s mission—to provide a Jewish home away from home—is accessible to an even greater number of students, particularly those in northern College Park residences or surrounding areas.

2. The Depth of Educational and Spiritual Programming (Sinai Scholars and Beyond)

UMD Chabad is renowned for its robust and diverse educational offerings, which go far beyond social gatherings. These programs are designed to integrate the study of classic Jewish texts with community building and personal self-discovery. One of the flagship programs is the Sinai Scholars Society. This selective program targets motivated college students and offers a curriculum of Judaic study, social programming, and national networking opportunities, providing a fresh and exciting context for Jewish learning on campus. The program often includes a highly discounted retreat, making deep Jewish learning accessible to students. Beyond Sinai Scholars, the center offers regular, year-round learning opportunities that build topical authority in Jewish education:
  • Parsha Class: Weekly study of the Torah portion, offering students insight into foundational Jewish texts.
  • Tanya Class: A deeper dive into Chabad philosophy and mysticism, providing a framework for spiritual growth.
  • Chaplaincy Counseling: Offering one-on-one spiritual guidance and counseling, addressing the personal and emotional needs of students in a confidential setting.
  • Mezuzah Program: An outreach effort to help students affix a Mezuzah on their dorm or apartment door, sanctifying their personal space.
These educational pillars ensure that Jewish life at UMD is intellectually stimulating and spiritually grounded, catering to students seeking both a casual connection and in-depth study.

3. Massive Social and Community Engagement (The 'Jewish Home' Experience)

The social programming at UMD Chabad is designed to cultivate a strong sense of community, ensuring that students never feel isolated. The center’s events calendar for 2024 and 2025 showcases a continuous stream of opportunities for students to connect. The center is famous for its Friday Night Dinners, which draw large numbers of students weekly for a festive, communal Shabbat experience. In addition to these large gatherings, Chabad strategically tailors its outreach to various student groups:
  • Greek House Events: Specific programs and dinners are held within fraternity and sorority houses to engage Jewish students in Greek life.
  • Dorm Parties: Smaller, more localized events held in student residence halls, bringing Jewish celebration directly to students' living spaces.
  • Cafe Chabad: A creative, informal setting for socializing and light learning, acting as a casual meeting spot.
  • YAD (Young Adult Division): Programming specifically aimed at older or graduate students, fostering connections beyond the undergraduate level.
This multi-layered approach, from the central Bais Menachem Chabad Jewish Student Center to small dorm gatherings, solidifies the organization’s role as the Jewish home away from home for the entire UMD community.

4. High Holiday and Future Planning for 2025

UMD Chabad’s calendar is already set with key future events, demonstrating its forward-looking commitment to the Jewish student body. The organization is actively planning for the Rosh Hashanah 2025 holiday season, a major undertaking that provides a meaningful and accessible way for students to observe the Jewish New Year while away from their families. Semester recaps, such as the one for Spring 2024, highlight the sheer volume of activities, including numerous Shabbat and Holiday Dinners and smaller group learning sessions that are essential to the fabric of Jewish life on campus. The commitment to year-round programming, including significant holiday celebrations like Chanukah (with public menorah lightings), ensures that the Jewish calendar is fully observed and celebrated at the University of Maryland.

5. Supporting Jewish Identity in the Broader University Context

Chabad at UMD also plays a crucial role in the broader University of Maryland community, often working alongside other organizations like Maryland Hillel and the Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies to enrich Jewish life. The presence of Chabad leadership in university-wide dialogues, such as participation in the Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia, underscores its importance as a recognized voice for the Jewish student body on critical issues. The Bais Menachem Chabad Jewish Student Center (7403 Hopkins Avenue, College Park, MD) is more than just a house; it is a center of Jewish resilience, learning, and community. Its continued expansion, both in physical outreach with the new Namdar family and in the depth of its programming, confirms its vital and growing role in ensuring a vibrant, supportive, and engaging Jewish experience for every student at the University of Maryland.
university of maryland chabad
university of maryland chabad

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