Shalom! 

Do you remember your first day at college? 

You are excited, but you are also anxious. 

You and me and everyone are complex. Rarely do we feel just one emotion.

Take this letter for example; I am excited to talk about Jewish Life at Florida State University and in the greater Tallahassee Jewish community.  But also anxious. Because I need to ask you to help.

What if I don’t do a good job in presenting my case? How will we continue to serve our community and students?

How can I describe Warmth, Love, Acceptance, and Tradition in a one page letter?
It’s a tough job. Because there’s something really special going on for the Jewish students at FSU and community members in Tallahassee. It’s not just me or my staff that is working to create a Jewish Home away From Home. 

It’s the whole family! 

Chanie, and I, and all of our children, really work hard to make sure that every students and community feels welcome and at home. Especially the kids. They are so excited to meet new peoples and to catch up with the “Regulars”. (Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I think that students come just to see them!) And it’s not just us and the kids…it’s our students and community members who join us! They become family too!

Our special mix of community and students is very unique. Students bring energy and excitement, community members bring their wisdom and life experience. The students appreciate the warm family environment. They add to the special feeling that you get when you walk into any Chabad event.

And it’s not just my family and our students and community members that create that special Jewish flavor... 

It’s you too!

When you make a gift towards our $450,000 annual budget you give our students and community members their weekly Sinai Scholars Torah Study, you give them a warm meal at Shabbat Dinner, and most of all, you give them a comfortable place where they know that no matter what time of day or night they were welcome.

You give them a listening ear and a warm family environment.

Many involved parents & friends join our unofficial “fiends committee” with a gift of $1,800. I’d love to see your name there. 

Or you can sponsor High Holidays experience for ten students for $540

You can sponsor a Shabbat Dinner for $500. (popular)

We also are gifted varied amounts like $180, $100 etc. 

Whatever you can give will be appreciated and valued.

Enclosed you will find a donation card and a return envelope for your convenience. 

When you send it, I will feel delighted & honored. 

Delighted that we can keep doing the work we love, and honored with your trust and belief in the work that we are doing on campus, at the community and at the Florida's capitol. 

Sometimes the two emotions don’t conflict.

Chanie and I wish you a Happy & Sweet New Year. We hope you feel both “happy” & “sweet”.

Warmly,

Rabbi Schneur Zalman & Chanie Oirechman