Jewish students from universities across Texas and beyond gathered in College Station for the 17th Annual Texas Shabbaton, a weekend celebrating Jewish pride and unity. The event, hosted by Chabad at Texas A&M University, brought together students from more than ten campuses for meaningful connection and community building focused on Jewish campus life.
Students traveled from Texas A&M, UT Austin, Texas State, Texas Tech, UT Dallas, UNT, Rice, University of Houston, West Texas A&M, Tulane, and LSU for the multi-day program. According to organizers, rabbis and staff drove as far as eight hours with students from their respective campuses to participate in the gathering.
Jewish Campus Life Strengthened Through Regional Programming
The Shabbaton featured a diverse array of programming designed to address contemporary challenges facing Jewish students. Sessions included student-led discussions on Israel and Jewish campus life, along with specialized workshops addressing modern issues.
Professional runner Gal Arad led a session titled “Winning the Inner Race,” while Manya Lazaroff facilitated a discussion on sober dating. Additionally, Ari Lesser presented on combating antisemitism on social media, reflecting current concerns within Jewish student communities.
Terror Attack Survivor Shares Powerful Testimony
A significant moment during the weekend came from Bondi terror attack survivor Leibel Lazaroff, who shared his firsthand account of survival and faith. According to participants, his testimony left students deeply moved and inspired throughout the remainder of the program.
Robert French, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, attended in support of the initiative. “The students’ enthusiasm was so uplifting and inspiring,” he said, noting the Federation’s role in strengthening the Jewish future through such programs.
First Campus Mikvah Highlights Weekend Celebration
The weekend’s major highlight was a tour of the newly opened Aggieland Mikvah Educational Center, marking a historic milestone for Jewish campus life. The facility represents the first mikvah of its kind built on a college campus, according to event organizers.
The educational center includes three separate facilities: a mikvah for women, a mikvah for dishes, and an additional mikvah for men. This comprehensive approach expands opportunities for Jewish practice and education at Texas A&M University.
Building Community Through Shared Experience
Beyond formal programming, the Shabbaton emphasized community building through shared meals and celebration. Saturday night featured a musical Havdalah ceremony followed by a festive event with a DJ, inflatables, and a fire pit.
However, organizers emphasized that the weekend’s true impact lay in relationship building. Throughout the event, students formed new friendships and strengthened bonds with peers from across the state and region.
The Annual Texas Shabbaton continues a long-standing tradition now in its seventeenth year. The event was made possible through partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and Chabad on Campus International, demonstrating collaborative support for Jewish student initiatives.
Meanwhile, participants reportedly left the weekend feeling uplifted and empowered, carrying renewed Jewish pride back to their respective campuses. The emphasis on unity and visible Jewish presence resonates particularly amid ongoing concerns about campus climate for Jewish students nationwide.
The success of this year’s gathering suggests continued demand for regional programming that connects Jewish students across institutional boundaries. Organizers have not yet announced dates for the 18th Annual Texas Shabbaton, though the established tradition indicates planning will likely begin in the coming months.