By Joshua Rand, Staff Writer

On March 13, everything was about to change right in front of our eyes. Except, we couldn’t see what was happening because the danger was invisible. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) forced Stockton University to move to an online format of instruction, after spring break ended on March 24.

This transition included canceling club meetings and events, and as such, Chabad had to close its doors. However, Chabad at Stockton knew that this wouldn’t stop them from remaining connected with the Jewish community and students.

As a Chabad member myself, I have been enlightened by the amount of support and life-changing impacts this organization has had for me. After joining in early 2019, I immediately was filled with a feeling of connectedness. There is always that feeling of liveliness and community, and that’s what is so special about Chabad. Since the virus
has since moved everyone into isolation, there has been outreach from Rabbi Meir Rapoport and Shaina Rapoport, to keep the Jewish life at Stockton alive.

Despite the challenge, students, including myself, have been able to join a virtual pre-Shabbat Zoom so everyone can be together. Zoom has been a great way to stay connected, and a great way to sustain a tight-knit Jewish community in a time of crisis.

There is always that feeling of liveliness and community, and that’s what is so special about Chabad.  Since the virus has since moved everyone into isolation, there has been an outreach from Rabbi Meir Rapoport and Shaina Rapoport, to keep the Jewish life at Stockton alive.  Despite the challenge, students, including myself, have been able to join a virtual pre-Shabbat Zoom so everyone can be together. 

This has been a great way to stay connected, and a great way to sustain a tight-knit Jewish community in a time of crisis.  We are all in this together, and Chabad is continuing to be a resource to its students and the surrounding Jewish community.  With Passover coming up, a virtual Passover discussion will be held on Zoom on April 5. 

We are all in this together, and Chabad will continue providing students and the Jewish community with resources. With Passover coming up, a virtual discussion will take place via Zoom on April 5. Passover begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 8, and ends on the evening of Thursday, April 16.