It’s great to see so many people today—students, alumni, parents, faculty, donors and of course Rabbi and Leah Wilhelm, who have inspired this center.
I’d like to especially thank the donors for supporting our students. I would also like to thank Rabbi and Leah Wilhelm for opening their home and growing Rohr Chabad House at CU so rapidly with their open arms and welcoming family, making this center necessary.
Students, including our 2,200 Jewish students, look for a community when they arrive on campus and that sense of community is important to their success.
Rohr Chabad CU—and now the Schaeffer Family Jewish Student Center — does just that.
It is home away from home for Jewish students, providing fellowship, guidance, support, community, spirituality, opportunity and leadership.
I know that Rabbi and Leah Wilhelm have been offering all this and more in their home since 2005, but now the community has outgrown their home.
The Wilhelm’s have inspired so many of us here today, including Nicole Schaeffer and her parents George and Miriam Schaeffer.
When Nicole came to CU from LA in 2003 she was looking for a community, and she found it with the Wilhelm family and Chabad CU. Her passion has helped bring us, to this day.
As we gather today I am very excited for our students. But I also think about what you are doing for future generations of CU students with this new center. For that, I gratefully thank all of you, the Schaeffers, and all the donors.
We know that much of what we learn in college is based on experiences outside the classroom. Chabad CU—and now—the Schaeffer Center—play such an important role in the success of our Jewish students and their college experience.
Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here with you today.