Shabbat Shalom everyone;
First of all I would like to thank Rabi Zev, Ariella and all the Johnsons for having us here today so we can enjoy another wonderful Shabbat.
As a member of Texas Sammy and a member of the Executive Board at Chabad, I welcome and thank every single one of you for coming here today. As you may or may not know, this is the 6th edition of Sammy Shabbat at Chabad ever since 2012, and I am happy to say that we have been able to do this ever since my cousin Jaime and couple of Sammy alumni started this great tradition with Rabbi Zev.
For those who don’t know me, my name is Julio Fascowich and I transferred to UT about 2 and half years ago and I will be graduating this coming May. Ever since I moved here, I have always been welcome by everyone, but I would like to give a special mention to Rabbi Zev and Ariella. Both of them have spent long hours making sure that every single student that walks into the Chabad feels welcome and part of the UT family, and that’s exactly how I felt when I first came for a Shabbat.
As this could be one of the few times for me to speak in public, which is something that I am actually terrified of, I believe that is important to mention all the great memories and friendships that I am taking from here.
Ever since I joined Chabad, I have always tried to help in every possible way, by helping get a minian on a weekday, set up the house for an event with the rest of the board, or even go get groceries. I am always happy to help, and even after all this, that’s not enough to thank both of our hosts.
I know I will still see all of you around this and next semester, but I wanted to acknowledge the great work that the Johnsons do here in Austin. I can’t thank them enough and I hope that both, Chabad and the relationship between Texas Sammy & Chabad, keep growing and hopefully, I will be able to come to a Sammy Shabbat as an Alumni.
Chabad is a great organization committed to show, teach and enhance the Jewish identity of every Jew that comes to this great university, undergraduate or graduate student. As we just celebrated Rosh Hashana, I want to wish Shana Tova to all of you and once again, thank the Johnsons for all the great things they have done for us. Lejaim!!
Thank you, Shabbat Shalom and please enjoy the rest of the amazing dinner that Ariella cooked for all of us.