September 2, 2011
Wednesday morning Sam Rosen posted on my facebook wall: “On this day In 2010 that his status was: I really want Tina Melamed, Tanya Melamed, Alana Reifer, and Lauren Frankoff to sit with me this Shabbat." Which marked my first Shabbat at Chabad, making this Shabbat my one-year anniversary. I started to think about all of the things that I have experienced in just one short year of coming to the Chabad house every Friday night. First of all, its pretty obvious that the food alone is reason enough to keep coming back. But once you realize that this place has so much more to offer than just a delicious meal, you realize how incredible the family is that runs this place. Rabbi Zev is inspirational week after week. And well, after I fell in love with Ariela and her cooking it is no secret that I quickly fell in love with their amazing children as well. They are not only the most beautiful and best dressed children I’ve ever met, they are also very unique in the sense that they all have such amazing personalities even at such a young age.
In addition to having a place to spend my Friday evenings, Chabad has enabled me to develop new and strengthen old friendships that wouldn’t be the same today without the all of the memories we have made together each week over the Shabbos table.
Today, a year later, it is hard for me to imagine not having Shabbat to look forward to each week. I can’t believe I spent two years at this university without ever stepping foot into the Chabad house. I can’t describe the feeling I get when I’m here, the best way to sum it up is that I am just a happier person all around. The sense of community, family, and support that exists within these walls is unmatched to anything else I have experienced on this campus.
So, I’d like to take this time to thank Sam for bringing me here because without his simple facebook status nearly a year ago today, I would not be here. And a huge thank you to Rabbi Zev and Ariela for welcoming me in with open arms, you both are incredible people.
Thank you. Shabbat Shalom.
This speech was written by UT Alumni and now dental student Alana Reifer a little over a year ago. I am pleased to share her words now on the Chabad blog for everyone to see.
-Kayla