Shabbos House Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center
YES, WE ARE ON FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS! See this High Holidays 2026 page for schedules and info. We have festive holiday meals, prayer services and more.
About
Our FamilyShabbos House is literally a “Home Away From Home” with an on-site family to create a lived-in welcoming home 
Our MissionFounded in 1976, Shabbos House aims to be a “Home Away From Home” for students at UAlbany, providing a full spOur HistoryShabbos House was founded in 1976 by Rabbi Yisroel and Rochel Rubin, who moved to Albany in 1974 as Chabad ShlUAlbany Jewish LifeThe University at Albany has several unique features of importance to Jewish students:Boards & CommitteesShabbos House Directors: Rabbi Mendel and Raizy RubinPartners & LinksThe Shabbos House Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center serving UAlbany is proud to be affiliated with:Programs
Shabbos ScheduleShabbat is a very special time in the UAlbany Jewish campus community. Friday Nights are the one time of the wWeekday ProgramsName notwithstanding “Shabbos House” operates all week long! In addition to Holidays , Torah-Tuesdays , Challa
Campus TablesL’chaim and Shabbos House Tabling is a great way to interact on campus, with engaging, insightful and enjoyablWomen’s ConnectionThe UAlbany Jewish Womens Group is co-sponsored by UAlbany Hillel and Shabbos House Chabad. We meet monthly, uKosher Dining UAlbany & Area KosherFor several decades, UAlbany operated an on-campus Kosher Kitchen. It closed over Covid, and instead UAlbany DChallah & CulinaryThe Shabbos House Kitchen is more than a place to make good food. Like all kitchens with character and soul, iShalom ProjectThe Shalom Project is a Shabbos House initiative for increased focus on an array of meaningful, constructive aExcess AccessExcess Access Share the Wealth is a program (begun in 2017) that involves student volunteers to package excess
III – Invest In IsraelIII – Invest in Israel is a program that began (in a more organized and focused way) at Shabbos House in the FSpecial EventsSpecial Events are one-time events, activities or guest speakers that are unique highlights on our calendar.
Campus TablesL’chaim and Shabbos House Tabling is a great way to interact on campus, with engaging, insightful and enjoyablWomen’s ConnectionThe UAlbany Jewish Womens Group is co-sponsored by UAlbany Hillel and Shabbos House Chabad. We meet monthly, uKosher Dining UAlbany & Area KosherFor several decades, UAlbany operated an on-campus Kosher Kitchen. It closed over Covid, and instead UAlbany DChallah & CulinaryThe Shabbos House Kitchen is more than a place to make good food. Like all kitchens with character and soul, iShalom ProjectThe Shalom Project is a Shabbos House initiative for increased focus on an array of meaningful, constructive aExcess AccessExcess Access Share the Wealth is a program (begun in 2017) that involves student volunteers to package excessIII – Invest In IsraelIII – Invest in Israel is a program that began (in a more organized and focused way) at Shabbos House in the FSpecial EventsSpecial Events are one-time events, activities or guest speakers that are unique highlights on our calendar.Resources
ParentsObviously, we don’t see parents of students here all that often, but their presence and involvement is very mu
Prospective StudentsSince you are considering UAlbany for college, we want to be sure you know all there’s to know about Jewish liAlso on their site
UAlbany Israel MemoriesThis year we did an “around the world” theme for the first four meals of Sukkot. Our second stop (for lunch onThe Composite Shabbos Shuvah DrashaMost students are familiar with Rabbis’ sermons on the High Holidays. But there’s an old custom for Rabbis to 
High Holidays 2026This Fall 2026 the Jewish holiday season comes very soon at the start of the year, Rosh Hashanah begins the weLong & Short of a 3-Day YomTovThis year, the two days of Rosh Hashanah are Thursday and Friday (beginning Wednesday night) which end just asThe Erev Yom-Kippur DrunkA long time ago, in Eastern Europe, a Jew was thrown into debtor’s prison a day or two before Yom-Kippur. He lWhy emphasize Lulav over Etrog?It so happens that today, on Shabbos, the last of a long 3-day YomTov with many meals served, we’re down to 9 SIMCHAT TORAH 2013 Extended Weekend ScheduleWe’re now coming around the bend to the last stretch of the holiday season. With much of Sukkot behind us, we’Lazer Lloyd and the Flat-5Earlier this summer Raizy and I went up to hear Israeli/Jewish Blues Musician Lazer Llyod play at Saratoga ChaOur Chinese Family RootsTonight we’re doing Chinese in the Sukkah, on the 2nd night of Sukkot, 5774. I’d like to take this opportunityYK: Rain, Flooding & the Drain on Great Dane DriveI’ve told this story years ago, back in the days of the old Shabbos House, and before Great Dane Drive was namRosh Hashanah 5774 (2013) at Shabbos HouseWhile many students went home to spend the holiday with their families and home communities, we still had a niSUKKOT 2013 Meals & Prayers at Shabbos HouseSukkot is a super special time of the year at Shabbos House with festive meals, atmosphere, warmth and friendsWhy the Tehillim Story?Today Chai (18th of) Elul is the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement. There are sYK: Jonah and the Lego BrickIt so happens that I’ve had this Lego block at my place for most of this Yom-Kippur. It’s one of the effects oOpening Weekend Shabbat – Fall 2013Summer flew by too quickly, and we didn’t get everything accomplished (including the work on this new website)Changing LightbulbsBedtime is an important ritual in this house, especially for the younger kids, on nights that we don’t have evRosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Services & Holiday MealsWhile many students will be headed home for the extended weekend off for Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year, we wilStarting College & the Barrel RaceOne of our end of summer family rituals is to go to the local country fair. It gives the kids a chance to see The Juggler & the Cyclist: Nitzavim & VayelechThis week I merited to see two Jews happily put on Tefillin outside the synagogue context, who ordinarily woulSyrian Jewish HistoryWhen coming up with a list of countries to “visit” this Sukkot as part of our “around the world” Sukkot experiThe Sukkahleh SongThanks to enthusiastic students over the years, this Sukkaleh song has become a true Shabbos House favorite, sYK: A Yom-Kippur 2000 Conversation in Dutch QuadJust before the start of Yom-Kippur, an alumnus posted this meaningful memory on his Facebook Wall. I in turn YK: Our Yom-Kippur AppealHow can we go through all of Yom-Kippur without an appeal? No self-respecting synagogue would do that! We don’Yom-Kippur at UAlbany 2013 (+ pre-fast & break-fast)YOM-KIPPUR SCHEDULE AT UALBANY 5774 / 2013YK: Sunset, Sunrise, & the Rhythms of TimeYes, I got that header right. The Fiddler song is “Sunrise, Sunset” but the famous poem on Yom-Kippur eve titlMidnight Selichot Jam – Sat Night 9/1This is the third year of the Midnight Selichot Jam, initiated by Ben Z. who was and remains passionate about Round Challahs, Honeycakes, Dishes & Desserts…It’s been busy in the Shabbos House kitchen cooking, baking and preparing for the 3-day Rosh Hashanah holiday Last Shabbos of the Jewish Year 5773 (8/31-9/1)This weekend was a Hillel dinner on Friday Night in Campus Center Room 375 with a tropical theme and linen pasYertle the Turtle, Little Mack & Rosh HashanahMany are familiar with Dr. Seuss’ “Yertle the Turtle” (a parable about dictators and those who abuse others inYK: Shofar Blowing in Marching Band UniformThis year, for the first time ever, UAlbany has it’s own Marching Band, which debuts in the new Bob Ford FieldBFF – Israeli Bike For the Fight stop at AlbanyA team of Israeli cyclists “Bike for the Fight” biking long-distances to raise funds and awareness for cancer “Fistuali Anali” An Italian story about relationshipsThis is a story from the book “A Life Examined is a Life Worth Living” about a couple honeymooning in Italy.Israeli long-distance cyclists to stop at Shabbos HouseBIKE FOR THE FIGHT (BFF) is a cancer fundraising effort dedicated to raising awareness and financial support fShofar Factory – a blast!More than 5o Shofars were tested, chosen, sanded, polished by students at this year’s on-campus Shofar FactoryThe Unannounced Minyan BrunchOfficially – on the semester schedule – we only had 3 Bagel Brunches planned, about one for each month. But ifSukkah Jam & Late Night StudyIt is traditional to stay up late for Torah study on Hoshana Rabba, the final Sukkot weekday before Simchat ToMidnight Selichot JamIt’s traditional to come out and pray at the synagogue at midnight of the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah. It’s 9/11 & Pre-Yom-Kippur Mitzvah TableDespite the scorching heat and humidity, the L’chaim Mitzvah Table was out there outside Campus Center with MiMidweek: Torah-Tues & Mitzvah TableThe days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called “10 Days of Repentance” a time for reflection, persona
Rosh Hashanah 5787/2026 at UAlbanyYES, WE ARE ON FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS! See this High Holidays 2026 page for schedules and info. We have festiveShofar Factory at Small Fountain 8/29The Shofar Factory returns to UAlbany this Thursday, August 29th, from 11am until 2pm. Stop by to make your owLabor Day Minyan Bagel Brunch11am Minyan with Tefillin, Prayers, and Torah-reading at Shabbos House. We’ll also be doing some Selichot for
High Holidays 2026This Fall 2026 the Jewish holiday season comes very soon at the start of the year, Rosh Hashanah begins the weLong & Short of a 3-Day YomTovThis year, the two days of Rosh Hashanah are Thursday and Friday (beginning Wednesday night) which end just asThe Erev Yom-Kippur DrunkA long time ago, in Eastern Europe, a Jew was thrown into debtor’s prison a day or two before Yom-Kippur. He lWhy emphasize Lulav over Etrog?It so happens that today, on Shabbos, the last of a long 3-day YomTov with many meals served, we’re down to 9 SIMCHAT TORAH 2013 Extended Weekend ScheduleWe’re now coming around the bend to the last stretch of the holiday season. With much of Sukkot behind us, we’Lazer Lloyd and the Flat-5Earlier this summer Raizy and I went up to hear Israeli/Jewish Blues Musician Lazer Llyod play at Saratoga ChaOur Chinese Family RootsTonight we’re doing Chinese in the Sukkah, on the 2nd night of Sukkot, 5774. I’d like to take this opportunityYK: Rain, Flooding & the Drain on Great Dane DriveI’ve told this story years ago, back in the days of the old Shabbos House, and before Great Dane Drive was namRosh Hashanah 5774 (2013) at Shabbos HouseWhile many students went home to spend the holiday with their families and home communities, we still had a niSUKKOT 2013 Meals & Prayers at Shabbos HouseSukkot is a super special time of the year at Shabbos House with festive meals, atmosphere, warmth and friendsWhy the Tehillim Story?Today Chai (18th of) Elul is the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement. There are sYK: Jonah and the Lego BrickIt so happens that I’ve had this Lego block at my place for most of this Yom-Kippur. It’s one of the effects oOpening Weekend Shabbat – Fall 2013Summer flew by too quickly, and we didn’t get everything accomplished (including the work on this new website)Changing LightbulbsBedtime is an important ritual in this house, especially for the younger kids, on nights that we don’t have evRosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Services & Holiday MealsWhile many students will be headed home for the extended weekend off for Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year, we wilStarting College & the Barrel RaceOne of our end of summer family rituals is to go to the local country fair. It gives the kids a chance to see The Juggler & the Cyclist: Nitzavim & VayelechThis week I merited to see two Jews happily put on Tefillin outside the synagogue context, who ordinarily woulSyrian Jewish HistoryWhen coming up with a list of countries to “visit” this Sukkot as part of our “around the world” Sukkot experiThe Sukkahleh SongThanks to enthusiastic students over the years, this Sukkaleh song has become a true Shabbos House favorite, sYK: A Yom-Kippur 2000 Conversation in Dutch QuadJust before the start of Yom-Kippur, an alumnus posted this meaningful memory on his Facebook Wall. I in turn YK: Our Yom-Kippur AppealHow can we go through all of Yom-Kippur without an appeal? No self-respecting synagogue would do that! We don’Yom-Kippur at UAlbany 2013 (+ pre-fast & break-fast)YOM-KIPPUR SCHEDULE AT UALBANY 5774 / 2013YK: Sunset, Sunrise, & the Rhythms of TimeYes, I got that header right. The Fiddler song is “Sunrise, Sunset” but the famous poem on Yom-Kippur eve titlMidnight Selichot Jam – Sat Night 9/1This is the third year of the Midnight Selichot Jam, initiated by Ben Z. who was and remains passionate about Round Challahs, Honeycakes, Dishes & Desserts…It’s been busy in the Shabbos House kitchen cooking, baking and preparing for the 3-day Rosh Hashanah holiday Last Shabbos of the Jewish Year 5773 (8/31-9/1)This weekend was a Hillel dinner on Friday Night in Campus Center Room 375 with a tropical theme and linen pasYertle the Turtle, Little Mack & Rosh HashanahMany are familiar with Dr. Seuss’ “Yertle the Turtle” (a parable about dictators and those who abuse others inYK: Shofar Blowing in Marching Band UniformThis year, for the first time ever, UAlbany has it’s own Marching Band, which debuts in the new Bob Ford FieldBFF – Israeli Bike For the Fight stop at AlbanyA team of Israeli cyclists “Bike for the Fight” biking long-distances to raise funds and awareness for cancer “Fistuali Anali” An Italian story about relationshipsThis is a story from the book “A Life Examined is a Life Worth Living” about a couple honeymooning in Italy.Israeli long-distance cyclists to stop at Shabbos HouseBIKE FOR THE FIGHT (BFF) is a cancer fundraising effort dedicated to raising awareness and financial support fShofar Factory – a blast!More than 5o Shofars were tested, chosen, sanded, polished by students at this year’s on-campus Shofar FactoryThe Unannounced Minyan BrunchOfficially – on the semester schedule – we only had 3 Bagel Brunches planned, about one for each month. But ifSukkah Jam & Late Night StudyIt is traditional to stay up late for Torah study on Hoshana Rabba, the final Sukkot weekday before Simchat ToMidnight Selichot JamIt’s traditional to come out and pray at the synagogue at midnight of the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah. It’s 9/11 & Pre-Yom-Kippur Mitzvah TableDespite the scorching heat and humidity, the L’chaim Mitzvah Table was out there outside Campus Center with MiMidweek: Torah-Tues & Mitzvah TableThe days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called “10 Days of Repentance” a time for reflection, personaRosh Hashanah 5787/2026 at UAlbanyYES, WE ARE ON FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS! See this High Holidays 2026 page for schedules and info. We have festiveShofar Factory at Small Fountain 8/29The Shofar Factory returns to UAlbany this Thursday, August 29th, from 11am until 2pm. Stop by to make your owLabor Day Minyan Bagel Brunch11am Minyan with Tefillin, Prayers, and Torah-reading at Shabbos House. We’ll also be doing some Selichot for