Chabad UofM

With the vision to open the doors of Judaism to all students and faculty at  the UofM, we have established The Chabad House, a place where Jews of all backgrounds and degrees of observance can enjoy exploring their heritage in a warm, welcoming and non-judgmental environment.

Mission Statement

The Chabad house doors at The University of Minnesota will always be open to all. It is a place where students can socialize in a comfortable, home-like setting, with friends, food and discussion. Chabad creates a warm and welcoming Jewish Student Center, where students can explore their Jewish heritage in a nonjudgmental and friendly atmosphere.

Founded on strong personal relationships, Chabad educates and empowers students to live the joy of Judaism. We do this with many social activities, classes and events where students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage, but yet in a fun interactive way. We provide for the spiritual and material needs of every Jewish student – regardless of background or affiliation with unconditional love and concern.

We look forward to personally welcoming you at the Chabad House where you will find warmth, wisdom and a good time at a House you can call your own!

The Chabad house doors at The University of Minnesota will always be open to all. It is a place where students can socialize in a comfortable, home-like setting, with friends, food and discussion. Chabad creates a warm and welcoming Jewish Student Center, where students can explore their Jewish heritage in a nonjudgmental and friendly atmosphere.

Founded on strong personal relationships, Chabad educates and empowers students to live the joy of Judaism. We do this with many social activities, classes and events where students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage, but yet in a fun interactive way. We provide for the spiritual and material needs of every Jewish student – regardless of background or affiliation with unconditional love and concern.

We look forward to personally welcoming you at the Chabad House where you will find warmth, wisdom and a good time at a House you can call your own!

Why are we here?  Because we care.  The values that lie at the heart of Chabad at the University of Minnesota are embodied in Torah and Jewish tradition.

They include:

  • A commitment to the growth and success of our students because to us, they are family
  • Dedication to the campus community to ensure Jewish continuity
  • An overall goal of helping one single person many times over because we strive to view each individual as just that, an individual

Chabad at the University of Minnesota is a meeting place for social, religious, educational, and cultural events.  Every Friday night while school is in session, we host Shabbat services and dinners that provide Jewish students with an intimate setting to eat, meet new people, and celebrate Shabbat in way that is spiritual, intellectual, and stimulating.

Our holiday programs – like Sushi in the Sukkah and Passover Seders – help raise Jewish consciousness and pride on the U of M campus.  In addition, our Sinai Scholars Program and classes on Jewish law, philosophy, and ethics share the beauty and depth of our heritage with students as well as the leadership community.

And most importantly, we are there for students around the clock.  Whether it’s a one-on-one learning session or a one-time request for help or advice, we are here to provide you with the support you need.

What exactly is Chabad at the University of Minnesota?  In a nutshell, we are…

  •  A Jewish student organization
  •  A comfortable home where you can explore your Jewish heritage
  • A forum where you can question faith and not be afraid of judgment
  • An opportunity to meet new friends and challenge yourself to think beyond the classroom

 A place where every Jew is family

Meet the Directors

Rabbi Yitzi Steiner grew up in Toronto, Ontario, where he attended the Cheder Chabad of Toronto. Then in 1998 Rabbi Yitzi Steiner went on to study at the Michigan Jewish Institute in Oak Park Michigan. He then continued his studies as an exchange student in Moscow, Russia. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Central Chabad Rabbinical Court in Israel and completed his studies at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York.

Since 2008, Rabbi Yitzi has served as the program director for the international Student Committee at Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. In this capacity, he joined a team in creating and executing extracurricular programming for the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Yeshiva system.

He later took on the responsibility as director of the Shluchim Learning Institute – a program that provides classes and courses as an ongoing training academy for the Shluchim around the world.

Mrs. Chavi Steiner was born in Leeds, England, where her father serves as the Dayan for the Leeds Jewish community. Her parents were sent by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1978 to open the first Jewish day school. The Rebbe imbued her with a sense of mission to devote her life to Jewish education and community. She graduated with distinction from the Leeds Menorah School, and continued her post-graduate studies at Beis Chaya Mushka Girls Seminary in Tzfat, Israel.

Chavi’s energetic personality coupled with her unique talents and people skills has made her a number one teacher and program director. She began her teaching career in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, where she was the school director and program coordinator for all the holiday programs provided by Chabad. She worked for one year as a teacher in the Leeds Menorah School. When she married and resided in Brooklyn she headed to Westchester County where she taught at the Chabad Jewish day school.

Chavi’s great cooking is sure to become a phenomenal attraction to Shabbat dinner at the Jewish student center.