Largest US Shabbat Celebration Brings Together Over 2,000 Jewish Students

In a historic show of unity and resilience, over 2,000 Jewish college students from 176 universities and eight countries gathered in Brooklyn, New York, for the largest Shabbat celebration in the United States. Organized by Chabad on Campus International, the event, called “Pegisha,” which means “encounter” in Hebrew, spanned three days of learning, reflection, and celebration of Jewish heritage.

The gathering, held in the Crown Heights neighborhood, marked a significant increase in attendance compared to last year’s 1,300 participants. Avi Weinstein, COO of Chabad on Campus, attributed the surge to the growing climate of antisemitism on college campuses.

“Students are feeling the effects of increased antisemitism and a lack of support from their universities,” Weinstein said. “Their presence here in such large numbers reflects a desire to connect and find strength within the Jewish community.”

The event comes at a time when anti-Israel and antisemitic activity on U.S. campuses has reached crisis levels. According to a September report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), anti-Israel incidents rose by an alarming 477% during the 2023–2024 academic year. Ten universities, including Columbia, Michigan, UCLA, and Harvard, accounted for a disproportionate share of these incidents.

For many students, the rise in hostility has ignited a renewed sense of Jewish identity. Arizona State University junior Courtney Berman reflected on how the events of October 7 and subsequent antisemitism prompted her to attend Pegisha.

“We’re seeing a revival of Jewish identity on a mass scale,” Berman said. “People who grew up secular or Reform are now keeping Shabbat and kosher, including myself. When people try to take away our Judaism and our culture, it only pushes us closer to it.”

Berman described the event as “inspiring, empowering, and unifying,” adding that she felt renewed confidence about returning to campus and openly expressing her Jewish identity.

Students left the event determined to share their experiences and strengthen their local Jewish communities. Mark Rhoge, a University of Pittsburgh student, emphasized the impact Pegisha could have beyond those who attended.

“That sense of pride and hope is great for the Jewish people,” he said. “It’ll create a snowball effect with how many people we are able to touch.”

Pegisha showcased the enduring power of Jewish tradition and unity, demonstrating that in the face of challenges, Jewish students are embracing their heritage with greater determination than ever.

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