Rabbi E. was flabbergasted. He hadn’t known this student wasn’t keeping Shabbos regularly
Several weeks ago, Rabbi Aaron Eisemann, a campus rabbi at NYU known to all as “Rabbi E,” invited 12 Jewish students down to Lakewood for a day of professional networking arranged by Rabbi Mendy Brukirer of Meor JX. The students met with industry leaders and successful businessmen who happily shared tips and contact information.
The day didn’t feature any overtly religious programming, focusing instead on the role of a frum Jew in the professional world. But the organizers would learn that even that limited focus would have an unforeseen impact. Four weeks later, Rabbi Eisemann met a student whose sole participation in Jewish life on campus had been this event. He asked the student about his weekend plans.
“Rabbi,” the student responded earnestly, “this is the fourth week I’m keeping Shabbos.”
Rabbi E was flabbergasted. He hadn’t known this student wasn’t keeping Shabbos regularly. He asked how the student had come to observe a foundational mitzvah. The student explained that he had joined the Meor JX business trip to Lakewood and kept hearing one common theme from attendees: Shabbos observance had kept them grounded and provided desperately needed balance.
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