The CJL and Chabad partnership

The Center for Jewish Life (CJL) has completed a joyful week-long Passover celebration. More than 300 students attended 12 different seders, participated in evening programs in all five residential colleges, consumed more than 1,500 kosher-for-Passover meals and joined religious services spanning the denominations. I am proud of the growing vibrancy of Jewish life on campus.

Recently, an issue developed that relates to the campus Jewish community. Last year, the University recognized the Chabad student group as an University recognized study group. This year, President Tilghman decided not to recognize the Chabad rabbi as a Princeton-affiliated chaplain. Since there has been misinformation spread about the views of the CJL board of directors, I would like to clarify our position.

The CJL is governed by a board of Directors consisting of 42 alumni, faculty, staff, parents, community members and student leaders. The CJL Executive Director is a Princeton-affiliated chaplain, responsible for "serving the needs of all Jewish students at Princeton." When the question of a Chabad chaplaincy was raised, then Dean of Religious Life, Tom Breidenthal asked the CJL board to submit a private letter with our perspective. Before writing the letter, the board explored the many issues involved at numerous meetings, official and unofficial, over the course of six months. Given the nature of the request, I initiated a face-to-face meeting with Rabbi Eitan Webb in early November, 2006 and briefed him and his wife fully on the contents of our letter, but I did not share it in deference to Dean Briedenthal's request.

The CJL letter stressed several important points: First, we are an umbrella organization that serves all Jews, regardless of denomination, whether religious or secular, whether Jewish through one or two parents or through conversion. In this regard, we are unique. Second, because of the relatively small Jewish population at the University, we believe it is critically important for the Jewish community to remain unified and coordinated.

We told Dean Breidenthal that the CJL hosts services for Orthodox, Conservative and Reform students, which are also attended by members of the broader community. We employ rabbinic leadership to serve all the major denominations, including an Orthodox rabbinic couple to serve the unique needs of the Orthodox community. The CJL also provides a wide range of non-denominationally based religious, political, educational, cultural and social activities for students.

Our letter stated that, in the event that some Jewish student groups choose not to affiliate with the CJL, the University could consider appointing an auxiliary chaplain to serve their needs. Even if this decision were taken, the CJL would remain open to these students; the CJL's services would continue to be available to them, the CJL's functions would include them and the CJL executive director would welcome them to the full range of Jewish activities.

Our board is aware of the support that Rabbi Eitan and Gitty Webb have among the Chabad student group. We also know of the positive contribution that Chabad programming has made to Jewish life on campus. We told Dean Breidenthal, and I reaffirm here, that the Chabad student group is welcome to affiliate with the CJL, and the Chabad student president is welcome to participate in monthly meetings with the leaders of all Jewish groups on campus. We welcome the opportunity to discuss with Rabbi Webb how to structure a relationship that is based on already existing CJL affiliations and modify them as necessary to accommodate Chabad.

We told Dean Breidenthal that if Chabad does not desire such a relationship with the CJL, and if the University decided to recognize Chabad as an independent chaplaincy, it should do so "in a manner that does not diminish the central and leading role of the CJL as the official Jewish chaplain at the University."

The CJL believes that the needs of our relatively small Jewish community can best be served by coexisting under one umbrella. The CJL would welcome Chabad's participation in a manner that benefits both organizations. Chabad, for its own reasons, does not feel comfortable joining the community structure that for many years has supported and nurtured all other campus Jewish organizations. Outside the issue of University recognition, I am proud of the CJL's efforts to build a strong relationship with Chabad through regular communication and the co-sponsorship of two major events this year, Sushi in the Sukkah and Shabbat 300.

At the Passover seder, Jewish people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate our shared history, our shared future and the importance of community. I urge that we continue this conversation with a new spirit, one that recognizes that the CJL and Chabad are partners, not adversaries, in a shared mission of strengthening Jewish life at Princeton. Rabbi Julie Roth is the executive director of the CJL. She can be reached at julroth@princeton.edu.