Synagogue Connect is a project initiated by Rabbis Ronald N. Brown and Charles Klein for the purposes of reaching out to the many unaffiliated (to synagogues) college students in America. We are all well aware of the reports of anti-Semitism on college campuses. According to a survey conducted in May of 2021 by the Louis D. Brandeis Center with AEPi and AEPhi, two thirds of students experienced or were familiar with acts of anti-Semitism over the past 120 days (prior to taking the survey) on campus or in virtual campus settings.<\/span><\/p>\n There is much that is being done on campuses for these students. But we, in the synagogue community, have a role to play as well. As rabbis, along with our synagogues, we can reach out to college students to let them know that they are not alone and, perhaps, reconnect them to the synagogue community.<\/span><\/p>\n We are working with <\/span>Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority<\/span><\/a> (as well as many Jewish Organizations) to reach out to Jewish young adults residing on campus,\u00a0 living at home or traveling abroad. \u00a0 We have created an extensive list of synagogues which will open their doors (at no charge to them) or offer virtual services for the High Holidays.\u00a0 These students and young adults, who may come from unaffiliated families, can then choose a synagogue of their choice to attend. Beyond that, it is the hope of Synagogue Connect that this gesture might encourage an ongoing connection and collaboration between these Jewish students and local congregations.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to connecting college students to Synagogues, Synagogue Connect aims to connect Synagogues congregants to the local Jewish campus community. We hope to help serve as a pipeline to insure congregants’ children get and stay involved with campus Jewish life, and also have community members attend Jewish campus events.<\/span><\/p>\n