A place to call their own: Jewish students at the U. celebrate first-ever gathering space

SALT LAKE CITY — For the first time in the University of Utah's 175-year history, Jewish students have a dedicated place to call their own.

On Wednesday, local Jewish, university and civic leaders joined with the growing Chabad at the University of Utah community to celebrate its official opening of the school's first-ever Jewish space — the Mel Meister Chabad Lounge.

Located just a few steps west of campus, the Chabad on Campus facility already functions as a gathering space for the growing number of Jewish students and their friends — and as a physical symbol of safety, resilience and inclusion.

Henry Rade is a University of Utah senior and president of the student board at Chabad on Campus.

A Los Angeles native, Rade remembers moving from an area with a large Jewish community to Salt Lake City. It was vital for him to connect with members of his faith and culture. The local Chabad helped him feel like he belonged at his new campus home.

"Now to have our own Chabad House right across from the University of Utah is amazing," Rade said at Wednesday's celebration.

Attending college is stressful, he added.

"So to be able to just walk across the street and find my friends and family, and just rest and pray and do everything that Jews do, is truly amazing."

Members of Salt Lake County's Jewish community add that having a dedicated Jewish space for University of Utah students marks a key milestone of diversity and inclusion — while also providing a private sanctuary for Jewish students to practice their faith, connect with peers and freely celebrate their heritage.

Rabbi Moshe Nigri, the director of Chabad on Campus at the University of Utah, said that Wednesday's grand opening reflects the university's — and Salt Lake City's — support of the area's growing Jewish community.

One of Nigri's first duties after settling in Utah a few years ago was to connect with and support Jewish students at the University of Utah. Soon he and his wife, Sarahle Nigri, were launching the Chabad at the University of Utah.

Just a handful of students attended the organization's first events. Two years later, there are scores of university students participating in the Chabad's social gatherings and classes.

"And that's what this lounge is all about," said Nigri. "It's not only the walls. It's not only a physical space. It's way more than that.

"It's a space where the Jewish students can be themselves, can serve with the Jewish traditions — and a place to call a home away from home."

Sarahle Nigri added Wednesday that the newly opened lounge is not simply a place where Jewish students at the University of Utah can relax and recharge. It's a sacred space to connect with one's heritage "with a great sense of purpose."

"In today's world, perhaps more than ever, it is essential that every Jewish student knows that they belong. That they are safe. That they are seen. And that there is a place that they can always call home," she said.

"This lounge is not just a gift to the students of today — but a promise to the students of tomorrow that wherever they are on their Jewish journey, there will be a place for them right here."

Sarahle's father, Rabbi Benny Zippel from Chabad of Utah, said Wednesday that the new facility "is a place where every single Jewish student at the University of Utah can find his or her place in discovering their inner center and allow their lives to evolve upon."

Also celebrating — President Randall & Mayor Mendenhall

Joining in Wednesday's celebration was University of Utah President Taylor Randall and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

Randall spoke of the "remarkable legacy" that the Zippel family has left on the Salt Lake City community during many years of leadership and service.

In his conversations with Utah students, the university president is discovering that they need more than simply an intellectual experience on campus.

"They actually need an experience where they feel their faith — where they feel welcome and know God and know where they can begin to rely on him for what they need in the difficult moments of life," he said.

Randall noted that perhaps he doesn't sound much "like an intellectual president today."

But "moments of faith" such as the one happening Wednesday, "mean a lot to our campus because they build its soul — and part of what we have to do together is build the collective soul of a campus.

"So that when there are moments of difficulty — when there are moments of trial — we can come together and we think good of each other first. And we dialogue and we figure out ways that we build community together."

A University of Utah grad, Mendenhall said the newly opened facility is a spiritual home for Jewish students on campus.

She saluted the contributions of the local Jewish community.

"Salt Lake City is better because you are here," said Mendenhall. "You belong here. I love you here. Keep teaching us. Keep teaching us ways that we can learn to understand and love each other more as a community.

"We need it more than ever."

A rousing endorsement of the University of Utah

The enthusiasm surrounding the newly opened Mel Meister Chabad Lounge was captured in full on Wednesday by Mel Meister's high-energy son, Adam Meister.

Adam Meister, whose financial contribution helped make the new lounge possible, is a Baltimore native. But he's certain that the University of Utah will become an educational destination for Jewish students from across the country.

"This Chabad on campus is a spark that will alert Jews all over the USA that this region is the place to be," said Meister.

"It's a safe region for Jews. It's friendly, open and accepting. … Jews should move out here to Salt Lake City and the Mountain West — and be pioneers."

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