A group of Elon University students participated in North Carolina’s Regional Pegisha, the state’s first regional Jewish gathering for college students. Hosted by Chabad of Duke Undergrads, students from Elon University, Wake Forest University and NC State joined together for meaningful Shabbat programming.

Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz, co-director of Chabad at Elon, worked with his colleagues across the state to organize this special weekend. Rabbi Minkowitz was “eager to participate in this new endeavor to expand the power of community and enable Elon students to have a meaningful hands-on Jewish experience alongside their peers.”

“Pegisha was a great way to foster connections with students who share the same values as myself in a fun, laid-back environment,” said Naomi Dolgoff ’28.

Throughout the weekend students had the opportunity to hear from guest lecturers, network with fellow Jewish students, explore Duke University and experience Shabbat with hundreds of college students from around North Carolina.

Spending Shabbat “surrounded by hundreds of Jewish kids just like him,” was what made the weekend meaningful for Max Kogan ’28.

The weekend concluded with a fun night at Top Golf, musical havdalah and food from Duke University’s Kosher food truck, Yalla.

Students are already looking forward to next year when they can reunite with their new friends and participate in another meaningful Shabbat together at North Carolina’s Regional Pegisha.