Connection and Community on Campus

"As the largest institution of higher learning under Jewish auspices, we feel it is our mission to foster a vibrant Jewish community on campus where the students can take leadership positions, training them to become future leaders in their communities,” says Touro University Executive Vice President
Rabbi Moshe Krupka.

Led by Rabbi Baruch Fogel, the campus rabbi for Touro’s Westchester campus, a member of the Touro University System, the Shtetl provides a sanctuary for students who value their Jewish identity while pursuing demanding academic careers. “The Shtetl is more than just a minyan,” Rabbi Fogel explains. “It’s a community. We have a synagogue on campus, regular prayers, and a schedule that accommodates the intense demands of dental and medical students.”

The Shtetl’s activities center around its synagogue, housed in the Alumni House on campus. Each day begins with morning prayers tailored to the schedules of students in clinical rotations. For third and fourth-year dental students, for instance, prayers start early, ensuring they can meet their clinic commitments. “The minyan is often run by dental students,” Rabbi Fogel says. “It’s remarkable to see how committed they are, despite their busy schedules.”

The Shtetl’s reach extends beyond prayer services. Shabbatons, weekend-long communal events, are a monthly highlight, offering students an opportunity to connect over meals, discussions and shared experiences. “The first Shabbaton I attended was during my first week at NYMC,” says Shloime Greenberger, a second-year medical student and co-president of the Shtetl. “I found myself thrust into the heart of the community, leading prayers and helping organize events. It was an incredible introduction.”

For many students, the Shtetl is an unexpected but welcome part of their NYMC experience. “I chose NYMC partly because of its Jewish infrastructure,” says David Schipper, a third-year medical student and vice president of the Shtetl. “Knowing I could attend a school with kosher food, a minyan and other Jewish students was incredibly reassuring.”

The Shtetl’s student-led board is composed of 11 members who coordinate a wide range of activities, from weekly Torah classes to holiday celebrations.

Another aspect of the Shtetl is its inclusivity. While it adheres to Orthodox traditions, the community welcomes all Jewish students, regardless of their level of observance. This welcoming environment is evident in events like Tu B’Shvat celebrations and Purim parties, which foster connections among students from diverse backgrounds. “Everyone likes to feel part of something,” Greenberger notes. “The Shtetl provides a space where Jewish students can embrace their identity without hesitation.”

The influence of the Shtetl, which is funded by private philanthropy to support the University mission, extends beyond the NYMC campus. Its proximity to the Westchester Medical Center means that even Jewish patients and their families sometimes join for Shabbat meals or prayers. This connection underscores the broader mission of the Shtetl: to create a cohesive Jewish community that bridges the gap between campus life and professional aspirations. “We’re not just building a community for today,” Schipper says. “We’re laying the groundwork for a vibrant Jewish presence that future students can benefit from.”

Plans are in motion to expand housing options and potentially build a dedicated synagogue to accommodate married students and families. “If you build it, they will come,” Schipper jokes.

Ultimately, the Shtetl is about more than events or infrastructure; it’s about creating a sense of belonging. For students like Greenberger, who moved to Valhalla without knowing anyone on campus, the Shtetl has been transformative. “It’s amazing to see people come together,” he says. “Whether it’s over a bagel after minyan or at a Shabbaton meal, the sense of community here is something special.”

Rabbi Fogel sums it up by saying that the Shtetl is “a reflection of the students who make it their own. Their dedication and warmth have turned it into more than just a place to pray or eat: it’s a home away from home.”

As the Shtetl continues to grow, it remains a testament to the power of community, faith and shared purpose for students on the arduous journey through medical and dental school.