With graduation day now months ago and Olivia's next chapter about to begin, we just wanted to revisit with you and remind you (and us) just how special you both are and the deep presence OSU CHABAD has had in our daughter's life. Ours too.
Olivia's Jewish home away from home. Her safe place. Her spiritual place. The place where she found friends for a lifetime and the comfort, love and guidance of an extraordinary Rabbi and Rebbetzin. It was a journey that brought her knowledge. Confidence. Connection. Growth. Community. The many blessings she counts, having been an active member of OSU CHABAD, are wholly due to the two of you and the home you've built. The home that welcomed any and all. No requirements. No pretense. No questions. Just open arms, warm meals and warmer hearts. A place to be proudly Jewish. A place to be a college student. A place to be a proudly Jewish college student.
Thank you for all you do, have done and will continue to do for the Jewish community at OSU.
With love and gratitude,
Melissa and Jay Lawrence, Alumni Parents
Chabad was not just a Jewish home away from home for our daughter Jaclyn. Rabbi Zalman and Sarah were family. Chabad provided Jaclyn with love, support, yiddishkeit, and stability. She loved helping prepare for Shabbat meals and events, Sarah’s yummy Shabbat dinners, Lunch ‘n’ Learn with Sarah and Birthright with Zalman. When Jaclyn was sick, Sarah was her “OSU mom”, always dropping off chicken soup and worrying about her well being. Chabad OSU and Sarah and Zalman will always be family to us and we are very grateful to them for enriching Jaclyn’s experience at OSU.
Sheri & Alan Heller, Potomac, Maryland, Alumni Parents
OSU Chabad offers a welcoming and nurturing environment for students seeking to explore and strengthen their Jewish identity, providing a sense of family and belonging away from home. At the heart of this supportive community are Sarah and Rabbi Zelman, whose warmth and generosity make them the epitome of caring mentors and surrogate parents. Their dedication to the students is unmatched, as they go above and beyond to ensure each young person feels valued and supported. With their guidance, OSU Schottenstein Chabad House becomes more than just a place to learn, it transforms into a second home where students can connect deeply with their Jewish heritage and each other.
Rhonda Schottenstein, Alumni Parent
I loved OSU Chabad! Sarah and Zalmen are the best! They made my children feel very comfortable during their years at OSU.
The OSU Chabad house was a home away from home!
Thank you for all you do and continue to do!
We love you! 
Susan Glazer, Alumni Parent '04, '09, '14
I have two sons who graduated from The Ohio State University. They were both actively involved in OSUChabad throughout all of their years there. I always felt so much comfort knowing that my boys had their OSUChabad family. Rabbi Zalman and Sarah quickly became family to me and my husband as well! I can honestly say they are the reason we rested easy by knowing they were there if anything was needed…when the boys were sick they would help them, they welcomed them to every holiday and they made sure to truly get to know them by being present in their lives. I participated in an adult class via zoom with Sarah and she made such an impact on me with her wisdom and joyful outlook on life and Judaism. Rabbi Zalman was always available whenever I reached out to him for advice or reassurance. My boys and I have kept in touch with them since they graduated and we look forward to being a part of the OSUChabad family forever! We are so thankful to them!
Wende Berkowitz, Alumni Parent '20, '22
The Chabad House at Ohio State University is a dynamic and welcoming home for students, offering a wide range of educational, social, and recreational programs that deeply resonate with the Jewish community on campus. Under the leadership of Rabbi Zalman Deitsch and his wife, Sarah, the Chabad House has become a beacon of meaningful Jewish engagement. When my older son Josh attended Ohio State from 2016 to 2020, he and many of his fraternity brothers formed a strong connection with Rabbi Zalman, whose non-judgmental approach to Judaism embraced everyone, regardless of their level of observance. The genuine warmth and acceptance that Rabbi Zalman extends have left a lasting impact, instilling a deep sense of Jewish identity in those who interacted with him. The Birthright trip to Israel, led by Rabbi Zalman, was a transformative experience for my son and his friends, offering them not only a chance to connect with their heritage but also a unique perspective on Jewish life and spirituality. In recognition of the incredible work being done, the parents of Josh's fraternity brothers from the class of 2020 collectively purchased a brick to support the new Chabad building, a testament to the enduring sense of community and Jewish pride fostered by Rabbi Zalman and Sarah.
Since 2022, my younger son, Zachary, has also found a home at the Chabad House, where he has been drawn to the engaging programs and the nurturing environment fostered by Zalman and Sarah. Whether it’s participating in Shabbat dinners, holiday events, or other creative gatherings like "Steaks and Talmud" or "Tacos and Tanya," the sense of community and spiritual growth is palpable. Zachary's fraternity has even contributed to hosting a Shabbat dinner, further strengthening the bond between students and the Chabad House. The Chabad House has also been a source of strength and comfort during challenging times, particularly when the October 7th war in Israel broke out. Rabbi Zalman and Sarah provided a safe and secure space for students to gather and support one another and help students with anti-semtic fears. I have personally witnessed the profound impact of their leadership, not only on my children but on the broader Ohio State community. My husband Mark and I are proud to call Sarah and Zalman our friends. There have been many chicken and matzo ball soup deliveries to my children when they were sick, pictures sent to me with my son putting on tefillin and feeling incredible of this mitzvah and mezuzahs put on doors during move in. In addition, I had the privilege of helping organize and fundraise for a parlor night in New York City with Sarah and others, where we worked to increase awareness and support for the new Chabad building being constructed in Columbus. It was an amazing evening, filled with inspiration and camaraderie, and I am honored to support this vital project that will continue to serve as a foundation for Jewish life at OSU for years to come.
Audrey Weitz, Alumni Parent