Spring Break
Rabbi introduces students to Judaism
CLAIRE MILLER
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: News
Sometimes he stands at a table in front of the Jittery Joe's in the Student Learning Center.
Other times he sets up in the Tate Center Plaza.
Either way, Rabbi Shlomo Gelbtuch said he enjoys making himself available to talk with students about Judaism.
"I love connecting with students and seeing their enthusiasm," he said.
Gelbtuch came to Athens two and a half years ago to work with Hillel, the University's Jewish student life organization.
"I studied and lived in Israel for a few years, and when I came back to Atlanta, the Atlanta Scholars Kollel wanted me to work to increase the presence of Judaism here in Athens," he said. "We work beautifully with Hillel."
Atlanta Scholars Kollel is an Atlanta-based organization that reaches out to the Jewish community by "uniting fellow Jews through shared joy in religious education and Judaic tradition," according to the organization's Web site.
Gelbtuch is one of the newest members of the organization, and he offers
his knowledge and services to students at the University.
There's no such thing as a typical day or a typical week for him in Athens, he said.
Gelbtuch conducts classes on Judaism, meets with students and answers questions they have about their faith.
He also said he helps organize trips to Israel and wants to help students get a more hands-on Jewish experience.
One of the most visible parts of his job is his presence at the Tate Center or the SLC, he said.
"I'll open up an 'Ask the Rabbi' table and take questions from students of all denominations," Gelbtuch said. "I'm just trying to reach out to any student who wants to learn."
He said the student response since arriving in Athens has been remarkable.
Now he's trying to expand his outreach programs by working with the Jewish community at Georgia Tech.
Gelbtuch said this works well for him because he lives in Atlanta and commutes to Athens to work with students.
It's this student interaction that makes the job worthwhile, he said.
"I learn a tremendous amount from my students - probably just about as much as they learn from me," he said.
Lee Shaffer, the Jewish student life coordinator for Hillel, said he thinks Gelbtuch has made an impact on the Jewish community in Athens.
"He's done great things in terms of bringing awareness of Judaism to the Athens community," he said. "He also offers dinners on Friday nights to his students. He's a great model ... for traditional Orthodox Judaism."
Joseph Beker, a junior from Marietta and president of Hillel, wrote in an e-mail that he has attended several Friday night dinners with Gelbtuch.
"People would pack into his house to spend time there with him and his family on Friday night," Beker wrote. "He provides a person for Jewish students to talk and connect to."
Other times he sets up in the Tate Center Plaza.
Either way, Rabbi Shlomo Gelbtuch said he enjoys making himself available to talk with students about Judaism.
"I love connecting with students and seeing their enthusiasm," he said.
Gelbtuch came to Athens two and a half years ago to work with Hillel, the University's Jewish student life organization.
"I studied and lived in Israel for a few years, and when I came back to Atlanta, the Atlanta Scholars Kollel wanted me to work to increase the presence of Judaism here in Athens," he said. "We work beautifully with Hillel."
Atlanta Scholars Kollel is an Atlanta-based organization that reaches out to the Jewish community by "uniting fellow Jews through shared joy in religious education and Judaic tradition," according to the organization's Web site.
Gelbtuch is one of the newest members of the organization, and he offers
his knowledge and services to students at the University.
There's no such thing as a typical day or a typical week for him in Athens, he said.
Gelbtuch conducts classes on Judaism, meets with students and answers questions they have about their faith.
He also said he helps organize trips to Israel and wants to help students get a more hands-on Jewish experience.
One of the most visible parts of his job is his presence at the Tate Center or the SLC, he said.
"I'll open up an 'Ask the Rabbi' table and take questions from students of all denominations," Gelbtuch said. "I'm just trying to reach out to any student who wants to learn."
He said the student response since arriving in Athens has been remarkable.
Now he's trying to expand his outreach programs by working with the Jewish community at Georgia Tech.
Gelbtuch said this works well for him because he lives in Atlanta and commutes to Athens to work with students.
It's this student interaction that makes the job worthwhile, he said.
"I learn a tremendous amount from my students - probably just about as much as they learn from me," he said.
Lee Shaffer, the Jewish student life coordinator for Hillel, said he thinks Gelbtuch has made an impact on the Jewish community in Athens.
"He's done great things in terms of bringing awareness of Judaism to the Athens community," he said. "He also offers dinners on Friday nights to his students. He's a great model ... for traditional Orthodox Judaism."
Joseph Beker, a junior from Marietta and president of Hillel, wrote in an e-mail that he has attended several Friday night dinners with Gelbtuch.
"People would pack into his house to spend time there with him and his family on Friday night," Beker wrote. "He provides a person for Jewish students to talk and connect to."
Be the first to comment on this story