Richard S. Moline
Director of KOACH College Outreach

What do you get when you combine the collective energy of over 100 college students from 49 campuses across North America? In some settings, one might find a giant frat party. In others, perhaps a small demonstration or a lot of nervous tension before a final exam. In the case of USCJ’s KOACH Kallah, one finds serious learning, intense discussions, spirited davening, and a lot of fun.

For the past 12 years, college students have gathered for the annual KOACH Kallah (gathering), which took place this past February at Northwestern University in suburban Chicago. (Previous kallot have been held at campuses such as George Washington University, University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Hofstra University, Rutgers University and the University of Miami.) With "Tzedakah guru" Danny Siegel as our scholar-in-residence, students had the opportunity not only to study Jewish texts on tzedakah but to actually apply these texts to real-life situations.

While hearing from Siegel and four "mitzvah heroes," students participated in a wide variety of social action projects designed to complement both the text study and the presentations. Long Island resident Syd Mandlebaum, the founder of Rock and Wrap It Up, told students how a visit to Israel with his father, a Holocaust survivor, motivated him to do more with his already full life. A scientist involved in cancer research and an inventor credited with numerous patents (including the device which measures the distance of home runs hit in major league ballparks), Mandelbaum now devotes much of his time to working with rock stars who agree to have written into their contracts that leftover food from the lavish buffets provided after concerts be donated to local agencies combating hunger. Mandelbaum motivated several students to contact their Hillel Foundations and university food services about doing the same.

P.K. Beville joined the group from Atlanta, where she heads an organization called Second Wind Dreams. Beville has dedicated her life to treating the elderly with dignity. Her group contacts nursing home residents and provides them with an opportunity to enrich their lives by fulfilling certain dreams. It was with great delight that students watched a video of a 90-year-old blind woman whose dream it was to ride all of the roller coasters at Six Flags over Georgia (the CNN cameraman filming the event took ill after the second ride) or the 80-something former truck driver who wanted to push an 18-wheeler over 100 miles per hour (arrangements were made with local law enforcement to enable him to fulfill his dream). While visiting the elderly later that day, students were able to understand that regardless of age, the promise of a future and personal interaction can go a long way toward helping one’s self-esteem.

On Friday night, Ranya Kelly, known as "The Shoe Lady of Denver," told students about a life-changing experience stemming from accidently stumbling upon a dumpster behind a prominent shoe store chain where she saw 500 pair of shoes being discarded. As a result of her activism, Kelly now oversees the distribution to the needy of thousands of items deemed to be unfit for sale (out-of-date fashion, maufacturers’ seconds, etc.). On Shabbat afternoon, Greg Siegman of Chicago, founder of the 11-10-02 Foundation, told students how personal rejection from the college of his choice motivated him to work with underprivileged students from the inner-city, working to break down racial stereotypes and to provide them with college scholarships. These messages were not lost on KOACH students, many of whom who find themselves in positions of influence on their own college campuses.

The kallah was more than a series of presentations. On Friday afternoon, students fanned out across the Chicago area to do their own tzedakah work. From baking hamentashen with residents of the Kagan Jewish Home for the Blind to leading Kabbalat Shabbat services with residents of the Lieberman Home for the Elderly, students left a strong impression across the city. Rabbi Norman Lewison, chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital, said that patients who received shalakh manot from KOACH were talking about the visits for days. Administrators at the Salvation Army, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club and a local Warming Center were tremendously grateful for the painting and maintenance performed. Students who helped provide AIDS awareness packets for the not-for-profit BeHIV organization were also able to engage in some frank discussions on Judaism and sexuality.

"Being in college is such a uniquely empowered time in our lives," said Amy Schneider of North Brunswick, NJ, a student at Brandeis University. "Having programs which channel that empowerment in terms of campus leadership, that is what made this weekend incredible. We have the vision to change the world, and now we have the means to do it."

Not only did students like Schneider participate in their own personal tzedakah programs, but they were also able to study Jewish texts in "Torah L’shma" sessions (study for it’s own sake) led by KOACH staff and visiting educators, including representatives from the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and Chicago area rabbis, Northwestern University professors and other educators.

Lest one think that the kallah was an entirely serious undertaking, it is important to note that students had a wonderful time socializing and getting to know peers from across the continent. After a spirited Shabbat, students gathered at a facility in Chicago to eat pizza, play indoor beach volleyball, basketball, pool, darts and more. On Sunday morning, the weekend was capped by preparing Passover packages which were sent to Jewish members of the armed forces serving in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.

KOACH Resources Learn about KOACH's Torah Lishmah learning project.

"It’s wonderful to be with fellow Jewish university students learning about Judaism," said Sarah Kader, who hails from Tempe, AZ, and is a student at the University of Arizona.

"This weekend was a dream come true for me," echoed Liza Zolot of Colorado Springs, an alumna of the KOACH birthright israel trip and a student at Illinois Weslyan University. "This is a difficult time in the semester, and there is no better source than this kallah for much needed inspiration and spirituality."

Toronto native Elisheva Gould seemed to sum it all up. "This conference is so important that all Conservative Jewish college students must take advantage of it. I learned a great deal and have made several close, wonderful friends."

KOACH Resources Learn about the 2003 Kallah (and apply online). Photos of the 2002 Kallah.

As for Danny Siegel, who puts on thousands of miles each year speaking to audiences across the globe? "A highlight of my year. What spectacular kids and what a beautiful staff you have created. Yishar Kokhehem!"