Mamdani defends absence of Jews on judicial committee
Plus, the man who drove his truck into Chabad’s headquarters was sentenced to time served and a week.
July 2026 news archive
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Federal Judge Sentences Driver in Crown Heights 770 Vehicle Incident to Six Months
By 5 Towns Central Staff NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 29, 2026) — A New Jersey man has received a six-month federal prison sentence following an incident early this year in which he repeatedly struck the world headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement with his automobile.
JewishU Growth Summit Wraps Up in DC
25 Shluchos from across North America gathered at Chabad AU in Washington, DC for the first-ever JewishU Growth Summit for Shluchos hosted by Chabad on Campus International.
GET READY FOR PEGISHA!
Pegisha is a unique opportunity for students to experience authentic Jewish life, exploring the Rebbe’s neighborhood, visiting the Ohel, and spending Shabbos together with peers from 190+ schools across the globe.
ASHREINU GROUPS REGISTRATION CLOSING TOMORROW
Looking to connect with fellow Campus Shluchos in a meaningful, supportive way? Join Ashreinu Groups and meet regularly with fellow Shluchos to share, support, and grow together.
Fire destroys Chabad center in Ukrainian city where founding rabbi buried
The cause of the blaze near the grave of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was not immediately clear. By JNS staff A fire engulfs the Rabbeinu HaGadol visitors complex in the Ukrainian town of Hadiach, July 25, 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Chabad.
INTRODUCING THE WANDERING TABLE
A Kosher Culinary Tour of the Jewish Diaspora JewishU is excited to launch The Wandering Table, a dynamic new course that brings Jewish identity and tradition to life through food, travel, and hands-on learning.
LAUNCHING THE 5787 YEAR
Mark your calendars! We’re excited to invite all Shluchim & Shluchos to a Chabad on Campus International Network-Wide Zoom as we launch the 5787 year together. Thursday, 30 Av 5786 / August 13, 2026 1:30–2:30 PM ET SAVE YOUR SPOT NOW!
GRAND DRAW WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!
Mazel tov to the winners! There was an outpouring of support to the Chabad on Campus network through the Grand Draw platform. B”H, we are pleased to present the final numbers from this year’s historic Grand Draw: 165 Chabad Houses! 78,109 Tickets Sold! $2,807,761 Funds Raised!
MYZUZAH & MEZUZ.US CAMPUS INITIATIVE — APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2026-2027
Following a successful Spring 2026 pilot, applications are now open for the next MyZuzah & Mezuz.Us Campus Initiative cohort, running throughout the 2026-2027 academic year.
DORON KORNBLUTH
Doron Kornbluth will once again be joining us as a featured speaker at Pegisha this year. He is now putting together his U.S./Canada speaking tour for late October and November, and giving priority (and a discount!) to campus Shluchim.
JEWISHU WRAPS UP SUMMER TRAVEL
48 students recently returned from the JewishU Platinum Trip to Spain & Gibraltar! The students earned the trip by attending 6 JewishU courses throughout the school year.
ASHREINU GROUPS 5787 REGISTRATION
Looking to connect with fellow Campus Shluchos in a meaningful, supportive way? Join Ashreinu Groups and meet regularly with fellow Shluchos to share, support, and grow together.
Small Border Town Jew
I was the only CTeener from my small border town on the way to the CTeen International Shabbaton. I was nervous and didn’t know anyone. But CTeen welcomed me like family—and that weekend in 2013 changed my life.
Jewish Pride Starts With You
A friend once asked me, “What does being Jewish mean to you?” I thought for a moment. To me, being Jewish is the most extraordinary journey—full of history, purpose, and unity.
From Nigeria to Crown Heights
I’m French and Nigerian, and I grew up in northern France. I didn’t even know I was Jewish—it felt like a choice. That changed when we moved to Nigeria and met Rabbi Israel Uzan. At 14, I learned I was Jewish through my mother.
But this Time We Sang
Sugar Land, Texas doesn’t have many Jews. I’m one of just seven Jewish students at my school, most of whom aren’t religious. I was raised Reform, but after my Bat Mitzvah, I lost touch with Jewish life—until last year. My dad saw an ad on Facebook for a local CTeenU course.
Yes, I Got College Credit—But I Gained So Much More
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks once said, “For Jews, education is not just what we know. It’s who we are.” That quote perfectly reflects my experience with the CTeenU course.
Never Alone
I was in my sophomore year of high school, just a typical student living a normal life. I was studying hard, volunteering with different organizations, and pursuing my passion for photography. Everything felt steady—until it didn’t. It started with terrible headaches.
Three Strangers Walked Two Miles With Me
What’s the first word you think of when you hear “Judaism”? For me, it’s community. I grew up religious in a small beach town. Our weekly temple was full of friends and neighbors—until my parents divorced. We lost our friends, stopped keeping kosher, stopped keeping Shabbat.
When You Feel Stuck, Take Action
In 12 years of school, I’ve gone to 9 different ones. Moving so often made it hard to express myself. I settled for doing the bare minimum—but deep down, I knew I was betraying myself. My soul was yearning. So I took action. I reconnected with my rabbi.
I Used to Be Embarrassed to Be Jewish
I remember feeling different. On weekends, my friends hung out—but I had Hebrew School. I felt forced and frustrated. Then my parents saw an ad for Heritage Quest on Instagram. “Do you want to go?” they asked. I wasn’t so sure, but I said yes. At first, I was shy.
I Didn’t Think Judaism Was for Me
Growing up in a mostly Christian public school made it hard to feel connected to Judaism. Until this past year, I didn’t feel much of a connection at all. But this summer, I decided to join the CTeen board—and to make Judaism a priority in my life.
What If I Had Stayed Silent?
My parents were desperate for a miracle. For three years, they had tried to have a child, but nothing worked. Urged by their rabbi, they booked the expensive flight from Paris to New York to visit the Rebbe for a blessing.
