As the first rabbi to hold the position of Jewish chaplain at Hamilton, Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport hopes to create a greater sense of community among Jewish students and an environment in which they can easily practice their faith.
In the brief time he's been on campus, the rabbi has already made an impact. He made arrangements for a kosher barbecue during orientation, participated in Convocation, offered Rosh Hashanah services, held a Friday night Shabbat and dinner on Family Weekend, established and conducted weekly study groups, and orchestrated a celebration of Sukkot, the commemoration of the wandering of the Jews. Future plans include establishing services for all major holidays and creating alliances with local synagogues and the Utica Jewish Community Center.
Rabbi Rapoport also oversees the advisory board of Hillel, the nationally affiliated Jewish student organization that became a part of the Hamilton campus in the mid 1980s. Its purpose is to serve the approximately 170 students at Hamilton who are Jewish.
"The students are very friendly here. They say hello as they pass you," Rabbi Rapoport noted. "I also like the seriousness with which they seem to approach their studies."
Along with College Chaplain Jeff McArn and Newman Chaplain Father John Croghan, Rabbi Rapoport adds to the diversity of spiritual counseling options on campus. And as an orthodox Jew of the Hassidic tradition, he brings an added perspective.
"Rabbi Rapoport brings a form of Judaism which most of our students may find unfamiliar, but he is equipped with a love for students, a vibrant personality and an integrity of faith which will overcome many differences between Jewish traditions," said Chaplain Jeff McArn. "He will make a big difference for Jewish prospective students who are looking for a campus where they can study at a first-rate liberal arts college and still maintain an observant Jewish lifestyle."
Having just celebrated his 25th year as an ordained rabbi, Rabbi Rapoport has spent more than 20 of these years working with students on various campuses in Upstate New York. He is currently involved at Syracuse as director of the Chabad House, a 24-hour resource for Jewish students, and also works with students at SUNY Oswego and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Originally from Brooklyn, Rabbi Rapoport has studied in New York City as well as in France. He did graduate work in Talmudic studies and holds a doctorate of Talmudic Jurisprudence. He moved to Syracuse in 1991. He and his wife are the parents of eight children.
