New Shluchim to Bring Fresh Energy to University of Florida

By COLlive reporter

The Chabad UF community is buzzing with excitement as Rabbi Meyer Shlomo and Chaya Mushka Brook (nee Goldman) prepare to join as the new Shluchim at the University of Florida. With their arrival scheduled for July, they are eager to hit the ground running and positively impact Jewish life and learning in Gainesville.

The Brooks will be assuming key positions within the Chabad UF team, serving as directors of Graduate Student Programming, Campus/Community CARE, and Kosher Operations. These roles are crucial in catering to the diverse needs of the university community and ensuring a vibrant Jewish experience for all.

“We are thrilled to become part of the Chabad UF family of Shluchim and contribute to the growth of Jewish life on and off campus,” shared Rabbi and Mrs. Brook. “We have many exciting ideas and are eager to bring greater energy and enthusiasm to our work.”

The addition of the Brooks to Chabad UF comes as the community recognizes the increasing demand for expanded services and programs. Shluchim Rabbi Berl and Chanie Goldman expressed their enthusiasm for their daughter and son-in-law joining as new Shluchim, in addition to themselves and Rabbi Aron and Pessie Notik.

“With Mushka’s deep roots in Gainesville and Rabbi Meyer’s exceptional skills and passion, they are the perfect fit for these important positions,” the Goldmans said.

They said that while the community achieved significant milestones in fostering a warm and vibrant environment for Jewish students and community members, much more remains to be done. The arrival of the Brooks will infuse Chabad UF Center with renewed energy, warmth, and activity throughout the week, especially during holidays and Shabbos, they said.

Among their primary responsibilities, the new Shluchim will focus on catering to the needs of graduate students through the Graduate Student Programming initiative. With over 16,000 graduate students enrolled at the university, including a significant Jewish population, there is a pressing need to provide engaging and educational programs tailored to their unique needs.

Through JGrads, a dedicated organization for Jewish graduate students, Rabbi Meyer and Mushka will foster a sense of unity and provide a supportive environment for growth and connection.

The Campus/Community CARE program will be overseen by the new Shluchim, ensuring that students and community members have a reliable point of contact for their needs and requests. This includes providing referrals to medical professionals, organizing wellness checks, and facilitating acts of kindness such as the Soup Care Bag Project and visitations to hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes. Moreover, Rabbi Meyer and Mushka will offer guidance and counseling to those facing personal challenges, referring them to appropriate professional care when needed.

In their role as Directors of Kosher Operations, the Brooks will oversee the expanding range of kosher services available on and off campus. They will ensure the highest level of kosher supervision for Shabbos, holidays, meal plans, and the Grab N Go program. Additionally, they aim to broaden the availability of kosher food both on and off campus, surpassing the current offerings and meeting the community’s growing demand.

The Chabad UF community is reaching out to all individuals who share their vision and goals, inviting them to partner in this new and exciting endeavor. By supporting the new Shluchim’s salaries and the programs they will provide, donors will play a crucial role in guaranteeing a flourishing Jewish community at the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.

To support their Shlichus, donate at www.JewishGator.com/NewShluchim