38 | APRIL 21 • 2022 

D

uring Chabad’s first 
year on the Michigan 
State University cam-
pus in the spring of 2019, 
they held a Shabbat dinner 
at Spartan Stadium, the first 
event of its kind in Michigan 
State’s Jewish history. They 
did it again on April 8 at 
Spartan Stadium.
“We wanted to do some-
thing on campus that everyone 
walking by and everybody 

would see — something fun 
and cool for Jewish pride,” said 
Simi Shemtov, who, along with 
her husband, Rabbi Bentzion 
Shemtov, founded the Chabad 
and planned the 2019 Mega 
Shabbat. Back then, the 
Shemtovs had to tell the cater-
ers and Spartan Stadium what 
a Shabbat dinner was.
This year the Shemtovs 
brought more firsts to Spartan 
Stadium. March 31 marked 
the first time tefillin had ever 
been wrapped on the field 

at Spartan Stadium. Rabbi 
Shemtov led Elan Krakoff in 
the Shema as Krakoff wrapped 
the black leather straps 
around his left arm. Another 
first: Chabad kashered the 
kitchen in Spartan Stadium’s 
Huntington Club. 
More than 300 people came 
to this year’s Mega Shabbat, 
which featured many pro- 
Israel related things, including 
a Kotel photo backdrop and 
henna painting, all part of the 
pre-dinner, which Chabad 

called the “Israel Matzah Ball 
Social.” 
Participants had a ball at 
the event. “Honestly one of 
the best Shabboses I have 
ever had, and I have had over 
3,500 Shabboses in my life,” 
Dr. Howard and Dr. Barbara 
Belkin of Birmingham wrote 
after the event. 
 Due to the fighting in 
Ukraine, Chabad dedicated 
the dinner to the people of 
Ukraine. 

Rabbi Shemtov, co-director of Chabad at MSU, addresses the crowd 
during Shabbat dinner

MSU Chabad’s 
Mega Shabbat Dinner

BRIAN GOLDSMITH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Alex Mison and Alli Vanderaue help to open the evening.

Senior Jared Pazner poses with his mom, Monica 
Moray, one of many parents who came up to MSU 
to participate in this Shabbat dinner with their 
Spartans.

Friendship Circle Director Rabbi 
Levi Shemtov helps a Spartan in 
laying tefillin at the “Kotel wall.”

Dr. Blake and Noami Casher of East Lansing enjoy 
the night of Jewish unity. 

faces&places

