Reflector News

New Rabbi and Rebbetzin move to RVA to run Jewish Life at VCU

Rabbi Menachem Lessoff and Daniela Lessoff.

 

Jewish Life at VCU is thrilled to welcome Rabbi Menachem Lessoff and Daniela Lessoff to Richmond.

The Lessoffs arrived just in time to begin a new year of robust programming for our college students at VCU.

Rabbi Menachem Lessoff, from Israel, and Daniela Lessoff from Ukraine, moved to the U.S. after their wedding in 2022 and are extremely excited to be serving the Jewish students at VCU.

From the moment they arrived, the energy at the JVCU house on Grove Avenue increased dramatically. They are busily serving a full Shabbat meal every Friday, feeding over 30 students and often community members and VCU staff.

Rabbi Lessoff is out meeting students and tabling daily, already greatly increasing participation among Jewish students.  While being a Jewish student on campus has been stressful at times with anti-Israel protests occurring frequently, the Lessoffs have established a safe haven for students where they know they are welcome and where they can express their Judaism.

In addition to Friday night dinners, the Lessoffs host a light lunch and discussion group on Mondays, often featuring the rabbi’s homemade sourdough bread!  They also put on a beautiful and very thoughtful presentation on Oct. 7 allowing students to commemorate that day with interactive programming and reflection.

High holiday celebrations were well attended including festive meals, with over 100 meals served during Rosh Hashana and a meaningful day of services throughout the day on Yom Kippor.

Sukkot promises to be even busier, and the sukkah is being built with many meals and activities planned as of the writing of this article.

“What stands out about Menachem and Daniela is their boundless energy and big vision for the future,” noted Rabbi Kranz of Chabad of Virginia.

“It is beautiful to see Jewish Life at VCU hopping with students.”  They know that the Rabbi and Rebbetzin are there for them every day, regardless of anything else that may be happening on campus.  They truly have a home away from home.

 

Rabbi Lessoff with a student recently.

Mencahem and Daniela bring so much to this community.  In addition to being devoted to Schlichus, they each have much to offer personally to the students and the greater Richmond community.

When Rabbi Lessoff is not busy serving the students you may find him traveling around the globe.  When Daniela is not busy working on programming or amazing meals for the students, you will find her teaching preschool or reading some great books.

 

VCU students with Rabbi Lessoff at the Oct. 7 gathering at the JCC.

For more information or to get involved, please reach out at Rabbi@vcu.edu, Rabbi@JewishVCU.org   follow on Instagram @kosherrams and visit www.JewishVCU.org.

 

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