Who are we?
Chabad at ASU is a family. Directed by Rabbi Shmuel and Chana Tiechtel, Chabad is a home away from home for every Jewish student at ASU (we call them ASJews).
In 2003, the Tiechtel's left their families, friends and their comfortable lives behind in search of a higher purpose. Despite no Jewish community, little Kosher food and serious financial obligations, Rabbi Shmuel and Chana Tiechtel established the Chabad Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University.
The Tiechtel's lived in a 1,400 square foot home which also operated as their new Chabad House. On Friday nights, their living room would be converted into a magical Friday night Shabbat dining room with students packed in attendance. Students felt the joy, love, and excitement...and kept coming back.
Rabbi Shmuel and Chana established a safe, welcoming and warm atmosphere for all Jews to feel accepted and cared for. They provided free Friday night dinners, Passover seders, High Holiday dinners and services, hospital visits, crisis counseling, delivered chicken soup to any sick ASU student, helped bring kosher food options to campus, and arranged campus wide menorah lightings.
Now, Chabad continues to impact hundreds of students each year, perpetuating a vibrant Jewish student commuity at ASU.
Why are we here?
We're here for YOU! For every Jewish student's needs, spiritual, physical, psychological, and any other 'ogical! If you need a place to hang out, a hub to find like-minded students, a Rabbi to learn from and get inspired, a Friday night dinner or just someone to talk with — that's what we're for! We live right next door to the center and because we care for every Jewish student, 24/7. Once you become an ASJew, you automatically gain this beautiful ASJew family and we're always happy to help in any way we can.
Who's Who?
Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel, founding Executive Director of Chabad at ASU, is source for guidance, advice (not just in spiritual stuff), a great friend who loves ASJews, an inspiring educator and leader of Jewish life for over a decade at ASU. Rabbi Shmuel is well-versed in Jewish law, Jewish philosophy and he's a great football player out on Chabad's Law Tigers Yard.
Chana Tiechtel, Co-Executive Director, is a fascinating speaker on a wide variety of relevant Jewish topics including relationships, Biblical stories, Kabbalah, spirituality, and prayer. Her cooking is not just good; it's gourmet. She's behind all those Friday night dinners you've been hearing about. She loves spending time with students at her weekly Lunch 'n Learn and meeting students personally just to chat and learn.
Dr. Danny & Malka Abelev - Jewish Life Coordinators
Malka graduated from ASU in 2014 with her BA in psychology and in 2017 with her MSW. It was at this very Chabad house where Malka discovered the beauty of her heritage, the meaning of her connection to Judaism and her husband!! (Dr. Danny and Malka met at Chabad in 2013 and married in 2015). Malka feels blessed for the opportunity to give back to the Jewish community at ASU and help students love being Jewish! Malka enjoys richly connecting with students, teaching/learning Torah and creating a meaningful environment for ASJews to unlock their second family and tap into their spiritual side.
Dr. Danny Abelev got his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and nutrition at ASU in 2014 and medical degree from St Louis University in 2020. As a student at ASU, Danny found his joy for Judaism at Chabad, and met his wife Malka! Now back at ASU Chabad, Danny is overjoyed to have the opportunity to show ASU students the beauty of Jewish identity, philosophy and heritage. He enjoys connecting with students, discussing riveting concepts of Torah, and helping to foster an environment that every ASJew can call their home away from home, and a place to discover more about their Judaism.
Shalom Kapuler - Programming Associate
Shalom is originally from Brooklyn, NY. He went to school in NY, Florida, and Israel after which he traveled through Europe... After so much traveling, he decided that he wanted to settle down and do something meaningful, so he came to Chabad at ASU!
You will see Shalom tabling on campus, helping out at events, and making sure the Chabad House is generally running smoothly!
Want to meet us in person? We'd love to meet you!