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Chabad of Clinton, NY

A Jewish home away from home,for students at Hamilton College.

Shabbat dinners. Holidays the way they should be done. Bagels, lox and Tefillin. Torah and coffee. A door that's always open, whether you grew up religious, are just curious, or are still figuring it out.

See what's going on Meet the Waks Family
What we do

What you will find here.

Pull up a chair.

Shabbat dinners every Friday. Holidays the way they should be done: three courses, real singing, room for one more. Basically, here you're home!

Bring a question.

One-on-one study, classes, late-night arguments about Talmud and life. No background required. Coffee's on us. And usually food too!

Find your people.

Late-night schmoozes, finals care packages, friends for life. Sinai Scholars, Bagels Lox & Tefillin, and a couch that's always free.

2026-2027: our bar mitzvah year in Clinton!

From one Shabbat to a home for every student.

  1. 2014
    One student.

    One student.

    Rabbi Didy & Devorah Waks moved to Clinton with their three-year-old Mendel and one-year-old Yetta with a simple idea: invite every Jew, regardless of background, to be part of a warm community.

  2. 2015–23
    Dozens every Friday.

    Dozens every Friday.

    A community grew: Shabbat dinners, holidays, classes, friendships. From one student at one table to dozens of students every Friday night.

  3. 2024
    A home of their own.

    A home of their own.

    The Sands Chabad House at 108 College Street was opened in November of 2023 and was dedicated in September 2024. It was made possible by the generosity of a lead gift from Richard '87 and Phylise Sands, and many, many alumni, parents and friends. Shabbat in the main room, Talmud by the fire, a couch for every conversation. It was officially declared a “gamechanger” for Jewish students at Hamilton College.

In their words

What Chabad means to them.

Eliana Good My Hamilton experience would have been nowhere near the same without Chabad. It provided me with endless support, warmth, and many bowls of matzo ball soup. Chabad is what makes Hamilton home.
Eliana Good · Class of '24
Max Bratter Chabad represents community in ways that many have never felt in their lives before. It provides me with a space that alleviates stress when troubling times are affecting my peers and me.
Max Bratter · Class of '25
Sophie Blomberg Chabad is a supportive community of Jewish friends that have been essential in helping me embrace my Jewish identity. I'm so thankful to be a part of such a tight-knit family.
Sophie Blomberg · Class of '26
Alexis Mayer Chabad is one of the most important parts of my Hamilton experience. It provides me with a warm and welcoming place to express my Jewish identity.
Alexis Mayer · Class of '26
Chabad gives me a connection to the Jewish community on campus and provides me a home with excellent Shabbat dinners.
Jacob Slovin · Class of '18
Chabad did so much while I was at Hamilton. I want to make sure other students get to have it too.
Meredyth Ohringer · Class of '17
Jake Mair I have gained so much from being involved with Chabad. The most important thing I've gained is another Jewish family here at school.
Jake Mair · Class of '25
Sean Bennett I've been all over campus this weekend. This is the happiest place at Hamilton College.
Sean Bennett · Hamilton VP
Bruce Leight Chabad was the best part of college.
Bruce Leight · Class of '25
Jacob Shulman One day, I will be the #1 donor to Chabad at Hamilton because of how much it has enhanced my college experience.
Jacob Shulman · Class of '26
Hannah Lipskar I built my own Jewish identity, and a second family.
Hannah Lipskar · Class of '25
Grace Friedman Thank you for everything, truly. I am eternally grateful to have been a part of this community.
Grace Friedman · Class of '23
A.J. Zuckerman Thank you for being part of what made Hamilton great. I really have loved Chabad being a part of my college life.
A.J. Zuckerman · Class of '23
Josh Nadler Chabad is not just a home but a symbol of resilience, unity, and a proactive response to hatred.
Josh Nadler · Class of '26
Eliana Good My four years at Hamilton would not have been nearly as meaningful without your support, love and generosity.
Eliana Good · Class of '24
Chabad of Clinton has given me a stronger sense of identity and has built a community for me and every student at Hamilton.
Claire Cutler · Class of '24
Gabby Nakkab Chabad made Hamilton deeply meaningful.
Gabby Nakkab · Class of '25
Greg Parizhsky It was such an amazing experience, one of my best nights at Hamilton.
Greg Parizhsky · Class of '26
It was such a special night, really magical! A night we'll remember forever.
Sofia Bagdade & Chloe Lance · Class of '24
Thank you for creating an environment where I was able to not feel out of place because of my religious background.
Ethan Kalishman · Class of '24
I will miss having a community of welcoming proud Jews so close by, always knowing I can come down for food, advice, or a hug.
Julia Brous · Class of '24
Chabad and the Waks Family provide what Hamilton College cannot provide: a stable, authentic, genuine, vibrant Jewish experience.
Prof. Robert Kantrowitz · Class of '82
Chabad was the first community to make me feel truly welcome at Hamilton.
Jonas Eisman · Class of '28
Thank you to the Waks family who have led and created a model for others to explore and to engage.
Chris Card · Dean of Students
Before coming to Hamilton, I was a little worried. But at Chabad I found the most wonderful, active Jewish community.
Sabrina Grossman
Chabad gave me both friendships and a strong sense of connection.
Troy Pollock · Class of '25
You come once, and you're hooked. It's such an authentic community. Kids running around, genuine camaraderie. I know people care about me there.
Leo Gerst · Class of '26
This is everything we dreamed of.
Daniel Gliedman · Class of '20
It's so important to build and support safe places for Jewish students.
Marc Cooper · Solomon Partners CEO
This house is symbolic of the pride of the Jewish community. We're here to stay.
Luke Hayes · Class of '25
I gained an amazing second family.
Gaby Toppelberg · Class of '25
What's next

Upcoming events.

Shabbat, learning, holidays, and everything in between. RSVP in one click.

Come by

Visit us.

Sands Chabad House

108 College Street
Clinton, NY 13323

(315) 925-7613

Illustrated map: Sands Chabad House on College Street at Route 233, just east of the Hamilton College campus Open in Google Maps →

Drop us a line.

Shabbat dinner RSVP, a question about a class, or just to say hi. We love hearing from students, parents, and alumni alike.

Be part of it.

Every Shabbat dinner, every cup of coffee, every late-night class is here because friends like you make it possible. Join the Chai Club or sponsor a Shabbat.