About

Chabad at USC

Rabbi Sruly & Mrs. Shlomit Epstein - Formerly residents of Brooklyn N.Y., Rabbi and Mrs. Epstein moved to South Carolina in early 2015 to open a Chabad House that would cater to the growing number of Jewish Students at the University of South Carolina.

Mission Statement


Chabad at the University of South Carolina, under the directorship of Rabbi Sruly and Shlomit Epstein, exists to be a vibrant Jewish home in the heart of Columbia - a place where every Jewish Gamecock, regardless of background, affiliation, denomination, or level of observance, is welcomed as family. Our doors are open without conditions and without judgment, because we believe that every Jewish soul carries something irreplaceable, and that the college years are among the most formative moments to discover what that is.
Rooted in the timeless wisdom of Torah and the love-driven vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Chabad at USC is dedicated to serving the spiritual, educational, social, and personal needs of Jewish students and faculty on campus. We provide warm Shabbat and holiday experiences, kosher meals, one-on-one and group learning, leadership opportunities, and a steady source of guidance, friendship, and support throughout the college journey. Whether a student is exploring Judaism for the first time, deepening a lifelong practice, or simply looking for a home-cooked meal and a familiar face, they will find both at Chabad.
At the center of everything we do are relationships. Rabbi Sruly and Shlomit, together with their family, are committed to knowing each student personally - celebrating their milestones, standing with them through their challenges, and helping them build a proud, confident, and joyful Jewish identity that will carry them long after graduation. We strive to cultivate a community defined by warmth, authenticity, Jewish pride, and a deep sense of belonging.
Our vision is simple but ambitious: that every Jewish student at the University of South Carolina knows there is a place on campus that is unmistakably theirs - a place to grow, to question, to celebrate, to find inspiration, and to feel completely at home.
- Rabbi Sruly and Shlomit Epstein, Co-Directors, Chabad at the University of South Carolina
Student leadership

The student board

Chabad at USC is run with its students, not just for them. These are the people making it happen this year.

2026 Student Board

Sharon Talker Israel Fellow
Liya Mor Yossef Co-President
Josh Schwartz Co-President
Josh Gets Treasurer
Joy Israel Recruitment Chair
Mia Livi Sophmore Liason
Maya Silverman Sorority Chair
Shoshana Ritter Chief of Staff
Emma Iskhakov Israeli Fellow Assistant
Sophia Pahl Sorority Chair for Alpha Chi Omega
Sydney Seiler Sorority Chair for Pi Beta Phi
Emily Mraz Freshman Liason
Olivia Kaplan Recruitment Chair
Olivia Ziarno Freshman Liason
Elliot Shulman Secretary