What Are We About?       To view our activities please click here      FAQ's click here

For many young Jewish students, especially those who have just finished high school, university can be a daunting place. On Campus students are regularly confronted by anti-Semitism and anti-Israel rhetoric. It is important for the Jewish community to understand that young people, at this age, make life choices which have vital implications for themselves and the survival of the community at large.

Merkos On Campus is an association comprising of a broad collection of members of the Jewish community including leading Rabbinical figures in Australia, and a diversity of professionals, business people and volunteers formed to promote and foster Jewish identity on campuses around Melbourne. We aim to help students develop into proud and effective Jews.
We offer counseling and crisis intervention as well as shiurim (lessons) and publish a weekly newsletter. We send out a short weekly email with links which keeps students informed about a host of  important announcements, Jewish courses, Jewish Functions, festivals and social events.

Campus is a breeding ground for assimilation and many Jewish souls have been lost eternally on its grounds. Coming out of the restrictions of Jewish day schools makes students looking to express themselves as free individuals particularly susceptible. We believe that true freedom for a Jew is tapping in to the infinite potential that each Jew possesses, a potential to overcome all obstacles and barriers and become self actualised. It is during these years at university that a strong and accessible organisation such as ours is vital.

We are an affiliate of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, which is the Central Organization for Jewish Education in Australia. This organisation is involved with all members of the Australian community and is under the direction of Reb. Aron Serebryanski, the Lubavitcher Rebbe's shaliach. Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch is the educational arm of the Worldwide Chabad organisation. Established in 1941 by the Previous Rebbe of Chabad, Merkos now operates around the globe, supporting the educational initiatives of local Chabad institutions. Most international campuses have a Chabad organisation similar to ours working with and helping students.  There are over four thousand centres worldwide. Click here to read the essay "Beliefs in action"

We are non-political and not exclusive. We aim to teach any student who is interested. We teach Jewish and Noachide principles, values and wisdom as well as mysticism and Kabbalah to students and others. These teachings are a proactive approach to a high quality lifestyle and outlook. For more information about Chabad please click here.
For Chabad On Campus International Please Click Here    
"We cannot rest until Chabad is on every major college campus in the world" Click here for transcript of address by Professor Alan Dershowitz
Click here for AUDIO address by Professor Alan Dershowitz   
 The answers were blowin' in the wind click here for full article Rabbi Rapp meets Bob Dylan Jewish News August 16 2007      
Students attitudes on campus article - click here