There’s something familiar happening at Chabad at WashU this fall and it’s not just the return of Shabbat dinner lines out the door. Rabbi Tzemach and Mushka Cohen, along with their baby daughter Rivka, are stepping into new roles as Directors of Learning and Student Engagement. For Mushka Cohen, a St. Louis native with deep campus roots, it’s a return to familiar ground. For Tzemach, it marks the start of something new.
The Cohens aren’t strangers to this community. Mushka grew up just blocks from campus and has been involved with Chabad at WashU in various ways over the years. She and Rabbi Cohen have spent time building relationships with students, hosting programs, staying in touch over breaks and showing up when it matters. Now, they’re making it official.
From local roots to campus leadership
“Coming back to St. Louis is incredibly meaningful to me,” Mushka Cohen said. “College can be a lonely time. I want students to feel like they belong, like someone sees them and values them.”
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That kind of personal connection is something students already associate with the Cohens. At Friday night dinners, they’re often the ones working the room, greeting students by name. “They know me by name and story,” said Wyatt, a WashU junior who asked to be identified by first name only. “And they make everyone feel that way.”
For Mushka Cohen, it’s about building an environment that feels real. “If we can laugh while we’re learning, that’s when it sticks,” she said. “I want students to leave feeling confident in themselves and in what they can bring to the world.”
Learning with purpose
The Cohens are stepping in at a time of steady growth for Chabad at WashU. With more students and a wider range of Jewish backgrounds on campus, there’s a growing need for thoughtful programming and real connection, especially for first- and second-years still finding their footing.
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“We’ve built a broad organization and now it’s time to take it to the next level,” said Rabbi Hershey Novack, co-director of Chabad. “What stood out about the Cohens was their ability to connect deeply while bringing professionalism, warmth and a clear vision for Jewish life on campus.”
That vision includes a renewed focus on Jewish education. “Every student deserves to know who they are, where they come from and what they stand for,” said Rabbi Cohen. “That’s what we want to build, programs that make that exploration accessible and relevant.”
Hitting the ground running
Even before making the move permanent, the Cohens were drawing attention. “When we came to campus to gauge interest, we were welcomed with such excitement,” Rabbi Cohen said. “Students kept asking, ‘When are you coming back?’”
Now that they’re here, the couple is moving quickly, expanding programming, deepening student relationships and laying the groundwork for a new chapter. Support for this growth comes from Chabad on Campus International and the Rohr Foundation’s New Shluchim Initiative along with a fundraising campaign to support early-stage student programs.
“They’re the right people for this pivotal moment in our community’s growth,” said Rabbi Novack. “And we’re glad they’re here.”
