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Runya Wagner

@runyawag

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The month of Tishrei is filled with special days.
The last one, on the 29th day of the month, is Runya's birthday!
In leading our family and our community, for her children, grandchildren, and thousands of students and friends, Runya always shows up for everyone with dignity, class, compassion, and love. Please join me in wishing her your blessings for a very Happy Birthday, and a year filled with bracha and hatzlacha - blessings, success, joy, and good health!

Happy Birthday Runya! by @runyawag

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7 days ago

A new home for Jewish life at USC. ❤️💛

On August 30, students, alumni, university leadership, supporters, families, and friends gathered to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Chabad Jewish Student Center at USC — 26 years in the making.

What began in 2000 with a few students and a dream has grown into nearly 12,000 square feet dedicated to Jewish life at USC.

As Runya Wagner shared:

“We didn’t build 12,000 square feet just to have more space. We built a place where Judaism can have more life.”

Throughout the evening, speakers and guests reflected on what this home represents: belonging, Jewish pride, leadership, friendship, learning, and connection.

Noah Razak described it as:

“A home where Jewish students can walk through the door and know that they belong.”

We were honored to celebrate alongside USC President Beong-Soo Kim, Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Nora Johnson, Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni, our student leaders, alumni, supporters, and the many people who helped make this moment possible.

There were tears in many eyes when President Kim declared his commitment to making USC the most welcoming university for Jewish students in the country.

Suzanne Nora Johnson described the work of the Wagners and Chabad as the ultimate model of the Trojan Family.

And Dean Soni spoke about Chabad’s emphasis on joy — something he said is exactly what we all need in this moment.

More than a building, this is a home for community, celebration, and generations of Jewish Trojans to come.

Welcome home! ❤️💛

#ChabadUSC #USC #JewishLife #FightOn #WelcomeHome by @runyawag

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2 months ago

“We thought we were doing a little addition. G-d had something much bigger in mind.” Fifteen years ago the plan was to raise a million dollars and add a thousand square feet to the dining room at Chabad at USC. On Sunday night, 400 people gathered on Severance Street for the grand opening of a 12,000-square-foot home with a sanctuary, student apartments and a rooftop kosher restaurant where any USC student can now use their campus meal swipes. Noah Razak, a senior, first saw the house as a construction site, when the Wagners pointed across the street and promised it would be finished by the time he arrived. On Sunday he stood in front of it and told the crowd it had given him “more than enough reason to be a proud Jew rather than a fearful one.”

Read Full Article: Lubavitch.com (link in bio) taken in USC University by @runyawag

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2 months ago

Save The Date - Historic Grand Opening!

At long last, we are overjoyed to invite you to our Grand Opening, celebrating the opening of the expanded and beautifully restored Chabad Jewish Student Center at USC.

After years of planning and renovation, we're excited to open a vibrant new home for Jewish life at USC.

Please save the date for Sunday, August 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Our Jewish Trojan Family will gather to celebrate this historic milestone, joined by USC President Beong-Soo Kim, university leadership, community dignitaries, students, parents, and alumni, as well as our generous donors and supporters.

✂️ Ribbon Cutting
🏛️ Building Dedication
🗺️ Guided Tours
🥂 Reception
✨ Celebration

Please visit www.chabadusc.com/opening for info.

We would be honored to celebrate this special occasion with you by @runyawag

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3 months ago

Happy Anniversary @runyawag
For the past 27 years building our family and our Trojan Jewish family, raising kids and grandkids or sharing your wisdom with the world, teaching and cooking for thousands, and so much more your inner light shines through in everything you do!
Bezrat Hashem we're just getting started! Lchaim! by @runyawag

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4 months ago

Today, the 3rd of Tammuz, marks 32 years since the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. I've shared this before, but I was thinking about it in a new light today.
So much of what we do is planting seeds. Many people come through our doors and have a meaningful Jewish experience. But some times you wonder about the long term influence of such fleeting experiences. And then I look at these pictures, and consider what a profound impact on my life - and as a result on thousands of others - these fleeting moments with the Rebbe had.

Runya grew up in the Chabad community of Crown Heights. The Rebbe's inspiration and influence surrrounded her all her life. See detailed description below.
I didn't grow up a part of Chabad. I showed up as a shy, introverted teenager, but the vitality of the Rebbe's presence, and the inspiration of his teachings would become the driving influence of my life ever since.

The Rebbe taught us to aspire to truly love every Jew. He taught us to never see anything as impossible. He taught us to feel a sense of responsibility, to teach, to inspire, to transform, and to make the world a better place.
It is the Rebbe's inspiration that led us to create Chabad at USC, and that continues to drive everything we do every step of the way.

Please join us on this special day in rededicating yourselves to the Rebbe's mission to add goodness and kindness and light to our world through one mitzva at a time!

Some of the above pictures:
1. Runya (and her Mom) receiving a blessing for her Bas Mitzva at a special audience for Bas Mitzva girls. [1991]
2. I receive Kos Shel Bracha (wine from the Rebbe's havdala) after attending my first farbrengen with the Rebbe. [1990]
3. As a young child Runya fought leukemia. In this picture, Runya - next in line, with hair shortened by treatments - receives a blessing from the Rebbe for a complete recovery, including a promise to her father that he would see her get married and have children. [1984]
4. On the day that I adopted many Chabad traditions, the Rebbe blesses me to always share good news. [1992]
5-14. Various occassions of Runya and me receiving a dollar from the Rebbe to pass on to charity, along with his blessing. by @runyawag

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4 months ago

Mazal Tov Shneur on your Rabbinic ordination and graduation today!
We are so proud of all you have accomplished and learned on this journey, culminating today with your Semicha!
Most importantly, you have absorbed the lesson that being a Rabbi is about a lot more than just knowing the laws and being able to answer the questions. It is about true humility and empathy, truly caring for people and doing what you can to help light their path. You exemplify Ahavas Yisroel - love and care for others, and Hiskashrus - true connection to the Eternal and commitment to your mission and purpose. With those traits, we have no doubt you will go on to accomplish great things!
Mazal Tov! taken in Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad by @runyawag

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4 months ago

Mazal Tov Sorelle @scohen13 and Evan @thecanyoncarver on your beautiful wedding tonight!
Nothing we love more than alumni weddings. So much that this is bli ayin harah the third Cohen wedding we've done in 2 years!
#ChuppahSelfie #AlumniWeddings

May the love and light of this night shine through your entire lives together!

Mazal Tov also to all of the Cohens: @jenniferecohen @curtis.cohen.7 @cobythegiant @schlossed_and_found @joshneutel @aviacohen72 and the entire family! taken in Four Seasons-Westlake Village by @runyawag

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5 months ago

Mazal Tov Menachem!
Growing up at USC, I guess a cap and gown had to be in his future some time.
Mazal Tov on graduating nursing school! Especially apropos as the Jewish month we're in - Iyar - is an acronym for the words Ani Hashem Rofecha - G-d is the true Healer. May He always direct your hand in bringing healing and blessing wherever you go! taken in Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing by @runyawag

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6 months ago

Last week, @jewcla and a number of Jewish and Israel organizations at UCLA hosted @omer_shemtov - a former hostage who spent over 500 days in Hamas captivity - to share his story.
In a display of truly twisted morals and values, UCLA's student government condemned the event, as if this innocent victim of Hamas brutality were in fact the oppressor.
All of that makes tomorrow night's speaker even more crucial to show up for. Bar Kupershtein, 21 at the time, was working at the Nova music festival as a paramedic and security guard. When the attack started, he remained on site to care for the wounded and was kidnapped. He spent over 2 years! in brutal captivity, before he was finally released as one of the last group of living hostages.
Join us tomorrow to hear his incredible story of courage, resilience, and faith.
5:45pm Doors open
6pm Event
7:30pm Shabbat dinner
RSVP required at www.chabadusc.com/bar taken in Chabad @ USC by @runyawag

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6 months ago

20 years ago. Long before the TikTok reel was invented. Mushky, Menachem and Shneur made a video to invite students to the Seder.
The invitation still stands. Join us Wed and Thurs night. Info and RSVP at www.chabadusc.com.passover taken in Chabad @ USC by @runyawag

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7 months ago

#Shabbat1000 on Friday was beyond epic!
While the cameras had to go off at sunset in observance of Shabbat, the party continued to grow late into the night. Thank you so much to our hosts at Sigma Chi, to the 100+ table hosts, the 1000+ attendees, and everyone who helped make this happen!
Let's keep this energy flowing as we get ready for next week's Purim Party. chabadusc.com/events taken in Chabad @ USC by @runyawag

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8 months ago