Quinnipiac University / Autumn D

Rabbi Reena Judd will leave Quinnipiac University after over two decades (Photo contributed by Quinnipiac University).

Stepping into Peter C. Herald House for Jewish Life, students are welcomed by Rabbi Reena Judd. She introduces herself and invites you in. 

Judd has been Quinnipiac University’s Rabbi for the past 23 years. She entered campus with less than 10 Jewish students meeting every five weeks. Today, over 30 students of all religions go to the Herald House once a week. Judd prides herself on building a community of acceptance and open arms at Quinnipiac.

“I’ve worked really, really hard to try and keep that balance and make it that way for all the people that stop in,” Judd said. “It’s the Jewish home on campus, but it’s not just for the Jewish students. It’s for anyone that finds it comfortable.”

Students come every week for Shabbat, bring new faces, leave with new friends, a new safe space and lots of free food. 

“Coming to Quinnipiac, I didn’t really have much connection with my Judaism,” junior psychology major Delilah Papka said. “Despite not being the most religious person, Rabbi has always made me feel warm, happy and proud of my religion. I know I always have a home here. She has the most welcoming arms, the most beautiful heart and has created such a wonderful place, that I think, honestly made me love Quinnipiac.”

Judd has been a Rabbi for 33 years. Growing up, she was always close to her religion and knew, whatever her profession, Judaism had to be the main focus. She started her journey by moving to and living in Israel at 18. 

The Israeli army requires all citizens to serve for 24 months and Judd was a member for three and a half years before finally saying, “I hate being told what to do.” 

She then moved back to the U.S. with her first husband, got divorced and stayed to become a Rabbi. 

“Becoming a Rabbi was my way of finding a life that the basic floor of it is Jewish,” Judd said.

She worked at two congregations for five years in Mississippi and New York. After being told her contract wasn’t going to be renewed because she was “too much,” she found the job at Quinnipiac. 

The Rabbi often referred to herself as “too much” and how her outspoken personality wasn’t liked by many people throughout her life. Judd said making people uncomfortable is her superpower. 

“I don’t make you uncomfortable because you’re comfortable in yourself,” Judd said.  “You have to be able to get along with your neighbor…I came to this conclusion of radical acceptance, you got to accept someone.” 

She explained that working with college students was the best fit for her personality and career. Judd wasn’t seen as “too much” for college students. Students come to college to figure out who they are and who they want to be. Judd gave Quinnipiac students a place for learning and growth.

“By the time most adults become adults, you’re set in your ways. You have your opinions. It’s hard for people to even listen to opinions that are different from them, whereas in college, there is a hunger that’s there. That’s been what’s kept me engrossed in college life, because the students with whom I interact are students who aren’t scared of me.”

Judd’s decision to leave Quinnipiac came from a place of love and time for change. 

“I’m going to go into the rest of my life and sit in my backyard in my hot tub drinking margaritas,” she said.

Judd mentioned her new goal is to publish an autobiography she’s been writing throughout her life, titled “White By Default: A Rabbi’s Reflections on Race, Religion, and the Bible.”

The students of Quinnipiac are going to miss Rabbi Judd and her “too much” personality. “She means so much to everyone and she really touches everyone’s heart,” Leona Levin, student assistant for the herald house, said. “She’s so special, honest and kind. She will really do whatever she can to try and make you better in every way and I think that’s beautiful. I’m going to miss her a lot.”