The Love Story of Josh and Julia Haber

The Love Story of Josh and Julia Haber:
A Celebration of Tradition, Community, and Kosher Delights from Loaded Latke

by Jacqui Stack | August 29, 2024

Josh and Julia Haber, two proud RIT alumni, recently celebrated their marriage in Rochester with a wedding deeply rooted in tradition and surrounded by their RIT community. Their story, much like their wedding day, is a testament to the power of community and the lasting bonds formed during their time at RIT.

Josh and Julia Haber, wedding photo of them standing outside of a large white house venue

It Started with Banana Bread

Josh and Julia’s journey began at a regional Hillel community event, an international Jewish campus organization that serves Jewish students and young adults at colleges and universities worldwide.

They quickly bonded over their shared faith and baking— Josh’s infamous banana bread, to be specific. What started as a simple setup by friends soon blossomed into a deep and meaningful relationship nurtured by their involvement in the Jewish community at RIT.

Jewish Life at RIT: A Shared Connection

Julia participated in both Hillel and Chabad at RIT. Chabad at RIT is led by Rabbi Yossi Cohen and his wife Leah, who are dedicated to engaging with students and offering them opportunities to connect with their faith. They host regular events such as Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, Torah study sessions, and community service projects. RIT even has a Chabad House, serving as a home away from home for Jewish students.

Whether students are deeply observant or simply curious about their Jewish roots, Chabad at RIT fosters a sense of belonging and community on campus. As a former student athlete on the RIT Women’s Tennis Team, Julia shared, “I was involved with a lot of things on campus, but I continued to go [to Chabad] because of the rich community I found there.”

Josh’s time at RIT was marked by his leadership and dedication to the Jewish community at RIT. He met one of his closest friends, Justin Stein, former RIT Chabad student president, during the first Shabbat dinner of the semester. He would later become Josh’s best man at their wedding.

Josh oversaw the RIT Hillel kitchen in Residence Hall B before Loaded Latke was an option for students and worked tirelessly to provide kosher meals every Friday. He also participated as an active member of Chabad for two years before the assistant director of spirituality and religious life contacted him to ask if he would consider reviving Hillel. Hillel was losing members quickly and would soon dissolve their chapter at RIT.

Josh stepped into the role as student president of Hillel, taking the organization from zero to a dozen consistent members. Hillel at RIT now brings in over 50 students who are active participants.

Josh and Julia Haber with wedding guests from RIT

A Kosher Wedding Rooted in a Greater Story

Julia and Josh attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Loaded Latke in September of 2024. Loaded Latke is RIT’s kosher-certified deli under the supervision of STAR-K Kosher Certification, serving traditional hand-crafted sandwiches, house-made bagel chips, matzo ball soup, potato salad, and of course – crispy latkes.

At the ceremony, they spoke to the executive director of RIT Dining, Don LaFlam, to ask if Loaded Latke would cater their upcoming wedding “I knew right away we had to make this work for them,” LaFlam shared, “so I connected them to our amazing Loaded Latke team and Autumn Geer, director of event operations for catering and concessions.”

For Josh and Julia, having kosher food at their wedding was more than just a dietary or religious choice—it was a tribute to their heritage and a promise kept to Josh’s grandmother, a Holocaust survivor who vowed never to let anyone take away her Jewish identity. Every aspect of the food and drink was meticulously planned with the help of Autumn Geer, Denise Newman, general manager of Loaded Latke, Alexandra Burgio, assistant manager of Loaded Latke, and the entire Loaded Latke and STAR-K culinary team, to adhere to kosher standards.

The couple was effusive in their praise for Loaded Latke’s catering. Josh fondly recalled a guest asking, "How did you bring all this food from Brooklyn and keep it so fresh?" Julia proudly added, "The Loaded Latke team really does provide an authentic NYC deli right in the middle of Rochester." The brisket and latkes with homemade applesauce were particular favorites, embodying the comfort and tradition of Jewish cuisine.

A Legacy Being Remembered and Built

Reflecting on their wedding and journey, Josh shared, "There are two ways to make a difference – with a dollar sign, or the impact you leave on the community -- when you leave a place better than when you found it. I'd like to think we did the latter. Our story is the story of community and the impact it can make."

The wedding was a celebration of their love and the vibrant Jewish community that had supported them throughout their time at RIT and beyond. In fact, it was Rabbi Yossi who officiated the ceremony. Josh summed it up best: "I appreciate the evolution that Jewish life at RIT has gone through -- it's a place where all are welcome no matter where you are on the spectrum. You can be Jewish or Jew-ish."

Josh and Julia’s wedding was more than just an event; it was a culmination of their shared journey, a journey rooted in tradition, strengthened by community, and celebrated with the flavors of home. As they embark on this new chapter, they carry with them the love, support, and memories of a community that will forever hold a special place in their hearts.

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