Weekend of Jewish unity and pride

The 15th Annual International Jewish-Russian Shabbaton Weekend Retreat

• April 11, 2024
• - 3 Nisan 5784

Over one thousand people of all ages, including two hundred children, gathered in a grand show of Jewish unity and pride for the Annual Russian-Jewish Shabbaton Weekend Retreat, sponsored in part by Chamah and the World Zionist Organization, and directed by Rabbi Benzion Laskin. 

The situation in Israel was at the forefront of everyone’s mind, yet there was palpable joy, with the crowd breaking into spontaneous singing and dancing many times, uplifting all the participants. As incongruous as these two emotions are, they flowed seamlessly. Above all, an intense feeling of unity permeated the entire Weekend, uniting the diverse crowd from all walks of life and all levels of Jewish observance, proudly proclaiming not only Am Yisrael Chai, but Am Yisrael Echad (one)! 

It was deeply moving to see families, who for generations were forbidden to live as Jews in the Soviet Union, celebrating their Judaism proudly with their children and grandchildren. Many at the weekend experienced an authentic Shabbat for the very first time.

During the weekend, guests got the opportunity to hear from doctors, rabbis, authors, entrepreneurs and artists. There were lectures, workshops and sessions in English and in Russian. Topics ranged from the Talmud, rabbinical rulings, kabbalah, to parenting, to reconciling science with religion, to rekindling one’s inspiration.  The weekend was filled with music, dancing, soulful Jewish melodies, lots of good food and friendship. A full-day program and babysitting for the little ones allowed the parents to get the most out of the weekend.

One of the the highlights of the weekend was the Grand Melave Malka, the traditional Jewish meal held on Saturday night, after the conclusion of the Shabbat. The term "Melava Malka" literally means "escorting the queen," symbolizing the departure of the Sabbath queen as the new week begins. This meal serves as a way to bid farewell to the sacred atmosphere of Shabbat and to transition back into the weekday routine.

A concert especially for women was held, featuring the renowned composer and entertainer Zlata Razdolina and her Jazz Band and violin by Rivka Miraim Fisher. Itay Milner, Consul for Media Affairs at the NY Consulate of Israel, addressed the crowd, and thanked them for their unwavering support of Israel, and an additional singer and a comedian delighted the entire crowd with much song, dance and laughter. 

Dr. Yair Ansbacher, an Israeli reservist, combat soldier and counter-terrorism expert, addressed the crowd with his powerful, heart rending report of what he and his colleagues found as the first to arrive at Kibutz Nir Oz, near Gaza, and how he and his colleagues fought for eighteen hours straight to liberate the kibbutzim from the hands of the terrorists. He spoke about his agonizing questions to God, and ultimately in finding peace in continuing his life’s mission. 

One of the goals of the Shabbaton is to bring together singles in a Jewish setting with the objective of creating new Jewish homes. Famed Netflix’s star Aleeza Ben Shalom, from Israel and Rabbi Yisrael Bernath, “the Love Rabbi”, led several sessions for the two hundred singles with that goal in mind. Additional matchmakers also met one-on-one with the singles. One week post the weekend, thirty new couples are currently dating! One of the couples that met at the Shabbaton Weekend years ago, come back each year with their children, and they addressed the crowd during the weekend.

The best indication of the overwhelming success of this year’s Shabbaton weekend, was the oft heard question of the guests, “When is next year’s Shabbaton?” ■

Please partner with us in our critical work!

Donate now