4
Rabbis, students and families unite in Lawrence for fifth annual Midwest Shabbaton Conference
> BEN FELDERSTEIN
@Ben_Felderstein
Shabbat is a holy Jewish holiday for reflection and prayer. But that doesn't mean the 2016 Midwest Shabbaton, a weekend conference dedicated to leadership training and personal growth for the Midwest Jewish community, didn't have its share of fun and games, said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, Director of KU Chabad.
"It is great having all of these guests in town," said Jacob Elberg, Naismith's head resident assistant. "As
This is the fifth Shabbaton that the University has hosted, and universities throughout the Midwest, such as Missouri, Southern Illinois and Bradley were represented. Participants checked in at Naismith Hall on Friday, Feb. 26.
a Jewish student, it is amazing to have all of these Jews in my own home."
The Shabbaton participants met Saturday night at Epic Fun Land in Lawrence for a night of laser tag and arcade games. Tiechtel also catered sushi for the event that lasted the remainder of Saturday night. According to Tiechtel and chabad.org, the Chabad House offers a family environment for any and all Jewish students on campus, and acts as a "home away from home."
Joel Gutovitz, a freshman from Overland Park, said the laser tag was his favorite part of the entire Shabbaton. He said that meeting other Chabad participants from around the Midwest was a memorable experience.
"Playing laser tag with the seven rabbis who were giving inspirational speeches over Shabbat showed all of the participants that rabbis, aside from being sources of religion inspiration, can also be fun, funny and cool people to be around," Gutovitz said.
In between laser tag and arcade games, the guests
This is an opportunity where students can get together and see Chabad is larger than just their campus."
Robbi Eli Langsam From Bradley University
participated in serious and enriching activities. In the Jewish culture, Shabbat signifies the Sabbath, or the day of rest that God took
Nearly 150 students, rabbis, and faculty members gathered in a marquee in the backyard of the University's Chabad House, located near 19th and Naismith, to share a special Shabbat dinner. Usually on Friday nights, participants share a meal and light candles on a much smaller scale.
Tiechtel's wife, Nechama Tiechtel, gave an explanation to the group of why the Shabbat candles were lit.
"It signifies the end of mundane Friday and marks the beginning of holy Shabbat," she said.
when creating the universe. Jewish people all over the world light candles, say blessings, and share a meal on the holy day.
Prior to the candle lighting, students and rabbis mingled. Rabbi Eli Langsam from Bradley University took this as an opportunity to wrap tefillin. Tefillin is a small black box that contains scriptures from the Torah that Jewish people wrap around their arm and head to remind them of God's intervention during their exodus from Egypt.
"This is an opportunity where students can get together and see Chabad is larger than just their campus," Langsam said. "Everyone is united as one big family."
The next event was Shabbat services, followed by the dinner under the tent. Services were held in the main room of the Chabad house. During Shabbat services, prayers were said praising God for getting through the week and to the day of rest.
"Friday night was amazing and uplifting," Elberg said. "It was very inspirational to see so many Jews pray and sing to praise
God."
Saturday was filled with more Shabbat services, games and activities, including a panel of rabbis answering questions. Questions ranged from what life is like as a rabbi to general questions regarding Judaism.
On Sunday, participants met for one last time before heading home. A brunch was catered for the morning as a final round of blessings and mingling took place.
"The weekend was filled with unity of so many different college students from so many different schools and backgrounds," Tiechtel said. "It was amazing."
- laited by Madi Schulz
Alex Robinson/KANSAN Kids, parents and students from around the Midwest met in Naismith Hall before the start of Shabbat Friday before sundown.
Alex Robinson/KANSAN
Alex Robinson/KANSAN
Alex Robinson/KANSAN The group of visiting rabbis, families and students walk back to the KU Chabad House to begin the celebration of Shabbat.