1000 Students Unite for Shabbat

Photos: Bob Hartnett, All Pro USA

Shabbat 1000, a Sabbath meal for 1,000 students, faculty, administrators, and alumni from 10 Pittsburgh-area universities, made history at Carnegie Mellon’s Wiegand Gymnasium on Friday, March 24.

By no coincidence, this epic event was held the week of the reading of the Torah portion of Vayakhel which states: “For six days work may be done, but the seventh day should be holy for you, a day of complete rest to G-d.”

After months of preparation, organization, fundraising (for the over $30,000 budget of the program) and engaging students, Campus Chabad leaders agreed on one thing: every Pittsburgh-area university were included, and all of the Jewish-affiliated campus organizations including Hillel and fraternities and sororities were invited to join us. When CMU President Subra Suresh heard Rabbi Shlomo Silverman, Director of Chabad of CMU, explain that Jews refrain from using electronics for 24 hours on the Sabbath, the President decided to turn off his own cell phone during the meal in order to appreciate the sanctity of the moment.

The program before dinner was brief but meaningful. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Mayor William Peduto addressed the crowd, praising the accomplishments of students and staff in coming together in unity. CMU President Subra Suresh welcomed everyone with a warm greeting of “Shabbat Shalom”! Master of Ceremonies Dr. Yaakov Guterson honored the many elected officials and dignitaries in attendance, announced each attending university (with the student participants cheering for their school), and the introduction culminated with an unforgettable moment when Dr. Guterson removed his jacket to reveal the official Tartan garb of CMU’s bagpipe band, a Scottish “Kilt.” Kiddush and Hamotzi blessings were recited by Rabbi Shlomo Silverman, and Hillel director, Dan Marcus.

This special evening was hosted by Chabad House on Campus, Chabad at Pitt, JGrads Pittsburgh, and Chabad of CMU. Co-sponsors were Hillel Jewish University Center, Charles Morris Charitable Trust, Carnegie Mellon University Senate, University of Pittsburgh, Chatham University, Duquesne University and The Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Sara Weinstein, co-director of Chabad House on Campus, expressed appreciation to the many dignitaries and organizations who were involved: “Shabbat1000 was a show of support for Jewish life on campus from the top down!”

Student feedback was overwhelming and positive. Chani Silverman, co-director of Chabad of CMU, observed: “Students had a great time being together in a relaxed and beautiful atmosphere.” Chasi Rothstein, co-director of Chabad at Pitt added that Pitt students could not believe the immensity and beauty of the event, where “all of their Jewish friends came together in one room.” Expressing her gratitude, Shera Nayovich, Pitt Freshman wrote: “I was surprised to walk into a room of friendly faces, so many Jews who I knew and many that I didn’t….it made me feel more comfortable to call myself Jewish.”

A few other highlights of the evening were a Grad student exclusive wine bar hosted before the dinner. JGrads Director Shoshana Hoexter commented: “Grad students appreciated this chance to relax, meet other grads from various schools and departments, and be a part of the greater campus community.”

Another special moment was the celebration of Chabad at Pitt Rabbi Shmuli Rothstein’s birthday. Students organized a birthday card, presented a cake, and about 200 Pitt students sang “Happy Birthday!”

The list of dignitaries attending included State Representative, Dan Frankel, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Mayor William Peduto, City Councilmen Dan Gilman and Corey O’Connor, in addition to University top administrators and community leaders: CMU President Subra Suresh, Duquesne President Kenneth Gormley, Chatham President David Finegold, Pitt Dean of Student Affairs, Kenyon Bonner, Robert Morris University First Lady, Barbara Howard, Head Chabad Emissary of Western Pennsylvania, Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, UJF President, Jeff Finkelstein, and Hillel Director, Dan Marcus.