European Students Join Life-Changing Shabbat in Rome

For the second time, following a long period of impossibility to host large events, the Mehut organization produced the Mehutton, a grand reunion of about 120 students from all over Europe, who celebrated together with their Shluchim the end of another cycle of Shiurim.

Mehut, a kiruv organization operating in Europe that seeks to engage and teach Torah to Jewish students, offers Rabbis a comprehensive program of learning courses and organizes retreats that serve as incentives for the students to actively participate.

They offer the highest quality learning material provided by the Rohr JLI (Jewish Learning Institute) attracting Students and Young Professionals (Aged 18-30) to participate in weekly classes, and eventually join the Grand-Trip, the Mehutton: an extended Shabatton going from Thursday to Sunday, full of fun Tours, Festive meals, Shiurim and Group Games.

This year’s Shabbaton began with a visit to ancient Rome with emotional moments and on-site short classes at the Arch of Titus. They then enjoyed a Gala Dinner with Awards distribution with Rabbi Mendel Springer as the Guest Speaker. Friday they participated in an in-depth tour of the Jewish Ghetto and a live class at the Square of the Burning of the Talmud, followed by a beautiful walking tour at the top destinations in Rome.

After boys and girls enjoyed separate pool time, Shabbos was welcomed by an inspiring Candle lighting, a fabulous Kabbalat Shabbat, and a beautiful Shabbat meal.

Shabbos was filled with a Chassidus class, Aliyos to the Torah were sold by bidding hours of Torah study in the summertime. The afternoon was filled with Farbrengens and group games, that got the students to open up and discuss their thoughts honestly. In the evening a special Session of Pirkei Avot led students to read and explain themselves the Mishnayot, showing them how Torah learning is something accessible for each Jew, at any stage.

Following an inspiring Havdalah, students prepared for a short stroll around the city center and then enjoyed a party with some games in a very warm atmosphere.

Sunday was time to get out of the city and visit some of the nicest towns and lakes in the region.

Students left the Shabatton with dozens of new Jewish friends, an incredible amount of deep inspiration and a strong desire to learn more and influence others to participate in Mehut’s fantastic programs.

The event was hosted in a luxurious Sheraton Hotel, with full Mehadrin meals and high standards of Kashrus, Shmiras Shabbos, Tznius etc. Thanks to the many Shluchim who joined, and the custom-made Study material prepared by the JLI, there were numerous meaningful moments and sessions, all in a warm, Jewish atmosphere.

Mehut Founder and Director, Zalmen Shimon Springer said: “It was so emotional to hear from Students coming from so many different backgrounds how much the Learning Program and the Mehutton impacted them! Thinking of the fact we had almost no events for over a year and a half, it was really touching to see the amount of work and success the Shluchim had achieved in this challenging time, with Zoom Shiurim and so on, Students really changed drastically!”

Shluchim who participated in the Shabatton said:

“With the Shiurim of Mehut and the grand Mehutton, my students open up and become Keilim to hear and learn more, their thirst grew to a new level!” said Rabbi Levi Freedman of Munich, Germany.

Rabbi Levi Hefer (Dusseldorf, Germany): “After so many years in Germany, this is the first time we feel there is an Organization caring and providing us young Shluchim in Europe with a proper structure and incentives, to engage Students with Weekly Shiurim and social events, Shkoyach!”

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Boruch Sabbach (Vienna LBS, Austria): “My Chevreh really enjoyed the Shiurim, especially the one about Happiness. This Mehutton was the best way to finish up a cycle and launch the next one, we are super excited for the next round!”

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Biderman (Vienna Beis Chabad, Austria): “The VIP service the Students and Shluchim received at the Shabatton was above and beyond, we see how much the Shiurim and the Event put the Mehut on a very sought out level!”

Rabbi Michi Pikarsky (Tallinn, Estonia): “It was so vital for my students to meet and see so many Jewish young adults from all over Europe, it gives them strength to keep on sticking to their local Jewish Community although we are very small in number there. The Classes truly changed the approach of many of them.”

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yitzchok Raskin (Bucharest, Romania): “You have no idea how big of a blessing the Mehut Program is! So many students join, week after week, some of them changing by 360° their approach to Judaism! We personally followed two couples who met at the past Mehut event, from different countries, we hope they’ll get engaged soon!”

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Baruch Bard (Marseille, France): “We see how friends pull other Jewish Friends into the Program, they begin to do Mitzvot out of their own initiative and inspire others to follow! We have separate classes for Girls and Boys, and the students are the ones begging us to keep the Shiurim going, looking to grow in the Yiddishkeit!”

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Mendy Lachkar (Paris, France): “Students enjoy the classes so much, we get into deep and long conversations and the fruits of our efforts are in front of our eyes. The Mehutton was so powerful, inspiring and fun, Students are already waiting for the next one!”

Mehut opened Registration for the Next Mehut “Discover” Study Program, if you are a Shliach in Europe looking to join, email us at: Office@mehut.me

Mehut is a Partner of ECJS and it’s made possible by the EJA and the Meromim Foundation.