Hundreds of Israelis from the New York metropolitan area and beyond participated in a beautiful, first ever Israeli Shabbaton in New Jersey last weekend.
The beautiful Shabbaton was hosted by Chabad Israel Center under the leadership of Rabbi Shneur Zalmen Haddad in partnership with Tzach – Lubavitch Youth Organization and Chabad for Israelis Abroad.
The prestigious weekend that took place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Fairfield, NJ from Friday to Sunday included gourmet meals, a children’s camp and lectures by top lecturers: Rabbi Shneur Ashkenazi, the journalists Amit Segal (News 12) Neria Krauss (News 13), the Spokesperson and Consul for Media Affairs at the Israeli Consulate in New York – Mr. Itay Milner, CEO of Jewish Federation in Rockland County, New York Mr. Ari Rosenblum and the American Israeli businesswoman Mrs. Chagit Leviev.
The highlight of the Shabbaton was a live performance of Israeli singer Gad Elbaz who was accompanied by 22 IDF orphans who came on a special journey from Israel to the USA as part of the Sons of Heroes Project sponsored by Keren Menachem – Chamah led by Rabbi Beri Spitezky, who helped organize this Shabbaton.
In preparation for Shabbat, the women were led by the Shluchot, Mrs Hodaya Haddad and Mrs. Naomi Gershovitz in a communal Challah Bake for the merit of all of hostages held in captivity.
The Shabbaton concluded with a lecture by commentator Amit Segal and a panel on Israel-US relations, the Israeli community in the US, and ways to deepen Jewish identity among the next generation.
The panel was moderated by Rabbi Dudi Farkash with the participation of Amit Segal (News 12) Neria Krauss (News 13), Consul of Israel in New York Mr. Itay Milner, Chairman of the Jewish Federation in Rockland County, New York Mr. Ari Rosenblum and The American Israeli business woman Mrs. Chagit Leviev.
The organizers of the Shabbaton give a special thanks to our partners in organizing the most successful Shabbaton: Lubavitch Youth Organization New York, and its program director, Rabbi Kasriel Kastel. Special thanks to the Rebbe’s shliach in Tenafly and member of the Shabbaton planning committee Rabbi Yitzchok Gershovitz and to the Rebbe’s Shluchim from throughout the New York area Rabbi Levi Weber – Philadelphia, PA, Rabbi Shlomo Baitsh – Rockville, MD and Rabbi Yoseph Glukowsky – Closter, NJ who participated in the Shabbaton with members of their respective communities.
Special gratitude to the Shabbaton producer, Mrs. Nechama Peles (NP Production)and to MP Caterers for their part in the Shabbaton’s success.
So needed!!