‘Kehilla 55’ Spends Shabbaton

By COLlive staff

The seed was planted on Yud Tes Kislev, when Thornhill’s new young anash shul, Kehilla 55, celebrated its newly elected board’s inaugural farbrengen; A Shabbaton in New York.

Initially, the idea was to celebrate Yud Shvat with its kindred kehilla, The Shul, in Crown Heights. Eventually it transformed into a well-organized and incredible Shabbaton program at the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens.

The trip began a days earlier with much anticipation as the last minute rides and attendees were finalized. Participants came mainly from Thornhill, Ontario and were joined by expatriate members from Crown Heights and family members from Massachusetts. In all there were over 25 participants.

The group met Friday morning Erev Shabbos Parshas Beha’aloscha in front of 770 for a tour of the Rebbe’s Library and the Frierdiker Rebbe’s apartment. For most it was their first visit and the awe and admiration was evident on their faces.

The early afternoon was spent shopping, perusing the Judaica stores and new publications in Kehos, grabbing some lunch and then heading back to 770. At 3 PM the group entered the Rebbe’s office in 770 to daven Mincha. Once again the awe and wonderment was evident as everyone looked around the room and attempted to take in every detail and nuance. After Mincha, all the participants present posed for a group picture in front of 770.

Rides to the Ohel were arranged for those who had flown in while Nachman Forer, the key organizer of the Shabbaton, Avrumi David, his son Aryeh and Yitzi Cole ran around Crown Heights picking up all kinds of additional farbaisen, freezies, wine and spirits – all key for the long Shabbos ahead.

By 7 in the evening, the participants were in their Shabbos attire and busy writing their PaN’s and preparing to enter the Ohel. The group’s itinerary and participants’ names were read at the Ohel and everyone spent their personal time deep in thought, prayer and introspection. Truly awe-inspiring.

This was followed by some lechaim, herring and an incredible Sicha shiur given by Rabbi Levke Kaplan, the renowned rabbi of The Shul in Crown Heights and our Spiritual Leader for the Shabbos. A short but remarkably inspiring seder niggunim followed. Kabbalos Shabbos was held at the Ohel and Rabbi Kaplan’s chazzonus was both splendid and moving.

The farbrengen began as soon as kidush and ha’motzie were finished and between delicious food, poignant stories, abundant lechaims, down-to-earth hora’as, and transcendental niggunim lasting till 4 in the morning, unbreakable bonds and connections were forged between all the participants that are likely to never be forgotten.

Seder Chassidus began the next morning at 10 led by Rabbi Kaplan who also led the davening and kriyah for the main minyan. Seudas Shabbos quickly transformed into an all-day farbrengen in much the same manner as the night before. Everyone was transported to a higher level of awareness and sensitivity due to the timely relevance of Rabbi Kaplan’s up-lifting words and anecdotes. The inspiration was truly palpable!

Throughout the Shabbos Reb Shmuel Bollen from Massachusetts and brother-in-law to Dovid Ackermann, spent much time farbrenging one-on-one with various members of the group as did Rabbi Fitche Itkin, Mashpia of the Yeshiva in Pittsburg, adding to the dynamism and energy of the whole Shabbos and infusing the participants with inspiration and heart-felt achdus.

Following Mincha the group was transported once again during a stirring seder niggunim that concluded with Maariv and Havdala by the Ohel. Motzie Shabbos, the group traveled to central Queens for a sumptuous Melave Malka in a restaurant where Ackermann inspired all with a moving Ba’al Shemtov story. Many members of the group continued to discuss the awesomeness and inspiration achieved over Shabbos into the wee hours of the morning. Ideas were discussed to share and implement many of the practical lessons learned with those back home and seeds were planted once again for K55’s next awesome Shabbaton!

The group wishes to extend a heart-felt hakaras ha’tov to ;
Rabbi Kaplan for sharing with us a truly memorable, uplifting and awe-inspiring experience, Reb Shmuel Bollen for his insight and sensitivity to many of the participant’s individual needs and challenges, Nachamn Forer for pulling off an amazing and delectable program and the K55 Board – Judah Forer, Mendel Fishman and Dovid Ackermann for making it all happen – Yasherkoiyach!

Kehilla 55’s first annual Shabbaton at the Ohel participants were:

Dovid Ackermann and his sons; Shneur Zalman, Levi and Zellig
Nachman Forer, Judah Forer, Menachem Forer, Sruli Lederman, Raphie Konsker, Mike Recht, Dov Herman, Momo Smukler, Hillel Janowsky, Gali Unger, Josh Lang and his son, Aryeh, Avrumi David and his son, Aryeh, Yitzi Cole, Dovi Wachtel, Shmuel Bollen and his son, Leib, Rabbi Levi Kaplan and his son, Mendel.