The long awaited Eighth Grade Shabbaton took place last weekend in Hauppauge, Long Island. The weekend began with fun at Skyzone Trampoline Park. The students poured out their energy into jumping, obstacle courses, foam pits, and ninja runs. Back at the hotel, the students received a warm, loud welcome from our high school junior advisers and a surprise barbecue dinner.
Throughout the day on Friday the themes of preparing for Shabbat and unplugging for Shabbat were exhibited in sessions and workshops. Students prepared their own challah, took part in a cholent cook-off, learned to properly set a table, prepared healthy dips, learned to build an eruv, studied the traditions and halachot behind lighting candles, and became familiar with the intricacies of treating medical issues on Shabbat. Later in the day, with students fully prepared, Shabbat was ushered in with passionate singing, dancing, and stories.
The next 25 hours were filled with good food, prayers, singing, games, sessions relating to the meaning of Shabbat, and quality time spent with friends and teachers. The students, and teachers as well, felt the spirit of Shabbat as it permeated every activity of the day. Shabbaton ended Saturday night with a final kumsitz and a video recap of the weekend.
Hakarat Hatov to all the faculty members who joined us with their families to make this Shabbat so meaningful for our 8th graders. And special thanks to our coordinators, Mrs. Lynn Dashiff, Mrs. Ellen Pearlman, Mrs. Dovrat Levi, Rabbi Avram Benhamu, and Mr. Avi Smus for their tireless efforts in bringing this Shabbaton to fruition.