The fourteenth annual Simxa Company Shabbaton will take place this Thanksgiving weekend at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.
Simxa Shabbatons are intended to connect Jews of all walks of life from unaffiliated to fully observant, American, Russian, Bucharian, Persian, Israeli, and provide educational and inspirational lectures to encourage growth in Torah and mitzvos.
The first Simxa Shabbaton, conducted jointly with Bureau of Jewish Education (BJE) took place in 2001 in Laguna Beach and had 63 participants. Over the years, the Shabbatons grew. Last year’s thirteenth “Bar Mitzvah” Shabbaton in Newport Beach drew 340 participants. Most attendees come from the Los Angeles area and San Diego, some come from Northern California, and others fly in from Seattle, Chicago, and the east coast.
Originally, the program included lectures only in Russian for Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants, but has expanded in recent years to include parallel lectures in English for all participants. The Shabbatons became so popular that almost a third of the families that come are non-Russian-speaking. All participants enjoy the lectures and the opportunity to relax and learn in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
For Jews who grew up in the Soviet Union, where religion was considered opium for the masses, the Shabbatons are especially meaningful. The attendees find themselves among hundreds of other Russian Jews who have rejected the atheism they were raised with and who believe in G-d or are at least willing to consider the possibility of His existence. The lecturers, some of them also Russian Jews who discovered Judaism against all odds back in the Soviet times and risked their lives for Torah and mitzvos, share their own stories and inspire the listeners to learn more about the heritage that was denied to them by the Soviet regime.
Many families grow in their observance after attending a Simxa Shabbaton. Some kasher their kitchens. Others enroll their children in Jewish schools. For some, the Shabbaton is an opportunity to connect with a rabbi or rebbetzin and continue their Jewish learning after the Shabbaton. Those taking their first steps in mitzvah observance are able to get advice and encouragement from others who are farther along on their journey. Friendships born at the Shabbaton continue for years ahead, and families support each other as they continue their spiritual growth. Those families that have been observant for years have the opportunity to share what they’ve learned along the way with other fellow Jews, and they find it to be a rewarding experience.
True to its name, SimXa Shabbaton is also a place to celebrate simchos. Over the years, the Shabbatons have hosted a wedding, six Bas Mitzvahs, five Bar Mitzvahs, and numerous birthdays and anniversaries. Also, two shidduchim were made through recent Shabbatons.
Children especially enjoy coming to the Shabbaton and participating in a fun-filled children’s program. In the past, the program has included team sports, games and tournaments, learning the art of scripture, making decorative Havdallah candles, challah baking, pickling cucumbers, moon bounce, petting zoo, surrey biking, magician, bonfire concerts with roasted marshmallows, hike and learn, scavenger hunts, drum roll, the art of Jewelry making, clowns and other characters, birthday parties, swimming, Zumba classes and more.
The upcoming Shabbaton promises to continue the tradition of learning and inspiration in a relaxing environment conducive to growth. The speakers include Rabbi Shimon Grilius, a famous Soviet Era refusnik and founder of the Shvut Ami yeshiva for Russian Jews in Jerusalem, Rabbi Sholom Rodal of Chabad of Mount Olympus who works with many Russian Jews locally, Rabbi Yaakov Ephraim Parisi, a former Christian pastor and a supervising engineer for the Israeli Air Force, Chana Weisberg, a bestselling author and a popular lecturer and educator, and Katya Kapelnikova, an award-winning performing artist, poet and musician. The program also includes live concerts, comedians, dancing, and tours to local attractions.
The Shabbaton offers luxury accommodations, gourmet catering, and baby-sitting which is part of the children’s program.
Simxa Shabbatons are administered by a non-profit organization called Simxa Company, established in year 2000 for the purpose of bringing authentic Jewish law, tradition, and culture to Jews of Russian descent. In addition to Shabbatons, holiday gatherings, and classes, the organization runs a child care facility, called Gan Simxa, for children ages 1½ to 5.
For more info on Simxa Company programs contact [email protected] or go to www.simxa.org.
Mr and Mrs Davidoff are amazing hard working parents of 6children kain ayin hara they are a living example to everyone not only do they plan and direct this whole event but throughout the entire year they are bringing yidin closer tobtorah life. Weather it’s hosting people for a shabbod meal or just going out for some tea to talk they never day no to anyone when asked for there help. In addition they run a childcare for little kids called gan simxa.they are examples for everyone.
I don’t know why it wasn’t mentioned specifically in the article but Mr and Mrs Davidoff are te founders of Simxa Shabbatons and continue to run and organize every annual Shabbaton. A BIG YASHER KOACH TO YOU AND KEEP IT UP!!!
Beautiful! Hatzlocha rabba! Thank you, Rabbi Rodal for all the great work you do with the Russian families and simgles in our community!
go Rodals!!!!!