Shabbaton for California Lubavs

A sold out program of 300 men, women and children headed up the picturesque mountains of Running Springs, CA for Young Chevra of Southern California’s 3rd annual Shabbaton.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Jacobson enthralled participants throughout the weekend with many thought provoking lectures, workshops and farbrengens. It culminated in a fascinating Melave Malka address that had his audience captivated until 1am on Motzei Shabbos.

There was a unique sense of achdus and friendship displayed among the young and rapidly growing Lubavitch communities of Southern California.

This was clearly evident when the chairman of Young Chevra’s board, Jonathan Herzog did a roll call of participating communities at the Melave Malka.

Cheers erupted as the participants from Agoura Hills, Long Beach, The Valley, North Hollywood, Lomita, Pico Robertson, La Brea, Redondo Beach and Beverly Hills were announced.

At the Melave Malka, Young Chevra also acknowledged the tremendous efforts of Rabbi Yosef Brod and Yossi Burston who manage the campus at Running Springs. Young Chevra recruited Rabbi Mayer Greene to join the Shabbaton and host a live interactive Jewish version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Rabbi Jacobson participated as the final contestant in a program that ran until 2.30 am.

The Young Chevra Shabbaton also featured Rabbi Mendel Duchman of the Kol Yakov Yeduda Jr Congregation. Rabbi Duchman gave the children a chinuch filled weekend they will never forget, including his famous “Shimon Omer” contest. All the kids were enthusiastically trying to win the “all you can eat at the restaurant of your choice” grand prize.

On Sunday the weekend finished off on a high, as families awoke to the first ever “Young Chevra County Fair” – a fun-filled day of family entertainment and activities followed by a Grand BBQ, with specialty sausages shipped in from Jeff’s Gourmet Sausage Factory.

Young Chevra was established two years ago with the vision and foresight of Rabbi Mendel Shwartz together with the tireless efforts of Yitzy Geisinsky and others who shared a goal of promoting achdus between the younger Lubavitch communities of Southern California.

The Board of Young Chevra has wide representation comprised of members from all the main local Chabad Shuls and regional communities. Earlier this year the group raised and distributed close to $10,000 in Maos Chittim to assist young families in meeting the costly needs of Pesach. Two years ago they also launched a Gemach (free loan fund) for the Young Chevra community which has proven to be very instrumental in helping out the Young Chevra of Southern California.