8th National Russian Shabbaton

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Alex Rosenfeld & Alex Gorokhov

The number eight represents transcending limitations; it symbolizes one step above the natural order of things. Add Rosh Chodesh Adar to the equation, when simcha poretzes geder, and it explains the phenomenal success of the 8th National Russian Shabbaton.

Over 1,200 mostly Russian-speaking Jews came together to celebrate the largest gathering of its kind in North America.

Guests came from 40 communities in the U.S. and Canada, and some even from abroad—young and old, families with small children, professionals, community leaders, students, singles, and teens, from a full spectrum of religious observance. Many experienced an authentic Shabbos for the very first time; the Shabbaton lasts three idyllic days, but its impact lasts a lifetime.

The unprecedented large number of guests, the choice of 70 inspiring and informative lectures, the sensational entertainment, the abundant gourmet cuisine, the beauty of an authentic Shabbos celebration, the luxurious accommodations, the feeling of achdus that permeated the large crowd—surpassed all expectations.

From the lavish welcome buffet lunch on Friday thru the farewell meal Sunday afternoon, it was one joyous celebration. The lectures by some of the greatest Torah scholars in the Jewish community, rabbis, doctors, and professors, were delivered both in Russian and English on a broad range of topics, at times six sessions running simultaneously.

This herculean undertaking is joint project of Lubavitch Youth Organization, under the directorship of Program Director, Rabbi Kasriel Kastel and Executive Board Member, Rabbi Chaim Meir Lieberman, and Chamah International: Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman, President, Rabbi Moshiach Chudaitov, Executive Vice President, Rabbi Binyomin Malachovski, Executive Director, Rabbi Benzion Laskin, Program Director, and Rabbi Berri Spitezki, Director of Development.

Many weeks of meticulous planning were evident by the smooth running of the event, headed by Rabbi Laskin, Shabbaton Director, and his hard working Program Committee: Rabbis Velvel Belinsky, Eli Kogan, Baruch Lepkivker, Moshe Chaim Levin and Esther Tauber.

The fun-filled and educational children’s full-day program, which freed the parents to fully participate and enjoy the program, was directed by Rebbetzin Hannah Zaltzman, whose great leadership abilities once again cam to the fore. The head counselor was the talented Chaya Zaltzman, and babysitting services were efficiently headed by Mrs. Sima Vernick.

The nearly impossible feat of the Shabbaton Registration was efficiently tackled by Rochel Lea Yarmack and Chana Sharfstein of the Chamah staff. Rabbi Menachem Chuzhin, Levi Levin and Esther Tauber of the Chamah staff were all deeply involved in the planning and execution of the event.

After the Shabbos Queen was eloquently ushered out, the fun-filled Motzoei Shabbos program began, kicked off by an incredible Jewish Jazz Concert by vivacious and acclaimed Israeli Composer and Singer Zlata Razdolina, live in concert with her talented all-woman band, engaging the audience with her popular songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian and English, as well as Chabad niggunim with her unique jazz interpretation. The beautiful singing of Rebbetzin Shterna Kanelsky touched the audience . Soon, they had the ladies on their feet and jubilantly dancing with the exuberance that did justice to Rosh Chodesh Adar.

The excitement was palpable as the guests filed into the grande ballroom for the highlight of the Shabbaton: the Gala Melave Malka Dinner and Concert.

Alex Mershon, representative of WZO in North American, whose organization generously contributed to the Shabbaton, introduced Sofa Landver, Israeli Minister of Immigration and Absorption, Guest Speaker to the Shabbaton.

Mr. Mershon movingly shared with the audience that he has been director of various Israeli government agencies for the past thirty years, but it first time in his life that he witnessed such incredible event so well run and so impressive in content.

Minister Sofa Landver spoke eloquently about the importance for the Russian community being connected to Israel and to their roots, how impressed she was by this incredible Shabbaton and by the Russian Community in the US. She spoke about her connection to our Rebbe and the profound impact Chabad has around the world.

The keynote address was delivered by Esther Wojcicki, award winning educator and author, who shared her personal story: the mesiras nefesh of her grandfather, who despite all odds succeeded in supplanting his family on American soil, where they lived the American dream, while honoring their grandfather’s wish that they remain steadfast in their Yiddishkeit.

Hilarious stand-up comedian Avi Liberman had the audience laughing until they cried. The sweet voices of the M-Generation Choir of FREE of Brighton Beach, singing their award winning repertoire in English, Russian and Yiddish warmed everyone’s heart.

The crowning glory of the Melave Malka was the state-of-the-art live concert by the latest Israeli singing sensation Tal Vaknin and his band, flown in especially for the Shabbaton, who had the great crowd on their feet in celebration, jumping, singing, and dancing along with him. The lighting and the blue theatrical smoke lent a surreal aura to the great ballroom. For the grande finale cantor Rabbi Berel Zaltzman joined Vaknin on stage and further delighted the guests.

One of the three Shabbaton sessions run by in-house Shadchanin Sara Rodkin dedicated to helping singles find their bashert in a Jewish setting, was held Motzoei Shabbos. Fifty college-age girls from Chabad of Moscow were special guests to the Melave Malka and the singles event.

From the time the candles were lit Erev Shabbos by hundreds of mothers and daughters, through the inspiring, uplifting Havdalah ceremony, when over 1,200 guests gathered in the cavernous lobby of the hotel, it was truly a Shabbaton to remember.

A second report and additional photos will follow.