Over a thousand children and parents from more than twenty-five countries spent Shabbos together in Crown Heights this weekend as part of the CKids Shabbaton and JewQ Championships, the world’s largest gathering of Jewish families.
“Shabbos is the heart of the weekend,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of Merkos 302’s CKids International. “These children come from cities where they might be the only Jewish kid in their class, and suddenly they’re surrounded by hundreds of kids just like them, celebrating Shabbos like one big family.”
Throughout Shabbos, children took part in spirited davening, lively meals, workshops, and activities alongside kids from communities as far apart as Buenos Aires and Melbourne. Parents had their own full track of classes and speakers, including sessions with Rabbi Efraim Mintz, Rabbi Shais Taub, Rabbi Mordechai Dinerman, David Nesenoff, and Ari Lesser.
For Aaron and Ilyana Meyers, from Oceanside, NY, this is their fourth Shabbaton. Their sons Jacob and Gabriel are both multiple-time JewQ champions, and daughter Sabrina is attending for the last time as a junior. “It feels like I’m spending time with my big family,” Sabrina said, before spotting a friend across the room and running over to say hi.
On Motzei Shabbos, families came together for Havdalah and a concert with singer Eli Marcus. Children and parents from around the world sang and danced together with great energy and immense Jewish pride. After the concert, children headed out for late-night trips to Urban Air, Beat the Bomb, and Ferox Ninja Park before the final stretch of the weekend, with Sunday’s JewQ International Championship still ahead.
“Jewish identity is something that has to be felt more than understood, and enjoyed,” Aaron said. “For my family, the Shabbaton isn’t just about pride in knowing Jewish information, but about truly enjoying the experience of being a part of the Jewish people.”
