After a COVID-induced hiatus, the annual SimXa Shabbaton is coming back to California, to the delight of its regular attendees, as well as new participants. The heads of SimXa Company, Moshe and Esther Davidoff, are grateful for the opportunity to continue their labor of love – bringing together Russian-speaking and English-speaking Jews in order to learn Torah.
Esther says, “The search to find a venue for this year’s annual SimXa Shabbaton, which will be our 20th since 2001, took immeasurable effort. After visiting and considering many places for several months, we were blessed with a beautiful venue on Hey Teves, the Yom Tov of liberation of the Rebbe’s precious library of sforim.
“This year’s Shabbaton will be held at the conference center on the Brandeis Bardin Campus of the American Jewish University in Simi Valley, California on the last weekend of 2021, which is also the first weekend of 2022 and Shabbos Mevorchim Shvat, the month of the birthday of the trees. These dates give us additional meaning and inspiration for new beginnings after what seems to have been a very long break.”
This year’s keynote speakers are the beloved Rabbi Aryeh Katzin of Brooklyn, NY, founding principal of Sinai Academy, director of RAJE (Russian American Jewish Experience) and publisher of a Russian Jewish newspaper, as well as Russian-speaking Rabbi Israel Zelman of Atlanta, GA, rabbi of congregations Beit Yitzchak and Torah Vedaat and a renowned cantor, singer, and performer, and English-speaking Rabbi Reuven Wolf of Maayon Yisroel, Los Angeles, world renowned inspiring lecturer and expert on Jewish mysticism. The Shabbaton will also feature concerts for women with the popular poetess and performer Katya Kapelnikova.
As always, the Shabbaton offers a fun-filled children’s program. Sarah Kovalsky and Shaina Davidoff, who have conducted the SimXa Shabbaton Kids’ Club activities in the past, are its head counselors this year. Shaina says, “we are looking forward to incorporating new games and activities for all the children this year. Brandeis Bardin campus has so much to offer children. There is a zoo with many farm animals, rock climbing, hiking, and a bonfire site, just to name a few! We are excited to see all the old and new faces and to see how the children have grown over the past two years. We hope to bring a refreshing new start to the program.”
Sarah commented that she is certain that this year’s SimXa Kids’ Club will be meaningful for each child that attends the program. “The schedule is packed with many educational fun-filled activities. We are looking forward to a successful and spiritually uplifting Shabbaton together!”
The Shabbaton, scheduled for December 30th, 2021 – January 2nd, 2022, promises to be a smashing success. Moshe Davidoff says, “After skipping a year due to COVID restrictions in California, we feel very energized to get our special community of friends together. We are looking forward to a truly inspirational event filled with unity, friendship, and ahavas Yisroel!”
Esther adds, “We are delighted to be bringing our group back to this unique picturesque location where we have held some of our early retreats in 2002, 2007, and 2008. Everyone is excited, both the veteran participants and the newcomers. We are looking forward to a great and uplifting event.”
