For the past eleven years, the Annual National Russian Shabbaton has been the largest of its kind in the US. 1,200 men, women and children enjoy an inspiring, relaxing yet action packed weekend with their friends and family.
But when the time rolled around for this year’s Shabbaton, the leadership of Lubavitch Youth Organization and Chamah International, sponsors of the event, reluctantly resorted to plan B: A Virtual Shabbaton on Sunday from 6 am to 12 midnight.
And then the miracle happened: The usual restraints of distance, finances and logistics disappeared as Rabbi Benzion Laskin, Shabbaton Director and Program Director of Chamah, single-handedly assembled and hosted an 18 hour marathon of inspiration and unity. 2,500 adults from around the globe participated via Zoom in fifty lectures and interactive discussions by an impressive lineup of internationally renowned Rabbis, lecturers, community leaders and shadchanim. For the first time the Shabbaton was accessible to many who had long wished to attend, but had been unable to do so. Thousands more viewed the recorded event, resulting in even greater impact and in many enthusiastic comments.
The event was dedicated to the loving memory of Rabbi Chaim Meir Lieberman, obm, one of the heads of LYO who, together with Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, yibadel l’chaim tovim aruchuchim, was a major inspiration behind the Shabbatinim.
Some of the highlights were: A discussion with Nathan Scharansky, the famous refusenik, the symbol of Let my People Go, who fasted a hundred days in prison to get back his confiscated Tehilim. One of the facinating stories he related was lighting the Chanukah menorah in the office of the commander of the prison camp in the Russian Gulag.
A fiery speech delivered by Rabbi Berel Lazar Chief Rabbi of Russia, focusing on the great need for unity among Yidden, followed by an interactive Q &A session, tackling difficult questions such as, “How can I know what my life’s mission is?”, “How can I transform my life?”
The participants were inspired by Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, Program Director of LYO, who encouraged them to the receiving Torah anew every day, how the Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated to do Shabbotonim, and of the great z’chus of working alongside Rabbi Meir Lieberman for many years, who was a great advocate of the Shabbaton.
Another of the highlights was a panel discussion with the Presidium of Chamah International, all former activists in the Russian Jewish underground: Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman, President, Rabbi Moshiach Chudaitov, Executive Vice President, and Rabbi Binyomin Malachovski, Executive Director, who described their mesiras nefesh to live a Torah life and transmit it to the next generation, and the guidance and chizuk they received from the Rebbe, who signed his letters, “Grandfather”, to bypass the KGB censors. These experiences and many more are recorded in Rabbi Zaltzman’s best-selling book, Samarkand.
World-renowned author, counselor, lecturer and philosopher, Rabbi Manis Friedman spoke movingly on the topic, “Healing the Past, Healing the Future: Improving Tomorrow by Understanding Yesterday.”
His amazing journey to Torah and Shabbat observance, shared by Mark Ginsburg, highly successful entrepreneur, Vice President of a football club, who told how his life was transformed by undergoing bris mila in adulthood.
Rabbi Yitzchok Kogan, Rabbi of Bolshaya Bronnaya synagogue in Moscow, shared fascinating stories of the Rebbe’s caring for each individual Yid behind the iron curtain, and the Rebbe’s instruction to him to give Birchas Kohanim to his congregants every Shabbat. Indeed, he concluded his talk with giving Birchas Kohanim to all the Shabbaton participants.
Dudu Fisher, world famous opera singer and Broadway star of Les Misérables, mesmerized the crown with his incredible performance, and related how, with the Rebbe’s horahah and brachah he managed to be the first Broadway actor not to work on Shabbos.
Dr. Esther Wojcicki, world renowned educator, author of best-seller, “How to Raise Successful People”, which has been translated into forty languages, mesmerized the audience with her advice about educating the young.
A mesmerizing speech by Eduard Shifrin, Russian entrepreneur, author of best-selling book From infinity to man; Kabbalah, Information Theory and Quantum Physics, explaining the link between Torah, Kaballah and science.
Conversation with former ambassador from Israel to Russia Dorit Golender, who told of the precarious situation in Israel, the incredible work of Chabad in Russia and around the world, and the importance of Jewish identity.
An interactive panel of successful Russian speaking shadchanim from Israel, Russia and the US, moderated by Sara Rodkin, was joined by three hundred singles of all ages for a Q & A session to help them find their other half.
For the first time ever, renowned Russian singing sensation, Mikhail Turetsky performed his new song about Jerusalem and Israel, composed by Zlata Radsolina, famous Israeli singer and composer. He spoke movingly about his Jewish roots and his connection to Jewish music. Since the premier at the Shabbaton, the song has hundreds of thousands of views.
The audience was treated to hear famous Israeli violinist, Sanya Kroitor and jazz pianist, Gregory Rosenfeld, as well as hilarious Israeli and Russian comedians.
Shluchim and Shluchot from around the world shared their stories of struggles and triumph.
The organizers of the event wish to thank Mitch Benerofe, Chamah International co-chairman for his tireless support, and Rabbi Menachem Chuzhin, Chamah Controller, and Rabbi Berri Spitezki, Director of Development, for their invaluable help.
The great success of the Shabbaton was evidenced by the exciting comments the organizers received: “I joined to hear one speaker in the morning, and stayed all day…”
“I felt so united with thousands of Jews, like never before, I always wanted to attend a Shabbaton, and now I finally had the opportunity! I’m definitely coming to the next one!”
“It was truly transformative…”
“I don’t often have the opportunity to go to Jewish events, and hear such inspiring stories…”