By COLlive reporter
New York City children are back in school following the students of the Covid-19 pandemic. What the Jewish students of public school missed was the Released Time program.
With that in mind, Released Time got to work and Rabbi Yehoshua Shneur, Rabbi Sadya Engel and Yanky Hecht created a safe and fun Shabbaton for the Jewish Public-School Children.
With this being the first Shabbaton of the year and many parents still scared of Covid, organizers said it was wonderful to have 15 children join.
The Shabbaton was hosted by Chabad of Park Slope led by Rabbi Shimon and Sarah Hecht and the kids slept by the beautiful hospitality suites.
On Friday afternoon, right after the kids finished school, 3 separate vans raced through the streets of New York to individually pick up each child from their home and make it back to Park Slope in time for Shabbos.
The Shabbaton started with a beautiful candle lighting ceremony for the girls and the children had a packed 24-hour schedule where they made new friends, played Shabbos games, had a Shabbos scavenger.
The exciting Shabbos ended with a grand Mesibos Shabbos – with raffles, stories and games.
More than the kids being inspired and enjoying it so much, the Chabad of Park Slope community loved having the kids and spending time with them, organizers said.
One such moment was when Rabbi Hecht quieted the entire shul during Kabbolas Shabbos davening on Friday night. He introduced the Released Time children who lead the congregation in the Shema. One of the members commented that it was the most inspiring Shema he has ever heard in his life.
The Shabbaton ended with a Havdalah ceremony and grand bowling and pizza trip.
As the children were packing their belongings and getting ready to go home, children kept on asking “can I call home to see if I could stay another night and have the Shabbaton for another day?”
Released Time thanked Chaim Piekarsky, Mendy Lezak, Emmanouel Cohen, Aron Goldberg, Schenur Ginsburg and Shmuly Friedfertig for all their efforts. Released Time is already working on the next Shabbaton with plans to make it in Crown Heights.
Go HLA!!! (Mill Basin)
Best bochur in Lubavitch!!!
You are an inspiration to us all! Continuing the work of your grandfather!
Gives me such nachas to see their shinnng happy faces. Hatzlocho rabo for all future shabbatons!