Shabbat Dedicated to Bomb Victims

By COLlive Staff

A trailblazing mega event took place at Flavet Field on the University of Florida Campus. 1800 students gathered to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath. Doors open at 5:30pm with the formal program at 6:30pm. This is the first time that UF hosted such a large Jewish event, one of the largest Shabbat events in the country. After the formal speakers the event offered prayers and the traditional lighting of Shabbat candles ceremony, dedicated to the Boston, MA victims and the full recovery of the injured. The event included a full Shabbat dinner for all 1800 in attendance! The program was organized and co-sponsored by the Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student Center, Hillel, Jewish Student Union and Greek groups, ZBT, TEP, DPhiE, among others.

“This is amazing, having that many students gather together in one place for a Shabbat dinner,” explained Ernie Mandowsky, Lubavitch-Chabad Student president, “and a tribute to our student leadership and co-sponsor groups and committees.” “This was a huge undertaking; there are many, many students involved in Shabbat 1800, one of the largest Shabbat in the country,” noted Spencer Greenfeder, a junior, the executive coordinator of this event and vice-president of the Lubavitch-Chabad Student group at UF, “but everybody involved agrees it’s worth all the effort and money to gather so many students together to enjoy their heritage and culture, with their peers.” In addition to mammoth efforts and grit, the program involves huge amounts of food. The event required 750 pounds of beef, 450 pounds of “Challah” bread and 300 bottles of grape juice in addition to the various salads, pasta dishes and traditional kugel (pudding).

“UF boasts one of the largest Jewish student populations in the country and a vibrant and dedicated core of involved students,” said Chanie Goldman, co-director of the Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student Center. “This Shabbat 1800 was an exceptional display of Jewish unity and pride and a real anchor of Jewish tradition and heritage to students from all backgrounds and affiliations.” “We offered special prayers and Shabbat candle lighting ceremony dedicated to the Boston, MA bombing victims and for the full recovery of the injured, it was very heartwarming and inspiring.”

Students brought their friends and acquaintances from dorms, classes, fraternities and sororities, professional groups, sport teams or any other social venue. In addition, a publicity blitz was mounted on campus and many students are were reached in that way. “Imagine being in such a great environment with so many Jews your age celebrating together. The impact is incredible!“ said Ali Lakofsky, another student director of the event.

Shabbat 1000 (1800) was pioneered by Chabad Student Center at Binghamton University in 1996 and is an International Chabad on Campus Initiative.