Shabbaton at Alderbrook Resort

The Third Russian Shabbaton of the Pacific Northwest took place last weekend, under the auspices of Rabbi Yechezkel and Ora Rapoport, co-directors of the Chabad of the Pacific Northwest Russian Program.

More than 100 people from Russian-speaking Jewish communities attended the event.

Featured speakers included Rabbi Naftoli Estulin, Director of the Chabad Russian Immigrant Program in Los Angeles, CA, Rabbi Mordechai Farkash, spiritual leader of East Side Torah Center in Bellevue, WA, Mrs. Miriam Rabin, author and therapist based in Toronto, Canada, and Mr. Rob Jacobs, Regional Director of StandWithUs Northwest.

Rabbi Shimon Emelen presented a hands-on safrus workshop.

Ms. Rocheli Bass led the program for children of all ages.

6 firstborn Jews made the decision to redeem themselves by a cohen right at the event.

The retreat offered participants a weekend of spiritual experience and learning, in a beautiful setting at the Alderbrook Resort, Golf & Spa in Blaine, WA.

“This was a very successful program,” said Rabbi Rapoport. “It was a Hakhel with both Russian speaking Jews and American Jews getting together for a beautiful event, that inspired all. We are especially thankful to Rabbi Estulin who agreed to come on a very short notice. My job now is to take the inspiration provided by reb Naftoli and use it to increase in Torah learning and performance of the mitzvos in our community to speed up a real Hakhel with coming of Moshiach speedily in our day,” he said.