Over 1,200 Russian-speaking Jews will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stamford, CT to be inspired, educated and entertained at the Annual National Russian Shabbaton on March 9 thru 11th, 2018 (22-24 Adar 5778).
The Shabbaton hotline is fully engaged, and registration is filling up quickly for what has become the largest event of its kind for Russian-speaking Jewry in North America. Participants come from seven countries and forty communities from across the United States and Canada. Great attention is paid to every detail to ensure the success of the Shabbaton, evidenced by the overwhelming number of guests who are excited to return year after year.
The Shabbaton provides an unparalleled opportunity for kiruv, with 1,200 Yidden from all levels of observance being engaged and inspired for two full days. The Shabbaton is a joint project of Lubavitch Youth Organization, Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, Program Director, and Rabbi Chaim Meir Lieberman, Member Board of Directors, LYO, and Chamah International, under the leadership of Rabbis Hillel Zaltzman, Moshiach Chudaitov and Binyomin Malachovski, with participation of many dozens of shluchim.
The event unites Jews from all stages of observance. For many, the Shabbaton is the first time experiencing an authentic Shabbos and learning about their rich heritage.
“This is an event that is changing lives,” said Shabbaton Director Rabbi Benzion Laskin, “We are constantly hearing from participants who were inspired to join their local Chabad House, keep Shabbos, or send their children to Jewish schools—all because of the strong connection to Yiddishkeit that was forged at the Shabbaton. Each year several couples who met at the Shabbaton are happily married.”
The organizers make every effort to reach out to as many Yidden as possible. It is indeed an opportunity to encourage all Russian speaking Jews—in fact, all Jews—to be part of a most intense learning experience, and bonding with their brethren in a warm, congenial atmosphere.
Over 70 inspiring and educational sessions in both English and Russian—as many as six running simultaneously—and 40 stimulating workshops inspire and educate.
Steeply discounted prices are available for students. In fact, all prices are subsidized by LYO and Chamah to make the Shabbaton accessible to all those who would benefit spiritually. There will be two separate singles programs to afford singles the opportunity to meet their bashert. This year alone three couples who had met at last year’s Shabbaton were married. Expert Shaddchanit Chana Raksin of will be available to meet one-on-one with Shabbaton participants.
The guests relax and rejuvenate in luxury accommodations, are wined and dined with eight gourmet meals, royally entertained by Gad Elbaz, Israeli superstar in concert with the five-star Rambam Orchestra; Zlata Radzdolina, award-winning Israeli composer and singer has the women singing and dancing; and Amir Lustig, award-winning mentalist and magician.
This year’s lineup of prominent lecturers include Keynote Speaker, David Weiss, Emmy-nominee Hollywood Screenwriter turned Ba’al Tshuva, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Russian-born Av Beis Din, Sydney, Australia and internationally recognized expert on a broad range of contemporary halachic issues, Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, renowned author, licensed marriage, family and parenting therapist, Rabbi Lazer Gurkow, Rav of Congregation Beis Tfila, London, Ontario, prolific author, lecturer on Chassidus and psychology, Chana Weisberg, popular author, inspirational speaker and editor of thejewishwoman.org; Rabbi Boruch Gorin, Editor-in-chief of Krinizhniki Publishers, founder and publisher of L’Chaim Magazine, and spokesman for FJC; Rabbi Dovid Karpov, renowned mentor and lecturer, Rav of Chamah Moscow, and Congregation Darkei Shalom, Moscow, Rabbi Daniel Bulochnik, revered mashpia of the Russian Jewish Community of Haifa, Rabbi Yanki Tauber, acclaimed author and Senior Editor at JLI, Alexander Poltorak, PHD, theoretical physicist, professor and author; Tzameret Borevitz, lecturer and teacher of Kabbalistic and Chassidic Philosophy.
For the full line-up of this year’s faculty, including prominent Shluchim, Rabbanim, Journalists and Community Leaders, click here.
Over thirty counselors run fun-filled, educational programs to engage the teens, and the full day camp keeps the 300 children happily occupied, freeing their parents to participate in the program worry-free, and to get the most out of the Shabbaton. Experienced babysitters entertain and care for the little ones. The amazing children’s program is very ably organized by veteran educator Chanie Zaltzman.
The Shabbaton has proven to be a valuable tool for shluchim. Chabad houses from 40 communities are represented. Shluchim from as far as Canada, Europe, Russia and the Ukraine bring their mekuravim year after year.
Registration takes place at russianshabbaton.com or by calling 646-565-3735.
The best testimonial to the success of the Shabbaton is the most-oft remark heard from the guests: “When is next year’s Shabbaton? Make sure to let me know!”
Rabbi Laskin works incredible hard for this shabbaton to happen! may the Rebbe continue to give you strength to keep up your amazing shlichus!!
my family looks forward to the shabbaton every year! the staff is incredible, the lectures are informative and interesting, and the whole program i sbeautiful, inspiring, and fun!
Rabbi Ulman Av Beis Din is a genius and is recognized worldwide as an expert on many contemporary halachic issues, His Ahavas Yisroel knows no limits taking extra effort Innovation and creativity innovation and creativity to help a fellow Yid get the best outcome within the boundaries of Halacha.
My family waits all year to go to the Shabbaton. The lectures, program, Motzei Shabbos, children’s program are top quality. We are all one family at the Shabbaton!! Thank you to the organizers