Our Shabbat Experience

The students Shabbat experience started several hours before the official beginning. I recall a line up of young men making sure there hair was in place, clothes matched and the cologne was smelling good. I can imagine a comparable situation with the women.

The students attended a pre Shabbat concert by a surfin' rabbi from California, Rabbi Glaser. He played some good Jewish favorites such as David Melech but threw in many goldies from Bob Marley, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones.

The men went to the Western Wall for some singing and dancing. The energy was incredible and we all sang and danced our hearts out. By the end, we were all "ay yayed" out.
The women lit the candles and welcomed in Shabbat from a terrace overlooking the sunset (So I hear, I can't be in two places at once).

Following these festivities it was time for the great feast. We had dinner with a group from Honest Reporting, which is a media watchdog organization. The food was to die for. I could recite the menu for you, but at the end, it would only make you hungry but trust me it was delicious. Two students addressed the groups and delivered emotional speeches which had many of us tearing.

That night we all got together for our own Tisch. We all sang songs and shared stories. Never before have we seen such a group with sense humour displayed that night. It was a whole room full of Jackie Mason's or for those under 30, Adam Sandler.

After lunch and a small third meal, Rabbi Glaser was back with the guitar to give a rocking havdalla service. All in all it was a memorable Shabbat experience.

Feel free to post comments with your thoughts and suggestions and I will be sure to respond to them.