Lights. Candles. Shabbaton! This past Shabbat, the Elizabeth/Hillside community gathered together for its inaugural in-shabbaton. Shabbat started out with an uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat by the visiting a cappella group. Everyone then gathered together to eat a wonderful Friday night meal with friends. Tables were situated so that families sat with friends and also a family they did not know, all in keeping with the theme of achdut. Dinner was followed by a beautiful oneg with singing and meaningful divrei Torah given by community youth.

Shabbat day began with the a cappella group leading davening. The entire sanctuary was filled with members and singing voices. A gala kiddush followed Mussaf. After separating for lunch, the community joined together again for Mincha. Each age group enjoyed its own programming: children’s Shabbat party, young women’s shiur, men’s shiur, chavruta learning and a women’s shiur. The community then gathered for a delicious seuda shelishit with inspirational singing and more divrei Torah.

Like all good things, the shabbaton came to a close. With guitar and violin in hand, the a cappella group led a musical Havdala, a beautiful way to end an awesome weekend.

Thank you to Bruriah High School for lending their space to accommodate the entire community. Thank you to the a cappella group who led the community in such wonderful singing. Thank you to Reuven Rahmani for the delicious food. Thank you to the shabbaton committee for all of the hard work, dedication and commitment. Thank you to all of the sponsors who helped enhance the Shabbat with the little things. And last but not least, thank you to the entire Elizabeth/Hillside and Adath Israel community for participating and coming together to create an inspiring Shabbat.