(The Leffell School) This past weekend, the Leffell School Cross Country team participated in the New York State Section 1 Championship meet in Wappingers Falls, New York—an extraordinary opportunity not only for elite athletic competition but also for upholding the school’s values of Jewish observance and identity. Two Leffell competitors qualified for the state championships in the Class D Boys race, and an additional runner finished in the Top 10 overall for the Class D Girls race.

Competing on Shabbat presents both unique challenges and unique opportunities for a Jewish day school. Since The Leffell School made the decision to participate in a public school league 22 years ago, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has been an outstanding partner in accommodating the school’s practice of not competing on Shabbat or chagim (holidays). Only at the highest levels of post-season competition does such accommodation become unfeasible.

To enable the students to participate in the meet, for the third year, The Leffell School created a Cross Country Sectional Championship shabbaton. They reserved hotel rooms within walking distance of the course, and all members of the Leffell School community who attended the meet—including athletes, family members, and other fans—arrived before Shabbat began. Catered kosher food was arranged for the entire weekend. Together the athletes, parents, coaches and faculty members davened Kabbalat Shabbat, with students leading the service, followed by a beautiful Shabbat dinner which included a birthday celebration for one of the runners, a spirited round of zemirot (Shabbat songs), birkat hamazon (grace after meals), and the singing of “Hatikva,” the Israeli national anthem. On Shabbat morning, the group engaged in joyous tefillah before walking to the race course. All team equipment was delivered to the park, so that the athletes and fans did not need to carry on Shabbat. In support of Israel, the runners each affixed an Israeli flag pin to their uniforms, and hung an Israeli flag from their team’s tent in the waiting area.Following the race, the group walked back to the hotel and concluded Shabbat with Havdala together under the stars. Given the heightened security concerns this year, the school also hired a security guard who stayed with the team at the hotel, and accompanied the group at the race, walking with them between the hotel and the course.

Head of School Dr. Michael Kay noted, “The manner in which we organize this event sends an important signal to our students and to the wider community about the mission and values of our school. We have an exciting, real-life opportunity to celebrate Shabbat joyously as a community and to demonstrate publicly our commitment to Jewish observance, while simultaneously experiencing a classic milestone of the American high-school experience—advanced athletic competition.”