Midwest NCSY kicked off the new year with its first-ever JSU Regional Shabbaton on MLK Weekend in Racine, WI. Fifty Jewish public school teens had the chance to experience Jewish life and community like never before.
It would not have been possible without your support.
While the weekend was reminiscent of Midwest NCSY’s longstanding Shabbatons, this Shabbaton was designed for the growing number of Jewish public school students attending NCSY’s Jewish Student Union clubs across the region.
It featured fun activities like snowtubing and a Bull’s game; volunteer opportunities at Chesed Chicago, Hersh’s Fridge, Park Plaza and other local Jewish organizations; and a traditional Shabbat, complete with NCSY-style pre-Shabbat Ruach and Havdalah.
For many participants, the mix of fun, friends, meaning and connection is something they won’t soon forget.
Olivia Hanes (c.) is a junior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis. For Olivia, the highlight of the Shabbaton was the opportunity to volunteer at an array of Chicago-based Jewish organizations.
“It was so incredibly impactful to volunteer around Chicago and meet so many other Jewish teens while doing so,” she says.
Olivia adds that the sense of community that developed over the weekend was something that impacted her deeply.
“It was a truly meaningful weekend, and I think [every Jewish teen] should experience the warmth and love among all of the JSUers, advisors, and staff.”
Jonah Raich (l.) is a junior at Central High School in St. Paul, MN. For Jonah, the most impactful part of the weekend was simply the opportunity to ask questions.
“In the past, I felt embarrassed about not knowing certain things about my religion that I assumed everyone else already knew,” he explains. “But what I learned was that the only way to understand religion is to ask questions.”
And Jonah did just that – asking questions to staff, advisors, and other teens, both during and between the educational sessions, which focused on topics ranging from prayer to Science & Torah to building Jewish identity.
“One of my biggest highlights was being part of the breakout groups [led by the advisors],” Jonah says. “The Q&A sessions were especially meaningful, and I learned a lot from [others’] perspectives.”
Jonah adds that he’d strongly encourage other teens to attend future JSU Shabbatons.
“I would definitely recommend [the JSU Shabbaton] to anyone who wants to meet more Jewish [teens], especially if they ever feel like they’re the only one, or if they want to learn more about Judaism and themselves.”
For Annette Kishinevsky (l.), a freshman at Stevenson High School in Chicago, the JSU Shabbaton was about “connection.”
“I learned the essential value of deeper connection, with my friends and through the acts of chesed,” Annette says.
And while there were “so many” highlights, Annette says she appreciated the “balance of connection and joy.”
“Spending time with friends, meeting new people, snowtubing, the Bulls game, and experiencing Shabbat together created so many memories that were both meaningful and uplifting to me,” Annette says.
Annette adds that the Shabbaton gave her the chance to help others, while building her own Jewish self.
“I left the Shabbaton knowing I had made an impact not only on those around me, but most importantly, on myself.”
Photo credit: JM Productions