The National Russian-Speaking Shabbaton is Back

Registration is open for the National Shabbaton, the largest event for the Russian-speaking Jewish Community in the US, which will be held at the newly renovated Mountain Laurel Resort in the beautiful Poconos.

Registration is open for the National Shabbaton, back in person after two years of remote Shabbatonin. It’s the largest event for the Russian-speaking Jewish Community in the US—and it’s just around the corner.  

An entire weekend of mega-Hakhel celebrations will be held 13-15 Sivan 5783, the weekend of June 2nd through June 4th, 2023 at the newly renovated Mountain Laurel Resort in the beautiful Poconos, PA.

For the first time ever Shabbaton guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors with kayaking, outdoor tennis courts, on-site nature trail, mini golf, a fully equipped fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding, archery and more, all on the hotel grounds.

This year guests have the unique opportunity of enjoying a long summer weekend in the mountains with the option of arriving Thursday evening and leaving Monday morning.

The Shabbaton brings together many hundreds of Russian-speaking Jews from around the world, celebrating an authentic Shabbos with their fellow yidden—anashim, nashim v’taf, k’ish echad b’lev echod and learning about their rich Jewish heritage, many for the very first time.

As per the Rebbe’s directive, the organizers make every effort to reach out to Yidden who are not yet frum. 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 to bond with fellow Yidden in a warm, congenial atmosphere. Lifelong friendships are forged at the Shabbaton.     

An incredible array of programming includes 70 lectures from world-renowned scholars, Rabbonim and lay leaders—there is something for everyone at this year’s Shabbaton. But it’s not all serious scholarship—Shabbaton also boasts performances by world-class musicians that is sure to delight and inspire attendees, and even a comedy show. This year guests have the option of extending their stay by arriving on Thursday evening and leaving Monday morning.

The lineup of renowned lecturers includes Rabbi YY Jacobson, the most sought-after communicator and Torah scholar; Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Head of Rabbinical Court of Sydney, Australia; Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie, Director of Chabad of Yorba Linda, CA; Miriam Lipskier, Co-Director of Chabad Student Center at Emory University, Atlanta GA; and Rabbi Baruch Gorin, Spokesman for FJC. Entertainment includes world-class musicians Zlata Radzolina and Rivka Miriam Fisher and Singer Shlomo Nizin. Plus many more. Click here for the full line-up of this year’s faculty. 

The National Russian Shabbaton is a joint project of Lubavitch Youth Organization, Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, Program Director, and Chamah International, under the leadership of Rabbis Hillel Zaltzman, Moshiach Chudaitov and Binyomin Malachovski. Director of the Shabbaton and Chamah Progam Director is Rabbi Benzion Laskin.

Many Shluchim have said, “It takes me years to accomplish what the 48 hours of one Shabbaton accomplishes!” Men begin putting on tefillin, women begin lighting Shabbos candles and using the mikvah, public school children enroll in yeshivos, many begin attending shiurim and become more involved in their local Chabad houses. Perhaps most gratifying is that a number of Jewish marriages form from each Shabbaton. 

Perhaps the most important aspect of the Shabbaton is the warmth, excitement, and camaraderie that makes this event so special. And of course, no Shabbaton would be complete without gourmet kosher cuisine with a wide range of delicious meals by renowned Nesher caterers plus a 24-hour tea room. 

The amazing children’s program is very ably run by a veteran educator. Her talented staff run fun-filled, educational programs to engage the teens, and the day camp keeps the two hundred children happily occupied, freeing their parents to participate in the program worry-free and to get the most out of the Shabbaton. Babysitters entertain and care for the little ones. 

Special programs for singles afford them the opportunity to meet their bashert. Expert Shaddchaniot will meet one-on-one to help singles find their soulmates. Each year several couples who met at the Shabbaton are married.

For a limited time till May 1st, they are offering an Early Bird Special: Standard shared room for one adult: $525, all-inclusive. For rates, guests may visit https://russianshabbaton.com/rates-discounts

There are just 40 days left until the Shabbaton. For the past few years people have to be turned away due to lack of space. Register at russianshabbaton.com or by calling the Shabbaton hotline: 646-565-3735