Young Shluchim Gather in Washington State Capital for Pacific Northwest Shabbaton

Most people know Olympia, Washington, as the state capital. For over 20 young Shluchim from across the Pacific Northwest, it was the setting for a Shabbos they won’t soon forget.

Boys from the most northwestern states, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada, arrived Friday at Chabad of Olympia for MyShliach’s Pacific Northwest Shabbaton, hosted by Rabbi Yosef Dovid and Rivky Schtroks. The weekend brought together Young Shluchim who are often the only frum boys in their communities for three days of learning, farbrengens, and friendship.

“Every young shliach deserves to feel like he belongs,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “These boys come from cities spread across the entire Pacific Northwest, but when they sit down at the same Shabbos table, with young Shluchim like them, it strengthens them to continue their unique shlichus back home.”

The Shabbaton kicked off Friday with mivtzoim in the state capital, where the boys visited the Washington State Legislature before heading out for a pre-Shabbos outing and slurpees. Then came a long and uplifting Shabbos filled with davening, learning, and farbrengens. The Farbrengen continued on Motzei Shabbos with smores, pizza, and a beautiful bonfire. Sunday continued with a morning learning session followed by a trip to Catapult Adventure Park, and the Shabbaton wrapped with a rally at a local park before MyShliach volunteers drove each boy home.

“Being around other Shluchim who share their way of life is truly special,” said Mrs. Mushka Levitin, Shlucha in Seattle. “We really appreciate all the time and effort that goes into creating these experiences for them.”

Mrs. Chaya Orenstein, Shlucha in Tigard, Oregon, described the impact on her family. “We feel very honored to be part of Shabbos Tzuzamen,” she said. “A time of learning, davening, and really enjoying the title Yaldei Hashluchim.”

For boys who spend most of their week as the only frum kid in the room, a Shabbos surrounded by peers who understand makes all the difference.

Additional Boys and Girls Shabbatons are planned across the US, the Caribbean and Asia. For more info, visit https://www.myshliach.com/shabbatons

The Regional Shabbatons are arranged by MyShliach at Merkos 302 and coordinated by Mendy Hirsch and Moshe Weiss.

The MyShliach Regional Shabbatons have been made possible by the Eisenberg Family
מוקדש על ידי ר’ שמואל אליהו הכהן ויסכה אייזנברג