Students from four Israeli universities gathered in the mountain-top city of Safed for a weekend of song and inspiration sponsored by a network of campus-based Chabad Houses in the Holy Land.
Students Follow Mystical Paths Through Israeli City of Safed
Students from four Israeli universities gathered in the mountain-top city of Safed for a weekend of song and inspiration sponsored by a network of campus-based Chabad Houses in the Holy Land.
The annual Chabad on Campus in Israel Shabbaton drew 100 people from Technion University in Haifa, Tel Aviv University, Ariel College and Ben Gurion University in Be’er Sheva. Participants said that what impressed them most was the mystical spirit that suffused the two days they spent in Safed, a hub of traditional Jewish mysticism.
“I had already experienced special Shabbat programs at the campus Chabad House,” said Sharon Cheri, a Tel Aviv business student. “But I had never before felt such an uplifting Shabbat as this. We just cut ourselves off from the world for 48 hours, and felt what it is like to live in holiness.
”Much to our surprise,“ he added, ”it was actually fun!”
Held at Ascent, a Jewish educational center and hostel run by Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries, the Shabbaton began last Thursday night with an exploration of the Chasidic nigun, or melody, that lasted into the early morning hours. Friday morning was spent in prayer, after which the students hiked through the surrounding mountains.
Ruth
Ascent is an AMAZING place!!! Don’t miss it next time you are in Tsfat (also home to Israel’s BEST falafel and homemade halvah!)