Shabbaton hits San Diego State University

San Diego, CA — More than 400 college students are expected to gather at San Diego State’s Chabad House this weekend to rest, relax and celebrate life.

SDSU was selected to host this year’s West Coast “Shabbaton,” an extended Jewish Shabbat festival held once a year.

Shabbat, or Sabbath, is the seventh day of the week and a time to rest, said Chalom Boudjnah, SDSU’s Chabad House rabbi.

“In Jewish homes around the world, families get together every Friday night,” Boudjnah said. “On Saturday, they spend all day together, go the synagogue, participate in Shabbat and have a meal. It’s time to disconnect from the crazy, busy times of the week. It’s time to turn off your cell phone and spend time with family and friends.”

Boudjnah said SDSU hopes to bring a close, family feel to campus with this weekend’s festivities.

Events are scheduled to kick off with a candle-lighting ceremony at 4:50 p.m. on Friday.

“Candle lighting is a symbol in Judaism when we finish our week and begin our next week,” Boudjnah said. “We take the week ahead of us as an opportunity to concentrate on bringing a little bit of light into the world.

”Light spreads everywhere, no matter where you are, and we let it shine into the dark corners of the world. It’s important that we don’t just bring light to the lives of Jewish people, but to the world.“

The candle lighting will be followed by icebreaker group activities, Jewish services and a three-course Shabbat dinner.

Boudjnah said the Chabad House started cooking for the meal on Sunday.

Anthropology senior Matt Weiner said that of all the weekend’s events, he is most looking forward to the Friday night feast.

”Everyone is dressed up really nice, and everyone is really friendly,“ Weiner said. ”We just party really hard and celebrate being Jewish and alive. It is really a very positive experience. Some non-Jewish friends will even come with me.“

Other weekend events include Torah readings, Mincha and Maariv prayers and a beach barbecue on Saturday. The Shabbaton will conclude with a Sunday morning Chabad House brunch and a Super Bowl party in Tijuana.

The experience is meant to bring all cultures together, Boudjnah said.

”It’ll make them get more excited to do more and spread the Chabad message: to be non-judgmental,“ Boudjnah said. ”Hopefully they will open up and rediscover Judaism and their faith.“

To help host the hundreds of students expected to make the trip to San Diego, many Jewish students will be opening their homes up to visitors.

Alpha Epsilon Pi, SDSU’s historically Jewish-fraternity, is planning to host more than 20 Shabbaton guests.

”We’re trying to help the Chabad House out in any way we can,“ said Weiner, who is a member of the fraternity.

Boudjnah said he hopes students will come out to the event and create connections.

”I hope they come out saying they had a great time and that they feel closer to Jewish roots,“ Boudjnah said. ”I hope they take these experiences to their university and be more involved in their own Chabad Houses.”

-All Shabbaton events are free for students. For more information, visit www.jewishstudentlife.org