Shabbat

Shabbat, beginning Friday, August 5, is the culmination of the Summer Institute. The intellectual, creative, and spiritual excitement of the week’s courses, the intense Jewish living experience, and our new and renewed friendships combine to lead to a special, joyful Shabbat. Before Shabbat starts, participants build an eruv (boundary) and make other Shabbat preparations. The entire community gathers to welcome Shabbat with a rousing kabbalat Shabbat and evening service, followed by a festive dinner and opportunities for text study, storytelling, poetry reading, and singing late into the night. A number of different minyanim meet on Saturday morning, including a special Family Shabbat Service, after which the community gathers for lunch, further study and recreational activities, and seudah shelishit (the third Shabbat meal). Shabbat ends on a high note with a beautiful havdalah (end-of-Shabbat ceremony) under the stars.

Can’t join us for the whole week? Have friends or family members who would like to join you for Shabbat? All are welcome to join the Institute community for a beautiful, restful, meaningful Shabbat in the mountains. Weekday classes will be over, but there are a number of special programs planned just for the weekend. Programming on Shabbat will include a variety of Shabbat-friendly options including special workshops, text study, spirited singing, discussion groups, hikes, pick-up sports, a board game bonanza, and more. Shabbat guests should plan to arrive on Friday, August 5, between 1:30 and 3:15pm. Please see the fee schedule for Shabbat-only registration.