For the first time, 112 parents and children from Eastern Ukraine came together to share the joy of Shabbat with other Jewish families as newcomers of regional JCC programs.

Learning about Jewish traditions and celebrating Shabbat was the main theme of the weekend. Within several hours of their arrival they found themselves participating in exciting Jewish activities, and instantly felt a part of the global Jewish family.

Everyone took Shabbat preparations very seriously: for most of the families it was an introduction to Jewish life, and for some, their first Jewish experience. Friday morning was dedicated to discussing the Jewish way of life, symbols of a Jewish home, learning about Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Jewish Wedding traditions, Kashrut and Shabbath customs and traditions. The day then continued with preparations for the main evening events of singing Shabbat songs and learning Jewish dances.

Long awaited by everyone, Shabbat came to the Shabbaton participants with a beautiful candle lighting ceremony, conducted by most of the women for the first time in their life. There were prayers, songs, Jewish parables and stories staged by the children. Many special guests and leaders of JCC family programs from various regions in the Ukraine shared their Jewish experiences and stories with all the participants.

Shabbat became an unforgettable mixture of serious historical and philosophical talks (Torah and the Temples, Rambam, Hertzel, and the Holocaust), free time, personal interaction and entertainment. The celebration ended with a special Havdallah ceremony.

By the end of the Shabbaton, all the participants had bonded through this common Jewish experience and made plans to meet again in the near future and to continue to learn and share their newly found Jewish traditions.