A Very “Shabbaba” Weekend in Wisconsin

On the weekend of October 24th-25th, CHUSY and the Chicago Jewish Educators Assembly (JEA) collaborated to host the annual ShabbabaFest, a weekend retreat for 5th-7th graders at the Daniel M. Soref Education and Retreat Center in Wisconsin. The word “Shabbaba” is a mix of the Hebrew word for cool, Sababa, and Shabbat. Thanks to grants from three different sources, CHUSY was able to make the program more accessible and offer an incredible Shabbaton to nearly 50 participants. The CHUSY region received a total of $13,500 from JUF Springboard, JEA, and the Michael Hoffman Fund combined, and put it right back into the community.

This year’s theme was Middot (personal values), focusing on Chesed, Kavod, Tzedek, Shalom Bayit, and Kehillah. Kids earned stickers, Sha-smiles, that were color-coded to each value for exhibiting that value throughout the weekend. The students were then able to barter with their Sha-smiles for Sha-prizes at the shuk at the end of the weekend. On Friday, programs included middot human bingo, building a spaghetti tower out of marshmallows as a team, putting a puzzle of the kotel together, and matching middot with real-life examples. Saturday, students put the middot into action by voting which organization to raise money for, reading a poem called Smile about how small actions can go a long way, and sharing an action they will perform throughout the weekend, such as helping clean after meals or helping a friend pack. 

The event’s success can be attributed to the amazing leadership of the team of Madrichim: eight 8th-12th graders and two shinshinim (young Israeli ambassadors) that staffed and led the programming throughout the weekend. The teens played a central role in making ShabbabaFest a success. They facilitated and led every program, guided transitions with scripted announcements, sat with participants during meals to build meaningful relationships, and made sure all the kids had fun throughout the weekend. CHUSY Vice President of SATO (Social Action Tikkun Olam), Shayna Kamm, led an amazing program packing care bags for Sharsheret, a Jewish organization that supports women with breast or ovarian cancer. We also had a fantastic group of Education Directors, Youth Professionals, and USY Staff who made the event meaningful and impactful. 

CHUSY’s Israel Engagement Specialist, Max Pivo, led two dynamic Israel programs. This was Max’s first Shabbaton since starting. One program was focused on Shabbat in Israel, where students shared how they mark time in their lives. Participants then played a “wax museum” game, where they acted out Shabbat scenes in Israel with a museum guide sharing what the “sculptures” represented and how they help mark time. The conversation ended with how we can make Shabbat special even for those who aren’t shomer Shabbat. 

Saturday’s Israel activity focused on connecting Simchat Torah, the dancing at Nova Festival on October 7th, and current events in Israel. Max shared, “Dance is a form of Jewish expression, in Israel and the world over. And, when you think about it, dance is all about movement.” After having students stand in a circle and share a movement while saying their name and having the rest of the group repeat it, Max discussed the following with the 5th-7th graders. 

The excerpt traditionally read at the conclusion of Simhat Torah (from parsha V’Zot HaBerachah) includes the farewell blessing of Moses for the 12 Tribes and concludes with the death of Moses.

• What does it mean for a people, for a nation, to reunite with some, but not all of its members after more than two years apart?
• What can we learn from Moses’ example, sending B’nai Yisrael off into the Promised Land without jealousy or contempt?
• What can we learn from B’nai Yisrael’s example, moving into a new age of history after October 7th and the war that has followed?
  
  

Max concluded with this question, “What role does movement play in your lives now? What new meaning could be suffused if you approached movement with a higher degree of intentionality?”

Education Directors Brian Serle, Charlie Sherman, and David Schwartz worked together to lead deep conversations and engaging services. The event culminated with a game show hosted by Personalities DJ company that quizzed the participants and staff on general trivia and their knowledge of Middot. Participants returned home reflecting on their personal values and relationship to Israel after a fulfilling weekend with new and old friends.

We give thanks to our multiple synagogue partners, including Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Beth Hillel B’nai Emunah, Moriah Congregation, Congregation Beth Judea, Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, and West Suburban Temple Har Zion, for collaborating on this tremendous Shabbaton.