Written by Isa Pierry

On February 7 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, the Jewish Community Circle (JCC) will be hosting its first Shabbat, a weekly holiday that celebrates Saturday as the Jewish day of rest. Hosted by student leaders Maya Maymin ‘27, Alexandra Steyn ‘27, and Chase Talpins ‘27 and faculty advisors Dr. Levey, Ms. Klarfeld, and Dr. Katz, this Shabbat aims at uniting the RCDS Jewish community together through a celebration of culture. Maymin is most looking forward to “having everyone come together and just connect.”

Starting in 2024, the JCC has established itself as a space for Jewish students and faculty members to support each other while combating antisemitism and spreading Jewish culture by being a place to come together. To do so, the group aims to raise awareness, both inside the group and to the broader school community, about traditions and values that ring true in Judaism. Much of these discussions manifest into thoughtful slideshows at community meetings discussing Jewish American Heritage Month, October 7, or the High Holidays.  

Originally planned to be an activity during last year’s Jewish American Heritage Month, this year’s Shabbat is inspired by similar events hosted at nearby schools, such as Hackley. The event will initially occur in the Cohen Center before moving into the Cafeteria. In the first hour of the event at the Cohen Center, JCC members will receive a tour of the Common Circles Exhibit which focuses on Holocaust education. Following the tour, members will congregate in the cafeteria to continue the evening filled with Shabbat traditions and speakers. Before beginning the traditional Shabbat meal JCC has planned, attendees will observe the 3 blessings – candles, wine, challah – before listening to a keynote speaker of the night and other JCC leader speeches. The blessings are traditional for Shabbat and are a special part of the evening to reflect and say thanks. Then, dinner will be served followed by dessert. Some conventional foods for Shabbat include challah, specially braided bread, grape juice, and babka, a sweet loaf. 

Steyn holds Shabbat traditions close to her heart, fondly reflecting on how the cherished memories of family gatherings during these dinners shaped her childhood. She recalled her favorite memories being when “my family recited kiddush or when my sister baked fresh challah.” She emphasized the importance of family in Shabbat as typically the entire family, and sometimes the extended family, gathers together to cook and bake for dinner. 

Anticipating the event, Steyn is most excited “to have the community come together and celebrate with each other; it’s important to share our traditions and values, and I hope that many families show up and share our joy.”

In line with this year’s theme of connection, RCDS’s first-ever Shabbat is shaping out to be a memorable and unifying celebration of shared culture.