Jewish Identity Shabbaton

Our first Diller Shabbaton began a week prior to boarding the bus, at Beth Weizman, on a hot Sunday afternoon. We planned how we would cater to all the different streams of Judaism in our group. Little did we know how challenging and yet ultimately fulfilling this experience would be.

When we finally arrived at Creswick, we were ready to give our all in every program and discussion that would follow. There were 4 main activities within the program;

-       Exploring values as a Jew and Jewish values

-       Discussing today's equivalent of the 10 plagues, such as the suffering in silence (darkness) and the curse of technology, based on the three final plagues which featured in Parashat Hashavua, Parashat Bo

-       Learning about the different streams of Judaism, focusing on the Women of the Wall.

-       “Hour of power” discussions, cantered on Jewish Identity, run by the Fellows.

As a group of 20, coming from different perspectives and backgrounds, it was surprisingly hard to explain your own opinion while being tolerant and accepting of others, when one so strongly disagreed. Complex discussions brought out the root of our opinions, and sometimes it was a hurdle to overcome. It was challenging to grasp how someone's opinion could be so different to yours, and it was not easy for all views to be understood.

Through intense discussions, we grew both individually and as a group as we were forced to not only constantly question other people’s views, but also our own. This truly helped us strengthen and better understand our own views. When it came to running services, we ensured that we were inclusive of all. We also had two services, one traditional and one alternative.

At the same time as being challenging, this Shabbaton was so much fun, filled with unexpected experiences and the discovery of skills we never knew we had. We had no idea how ‘at one with nature’ we would be, showering with all species of spiders, beetles, and bugs, and even a frog. Most memorably, we developed a special bond with a spider, who we named Oqto. In the middle of his 2am funeral service, we unexpectedly saw him alive! We wondered whether he was the true messiah!

Overall, we left the Shabbaton laughing, ecstatic, feeling fulfilled, and inspired.  We have begun a journey of learning how to understand one another and how to handle controversial topics while remaining open minded. We ran our first discussions and developed skills in running games and other group activities. We left the Shabbaton with Oqto’s memory in our hearts, and we are more excited than ever for our next workshop.

-Zoe Singer