The most ambitious Shabbaton in the USA and Canada, “Am Israel Chai,” brought together more than 1,200 participants! The Shabbaton director is the famous and very talented Rabbi Benzion Laskin. Shabbaton is organized by the international organization "HAMA", headed by Rabbis Hillel Salzman, Moshiach Hudaytov and Benyomin Molokhovsky, together with the Lubavitcher Youth Organization, headed by Rabbi Kasriel Castel. Shabbaton is held with the support of the World Zionist Organization. It is always an amazingly organized celebration of Jewish solidarity! The 15th international Russian-Jewish Shabbaton has just ended, but many are already looking forward to the next grand Shabbat celebration. More than 70 lectures, 4 concerts by the most famous performers in the music world took place, and a lot of young people also came. Also at the celebration was the famous matchmaker Aliza Ben Shalom, because it is no secret that many find their soul mate at Shabbaton. Many come to listen to lectures on the Torah, Kabbalah, raising children, family relationships, Israel and the current situation in the world, and, of course, everyone is looking forward to the opportunity to personally communicate with famous lecturers, rabbis or to participate in the already traditional and popular discussion table “ Puzzle the Rabbi.” In a word, the lecturers were special, because listening to Manis Friedman, the chief rabbi of the Rabbinical Court of Sydney Yoram Ulman and many others is worth a lot. The director of Shabbaton, the famous and very talented Rabbi Benzion Laskin, has been holding the largest Shabbaton in the USA and Canada for Russian-speaking Jews and not only for the 15th time... And this event, unique in scale and significance, has become the favorite meeting place for thousands of Jews from the most different states of America and Canada. Shabbaton guest, Israeli Army Special Forces Major Yair Ansbacher, who liberated Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, said that the unity of our people is the answer to all our enemies. And although the war continues these days, we must remember that in unity is our strength! On Shabbaton, we cried, remembering the fallen soldiers and civilians, prayed and read psalms, took upon ourselves to fulfill the commandments in the name of saving the hostages and for the sake of the victory of Israel. But still, the main thing we should do today is not to cry, but to rejoice together. Nobel laureate writer Elie Wiesel describes in his memoirs his first meeting with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The key question of the conversation was Auschwitz: “How can you believe in G-d after Auschwitz?” “What do you expect from me?” - asked the Rebbe. And after a few hours, an epiphany came: “I want you to teach me to cry.” “Crying is not enough,” the Rebbe replied. “I’ll teach you to sing.” As Rebbe Lev Katzin noted in one of his articles: “This was the purpose of our Shabbaton this year: how to turn our lament into a joyful song, and our pain into the power of our unity.” It is worth noting that Benzion Laskin’s lectures to the music of Zlata Razdolina, a singer, composer and female leader, are awaited in different countries, and this became possible thanks to the Internet. During the war in Ukraine, they managed to organize assistance to those in need: elderly and sick people received food and medicine. Marina Lagunova Photo by Alex Gorokhov
Date Added: 04/18/2024 |
Last Updated: 04/18/2024 |
Page Views: 257
Silk Road Festival in New York - a triumph of culture and unity For several years now, like many others, I have been looking forward to the Silk Road Festival with particular anticipation. It is organized by a tireless, bright female leader, an outstanding teacher, Alena Badalova, who heads the My Way children's cultural and educational center. This is not just an event - it is a real spiritual holiday that promotes mutual enrichment, spiritual unity and reveals the dazzling palette of cultures of our multinational New York - a beacon of multiculturalism and creativity. The festival reflects the essence of My Way Center's mission - to provide an opportunity for self-expression, creativity, intercultural dialogue - and is a beacon of humanism, respect and cooperation. Despite the serious challenges that preceded the festival, it still took place with triumph. Several months before the event, a building next to the center caught fire, classes were cancelled, and one of the invited groups from California got into a car accident and ended up in the hospital. However, having overcome all the difficulties, the artists took to the stage and amazed the audience with their heartfelt number dedicated to Azerbaijan, causing a storm of applause at the Oceana Theatre. And against all odds, on June 1, 2025, Center My Way organized a grand festival "Silk Road", which became a real ode to the historical and cultural greatness of the ancient trade route that connected East and West, and the route served for centuries for exchange - not only of goods, but also of ideas, art, beliefs, philosophy. An impressive mosaic of national cultures unfolded on the theater stage. Cultural gems from countries such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kalmykia, Buryatia, India, Mongolia, Turkey and others were presented - all those whose history is intertwined with the history of the legendary Silk Road. Showing mutual respect and pride in their heritage, the festival encourages the younger generation to explore the world through the lens of art, history and universal human values. I would like to express special gratitude to the director Alena Badalova and the art director, the famous artist and sculptor Emin Guliyev. Their inexhaustible energy, professionalism and love for children fill this project with life. The creativity and success of the students of Emin Guliyev's art studio have been followed with admiration on social networks for many years. Together with dedicated employees, volunteers and leaders of musical and dance groups, they created a truly magical atmosphere, giving children a chance to perform on the professional stage of the American theater Oceana. I would also like to mention many other leaders of musical groups. These are professional dancers, ballerinas and just beauties, for example, Irina, the head of Irina Dancing Studia and others, from whom it was impossible to take your eyes off. And the way the children performed, there are simply no words! And can you imagine what it is like to bring dozens of child dancers on stage who danced together with professionals? Many children have grown up before my eyes, and I rejoice in their successes as in the victories of my child. I often see the performance of children from the My Way center at various events in the city, and this is always the highlight of the event. And it is not surprising that the efforts of Alena Badalova and the center's staff were recognized with honorary certificates and gratitude from public and political figures: from Assemblymen William Colton, Alec Brooke-Krasny, Senator Stephen Chen, which was presented by the Senator's chief adviser Ari Kagan, on behalf of the Mayor of New York Eric L. Adams, which was presented by the Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Arts and Culture of New York Kendal Henry, and from other government representatives who honored the organizers for their contribution to the development of culture and the education of the younger generation - and, believe me, each certificate is recognition of service to people. Also, the famous lawyer Eva Rakhamimova was awarded an honorary certificate for charitable activities, and it is worth noting that many city events took place thanks to her support. In an interview, Alena Badalova said: “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the New York City Department of Cultural Afairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and New York State Legislature, New York City Mayor Eric L. Adams, The State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, Diana Bagrationi Foundation, Buryad Mongol United Association, Darina Sanzhieva, Law Office of Yeva Rakhamimov and Oceana Theater. It is their generous support and grant that have made this event possible, enabling us to continue this cherished tradition." Marina Lagunova
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