Mitzpeh

Imagine walking into what was once the Reckord Armory and seeing nearly one hundred tables with white tablecloths and blue and white balloons.

“It’s a Bar Mitzvah,” said Dana Wachter, a freshman journalism major.

Well, not exactly, but you’re getting there.

Shabbat 1036, the largest Jewish event in the history of the University of Maryland, took place on Friday, Nov. 5, to overwhelming success and relief.

1036, which spells out “Maryland Shabbat” in gematria (Jewish numerology), was the target number of students Hillel was hoping would attend this event.

More than 1,000 students pre-registered for the event, bringing together 4 percent of the entire student body in one room for a sit-down dinner.

Students came out in droves, in full Shabbat attire, to enjoy a traditional Friday night dinner.

“I saw almost every Jew I know here. It was an event that brought the Jewish community together,” said Ruth Igielnik, a freshman letters and science major.

Much planning and hard work was needed to make the night as momentous and successful as it was. Months of planning from Hillel, Chabad and the Jewish Student Union (JSU) went into this event. Simple tasks such as what color the give-away mug should be, or how many tables will actually be needed, took preparation and many meetings by all the organizations involved.

“Things just came together,” said JSU President Shuli Karkowsky. “Look around, students put this together.”

The evening began with a welcome from Maryland Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Ari Israel, who cited a television commercial that helped inspire the event. “The only way to make a dream come true is to wake up — and the Jewish community is wide awake!”

Following Israel’s address was a performance by a capella group Kol Sasson, the traditional Friday night blessings and of course, the meal.

“What do Jews like better than to get together, socialize and eat?” Sara Stesis, a freshman communication major, said.

After the meal, closing remarks were made by Chabad’s Rabbi Eli Backman, and a capella group PandemoniUM gave a performance. There was also a Tzedek Hillel hunger awareness campaign kicking off at the event with awareness bracelets and hunger education materials.

The overwhelming task of putting the event together was accomplished with great success.

“Jewish leaders have made this event,” said Julie Lowe, executive vice president of JSU and chair of planning and logistics for Shabbat 1036.

“Take a look around,” Israel said. “Jews eating and having a good time — this is a smashing success.”  

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