On Shabbos, Parshas Shemini, Pirchei Agudah Yisroel hosted the 2nd annual ‘Shabbos of Achdus’ at Camp Agudah Midwest in South Haven, Michigan. This unique, life-altering event brought boys together from 15 different cities across the United States. Participating cities including Cincinnati, Columbus, Denver, Indianapolis, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, North Miami Beach, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Savannah, South Bend, St. Louis, and more, gathered together for an unforgettable and uplifting Shabbos filled with nonstop hisorirus and unparalleled inspiration. More than 300 participants experienced a beautiful Shabbos that they will long remember.
Nearly 50 bochrim from Yeshiva Bais Shraga in Monsey joined the Shabbaton as madrichim and mashpeim engaging the boys in learning, singing, and meaningful interactions. The Shabbaton commenced with a bonfire and kumzitz on Thursday night, and a warm welcome from Rabbi Yehuda Kohn, the National Director of Pirchei Agudas Yisroel by which set the stage for a jam-packed Shabbos full of dedicated hasmadah learning sedarim, uplifting zemiros, special shiurim by renowned Rabbanim, and personal growth.
Rabbi Tzvi Rifkind of Chicago pioneered the concept of the Shabbos of Achdus and was one of the directors who helped bring it to fruition. The aim of this unique Shabbos was to provide boys from the Midwest communities with a profound and impactful experience which will resonate within their families and communities. At the Shabbos Seuda, Rabbi Rifkind highlighted the accomplishments of the weekend, in inspiring many young men to continue to pursue their Yeshiva education, to strive for greater heights of learning while deepening their commitment to Torah learning, and to bring the ruach of the Shabbos back to their respective cities.
We had the zechus to have Rabbi Henoch Plotnik, Rosh Mesivta, Yeshivas Kesser Yonah, Chicago and Rabbi Heshy Forster, Menahel, the Veitzner Cheder, Chicago, serve as the Rabbanim of the event and deliver numerous inspirational shiurim throughout the Shabbos. Their words and their hashpaah over Shabbos made a lifelong impact on the lives of all the attendees. A unique Question and Answer session with Rabbi Plotnik and Rabbi Forster, served as a valuable opportunity for the boys to seek guidance on challenging scenarios that boys encounter in their daily lives. Rabbi Labish Becker, Executive Director of Agudas Yisroel also graced the event and added the distinctive Agudas Yisroel flavor to the Shabbaton.
One of the most important highlights of the weekend was the Malava Malka, featuring a grand siyum on Mishnayos Seder Moed. Led by the Yeshiva Bais Shraga madrichim and coordinated by Rabbi Eli Gonter, the boys collectively learned the entire Seder Moed at numerous learning sedarim throughout Shabbos, accompanied by many prizes, raffles and delicious nosh! The celebration continued with spirited singing and dancing led by the well-known Chatzi Katz and Simcha Salzer.
Reflecting on the profound impact of the Shabbaton, Rabbi Avi Frank, the program director, remarked “There is no question that the hashpaah of this Shabbos is one that will last for a very long time. Not only on the boys and young men who participated but all the adults who walked away feeling that they had been in the Gan Eiden HaTachton for 3 days. We especially thank our hosts Eli Gluck, Daniel Meyers and Dovid Schnell who provided such a warm and wonderful welcome and beautiful facilities in the camp. I think if there’s one thing that we all agree on, is that we can’t wait until next year so we can have this wonderful experience once again”.