A Weekend to Remember

A southwest Calgary hotel became a Shabbos oasis on the last weekend of January, as hundreds of Calgary families gathered to celebrate the 10th Annual One Shabbos One World.  It was Calgary’s most successful One Shabbos One World event ever!

 “We wanted to do something special to celebrate the 10th anniversary,” says Rabbi Mordechai Groner, Director of the Calgary Jewish Learning Institute, part of Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta.  “Making it a weekend event at the Days Inn, where we could accommodate more people and provide the opportunity to break away from the normal routine was the perfect idea.”

The community took full advantage.  Almost 400 people attended the sold out Shabbaton and 36 hotel rooms were needed to accommodate over 100 overnight guests.  “I think it was a fantastic weekend,” says Eugenia Virine, who attended with her husband Lev and sons Boris and Sam.  “This year I didn't have to rush back and forth and I could truly relax and soak in the Shabbat and schmooze and really communicate with people.”

The relaxed atmosphere was the perfect setting for the presentations from guest speaker Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet M.A., internationally renowned lecturer, columnist and commentator from London England.  His Saturday evening presentation ‘Think Good and It Will be Good’ resonated with the entire audience.  “He’s just an excellent speaker,” says Dr. Darryl Gurevitch who attended the weekend with his family.  “The Rabbi’s delivery, his fluency is amazing and he’s just such a positive person and the messages are so positive and making you think that you can add to the happiness of your own life.”

But Rabbi Schochet did not shy away from addressing the rise of anti-Semitism around the world.  This year’s One Shabbos One World was dedicated to the Jewish Community in Paris and during an afternoon question and answer crossfire he emphasized how important it is for Jews in France to hold fast, and maintain their community despite the violence.  “He’s an amazing speaker,” says Eugenia Virine, “I was so impressed the way he handled the difficult questions.  He’s straight forward and quite forceful.”

“I think it was an overwhelming experience,” says Rabbi Schochet.  “I was inspired first by the level of volunteer and the amount of people and energy that goes into making this sort of weekend happen.  I was also deeply inspired by the number of Jews that chose to all come together from different spectrums right across the community and I am perhaps above all else inspired by (Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta Executive Director) Rabbi Matusof and Rabbi Groner and their incredible levels of energy and how they clearly impact so many people in so many amazing different ways.”

Good food is an important part of most successful Jewish events and One Shabbos One World did not disappoint.  A dedicated team of volunteers worked countless hours preparing all the food in the tiny Chabad House kitchen and then a convoy of vehicles transported everything to the hotel.  That includes more than 1,000 handmade Challah buns.  “It was a dream team!” says One Shabbos One World Committee member Rita Babaganov.  “We were able to welcome about 120 more people than the capacity at Chabad House, we weren’t so squished, the speaker was amazing and the food was hot and delicious.  And I just wish everyone could have volunteers like this.”

Over 50 children, 25 teenagers, and over 20 young adults between the ages of twenty and thirty, attended programs over the Shabbaton weekend.  Rabbi and Rebbetzen Matusof’s recently married daughter Brochie Levin and her husband Zalmy came in from New York City to run special children and youth programs.  “It was interesting and fun to live in Calgary but still stay in a hotel and we thought it would be a great experience for the kids, and it was,” says Dr. Darryl Gurevitch.

“The demand for these types of events is so great that our current Chabad House is too small. We have outgrown our home!” says Rabbi Matusof. “It is truly a wonderful thing to share Shabbos with so many people at one time.”

Thanks to everyone who attended, the sponsors, volunteers and especially the organizing committee; Randi Aaron, Rita Babaganov, Adele Baserman, Mark Baserman, Suzi Dil, Rivka Gafni, Jodi Goldstein, Rabbi Mordechai Groner, Neil Labell, Zuli Mashiah and Rebbetzin Rochel Matusof.

“One Shabbos One World provides an opportunity to reflect on the uniqueness of one’s Jewish identity,” says Rabbi Schochet.  “It’s important to pause and take the time and reconnect with one another and our Jewish traditions.”

All photos taken before or after Shabbos by Mr. Avriel Gafni