At the Weigand Gymnasium on Friday, February 9, approximately 1,000 people gathered to celebrate Shabbat. This second annual Shabbat 1000 was coordinated by the Chabad House on Campus and sponsored by the Jewish organizations from both Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, including the Hillel JUC, the Jewish Heritage Programs, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Zeta Beta Tau, among the others. The Shabbat 1000 committee had been planning the event since before the winter break. Throughout January they worked to make the event possible. People from all over the Pittsburgh area came to Shabbat 1000, including students from Duquesne University, Pitt, and Chatham College.

Traditionally, Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest from work in remembrance of God's creation of the universe and the Hebrews' exodus from ancient Egypt. It is observed from Friday afternoon to after sundown on Saturday. During the Shabbat dinner, which includes lighting candles, songs of prayer, and the blessing for washing the hands, family and friends enjoy each other's presence in a relaxing atmosphere for spiritual and physical renewal.

"We aim to bring 1,000 students together to share the joy and excitement of Shabbat, and just to enjoy a free 3-course meal," the event coordinator and administrator Chani Weinstein said enthusiastically right before the event. "Last year we had 752 people, and this year 850 people signed up. Hopefully the walk-ins will fill up all the empty seats."

At Shabbat 1000, Pitt senior Igor Tatarintsev noted that tradition plays a major role in Jewish life.

"Whether it's for religious or non-religious people, you can really see that tradition brings us together," said Tatarintsev. "Even the non-Jewish people are brought here because of it."

For more information, visit the Shabbat 1000 website.

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