SKA’s annual Shabbaton, held on Friday, November 22, through Sunday, November 24, certainly lived up to expectations this year! The singing, z’miros, achdus, talent, and warmth throughout the weekend at the Somerset Hilton Doubletree Hotel were extraordinary.
So much goes into the Shabbaton and the SKA sophomores, juniors, and seniors (freshmen had their own retreat) spent the entire week preparing for the event. The theme of Kevod Chavercha, respecting your friend, resonated throughout the Shabbaton and was highlighted by our guest speaker, Mrs. Jackie Bitton, who captivated every attendee by her talks. GVG, grade versus grade, generated so much positive energy and united everyone with collaborative creative song, dance, and videos. A surprise highlight of Motza’ei Shabbos was the showing of a specially prepared video sent by SKA graduates now in seminaries in Israel.
A tremendous hakaras ha’tov goes to Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, Director of Student Programs, and his wonderful assistant, Mrs. Yafa Storch, for all the work they put into this Shabbaton. Much thanks goes to Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, Principal, Judaic Studies; Mrs. Bluma Drebin, Principal, General Studies, Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft, Associate Principal; and Mrs. Sandra Pomerantz, Assistant Administrator for enhancing our Shabbos and making it so exciting. Thank you to all the additional administrators, teachers, and madrichos who joined in. And of course, each SKA student who attended the weekend really enriched our Shabbos.