* Notes programs that are fully observant of traditional Shabbat practices.
1:00 PM: Welcome! Please check in and have a snack!
1:30-2:45 PM: Opening Program and Icebreakers
There are so many different thoughts, feelings, identities, and experiences that each of us are bringing to our weekend together. We’re going to take some time to find out what those are, and also set some ground rules for the weekend.
2:50-3:50 PM: Pre-Shabbat Chugim
As we transition away from the school week and into Shabbat, here are some activities to help you get in the mindset for our weekend together.
4:00-5:00 PM: Free Time
Take this time to get settled in your rooms, meet your roommate, and prepare for Shabbat in whatever way that might mean for you. We’ll be gathering together again in a little bit to begin Shabbat together. There will be a Makeup Commune/Tutorial in the lobby.
5:00-5:30 PM: Batim
A bayit (pl. batim) is the Hebrew word for “home.” Your bayit will be a micro-community at the Shabbaton, where you’ll have a chance to meet with a smaller group and process some of the thoughts and experiences you’ve had, as well as get to know your fellow participants and staff on a deeper level.
* 5:35-6:35 PM: Bringing in the Sabbath Kween: Candle Lighting, Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv
As the sun sets, we will gather together to light candles, marking the beginning of Shabbat. We’ll then enter Friday evening services together, beginning with Kabbalat Shabbat (“Receiving Shabbat”).
* 6:45-7:45 PM: Dinner!
We’ll have our first meal together as a community — a festive Shabbat dinner!
* 7:50-9:00 PM: Enthusiastic Consent
Our Shabbaton community is a safe space for all of us, and enthusiastic consent is a way for us to protect each other and our community.
9:05 PM-10:05 PM: Shabbat Oneg Options
* 10:10-11:10 PM: Shabbat Hangout time and Pajama Party
Top off the night with some relaxing board games if you brought, meeting new friends, and reconnecting with old ones. Come show your coziest, most fabulous pajamas!
11:15 PM: Good night! Sleep tight!
Before going to your rooms, please check in with a staff member, beginning at 10:30 PM. Good night; sleep tight! You must be checked into your rooms by 11:20 PM. Lights out is at 11:30 PM.
8:00 AM: Good morning!
Rise and shine!
* 8:30-9:15 AM: Breakfast!
* 9:30-10:00 AM: Batim
10:00-11:00 AM: Saturday Morning Kavvanot
Kavvanah (pl. Kavvanot) is the Hebrew word for “intention.” We will begin Shabbat morning with different ways of setting intentions for the coming day before gathering back together later this morning and beginning lunch.
* 11:15AM -12:00 PM: Sexuality Schmooze
We all hold a variety of different identities, and no two of us experience the same identity the same way. This program is an opportunity to chat in groups about our sexual identities. Participants will learn about how other people view and interact with their sexuality.
* 12:05-12:15 PM: Community Sing
We will join together as a community in some singing.
* 12:15-1:15 PM: Lunch time!
* 1:30-3:00 PM: Gender Schmooze
We all hold a variety of different identities, and no two of us experience the same identity the same way. This program is an opportunity to chat in small groups about gender and our own gender identities. This program will be broken into two sections.
1:30-2:15 PM: Gender Schmooze
2:15-3:00 PM: Gender Caucuses
3:00-4:30 PM: Free Time
Enjoy some free time with friends old and new. You can also stop by the lounge if you’re interested in talking more about Judaism, queerness, current events, or anything else, our staff members are available for you to chat with. Board games will be out & available throughout free time.
* 4:30-5:30 PM: Shabbat Afternoon Discussions
Building off of the program before about identities, these discussions are meant to further deepen our understanding of identities and what it means to be a minority in our society today.
* 5:35-6:35 PM: Sichot
Sichot is the Hebrew word for “conversations.” These guided, paired conversations will be an opportunity to get to know one other person on a deeper level as we move into the end of the Shabbaton.
6:40-7:15 PM: Havdalah
Havdalah, the Hebrew word for “separation,” is the ritual that ends Shabbat once there are three stars visible in the sky. We’ll gather the parts of Shabbat that we love the most — the fires with which we started Shabbat, sweet smells, grape juice from our meals, and song from throughout the day — to end Shabbat together as a community.
7:20-8:20 PM: Dinner [Dining Hall]
8:30-9:00 PM: Batim
9:00-10:00 PM: Caring for Ourselves and Our Communities
10:00-11:30 PM: Celebration of Queer Joy
On Saturday night, we are going to celebrate queer joy in all of its forms! Come for a Queer Prom as well as a fun photo booth to take photos with your friends! Board and video games will be available to play if dancing isn’t your thing. We will also have warm fuzzies set up so that you can leave notes for your friends!
11:45 PM: Good night! Sleep Tight! Don’t forget to turn off the light! (…and, if you’re flying, don’t forget to check-in for your flight!)
We made a rhyme! You can begin checking out with a staff member at 10:45 PM. Lights out is at midnight.
8:00 AM: Good morning!
Rise and shine!
8:30-9:30 AM: Breakfast! [Dining Hall]
9:35-10:05 AM: Batim
10:10-11:25 AM: Closing Program
How can we take the things we’ve learned and the friends we’ve made here this past weekend, and turn them into action as we prepare to head home? Together we will think through these questions as we prepare to say goodbye.
11:30 AM-12:10 PM: Closing Circle and Song
12:15 PM: Depart Retreat Center for Airports
We’ll see you soon! Keep in touch!
National Office - Boston
1860 Washington St.
Newton, MA 02466
Phone: 617.524.9227
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