Brandeis Hebrew Academy celebrated our first annual Shabbat Across Brandeis with unique activities throughout the week. The program began on Wednesday afternoon where Middle School students, divided into teams, prepared their family favorite recipes with delicious Wagyu beef donated by Chu’s Meat Market. After cooking overnight on campus, students welcomed six judges from the community including Mr. Jeff Bessen, editor of the Nassau Herald, Mr. Gabriel Boxer, local foodie and community advocate, Mr. Michael Edery from the 20th District and Mr. Shlomo Klein from Fleishig’s Magazine. Judges sampled each team’s chulent and chose their winner: a group of 6th grade students whose recipe came from a competitor’s mother.
To continue with the Shabbat spirit, students in grades PK-4 enjoyed a very special Oneg Shabbat on Friday morning, which was open to all Brandeis parents. To culminate the Shabbat Across Brandeis events, students, graduates, parents and staff members joined for a festive Melaveh Malka where students prepared their own Besamim bags, listened to a Havdalah service performed by Rabbi Khaskin, and wrote letters to IDF soldiers which are being delivered next week. Together, the Brandeis family celebrated and connected to the meaning of Shabbat.