This past Shabbat, the newly renovated Mayanot World Center was filled with warmth, joy, and reconnection as over 150 alumni and their families gathered for a special Mayanot Alumni Shabbaton in Israel.
Families traveled from across the country to spend a meaningful Shabbat together under one roof—literally—sharing a beautiful rooftop lunch overlooking Jerusalem and enjoying inspiring farbrengens with some of their favorite Mayanot teachers.
As one alum put it, "It felt like coming back to family."
Rabbi's like Rabbi Kaplan walked from Harnof to Join. Rabbi Wichnin came with his entire family and Rabbi Shemtov and his children were happy to be in attendance, Rabbi Levinger gave a beautiful class at the start of shabbat. The atmosphere was one of unity, celebration, and deep connection, echoing the powerful experiences shared during the students time at Mayanot.
Participants were blown away by the stunning renovations at the World Center, praising the comfortable rooms and beautiful communal spaces that made the entire Shabbat feel like a home away from home.
More than anything, the Shabbaton offered a unique opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni, reminisce about their time at Mayanot, and strengthen the growing community of olim who have made Aliyah and are now building their lives in Israel.
It was so beautiful to see everyone come at all different stages of life, some with large families, some olim on their own but everyone came together to connect, spend shabbat and farbreng about their lives, the Women were lucky enough to have Rivka Marga there and it was a wonderful bonding experience.
As an alum said, "the whole shabbat felt like a big farbrengen, how I needed this, I can't wait for the next one."
