Shabbat

Shabbat at the Institute is a time to connect with new friends and renew old friendships, reflect on and extend the intense living and learning that has occurred during the Institute, and refresh ourselves with this joyful culmination of the week. Before Shabbat starts, participants build an eruv (boundary that allows carrying on Shabbat) and make other Shabbat preparations. Shabbat begins with a rousing Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming Shabbat) and evening service with the whole community, followed by a festive dinner and opportunities for text study, storytelling, poetry reading, and singing late into the night. Several different prayer services and service alternatives meet on Saturday morning, including a special Family Shabbat Service, after which the community gathers for lunch. On Shabbat this year, the afternoon will have a host of options for activities, including a sampler of the course offerings from the previous week, Shabbat-friendly workshops, a guided hike, and a guided reflection on the previous year. The long summer afternoon also provides the opportunity to swim, play, chat, nap, read, or meditate. We savor the last hour of Shabbat by eating seudah shelishit (the third Shabbat meal). Then, the entire community gathers again to bid farewell to Shabbat with a beautiful havdalah (end-of-shabbat ceremony) under the stars.

Shabbat Participants

Can’t come for the whole week? Have friends or family members who would like to join you for Shabbat? All are welcome to join the Institute community for a beautiful, restful, meaningful Shabbat in the mountains. Special Shabbat workshops will allow participants to get a taste of the learning and exploration that has been ongoing throughout the week. Shabbat guests should plan to arrive on Friday, during Institute week between 1:30 and 3:15pm.