Spending Shabbat in the Heights is like coming home

Crown Heights, Brooklyn. That was the destination for a recent memorable, uplifting Shabbaton sponsored by JLI, the educational arm of Chabad Lubavitch. More than 25 people who represented the Chabad of North Orlando thought they were leaving home in Orlando for a weekend away. What most people said after the weekend was that they felt like they had arrived at home in Crown Heights. Here's how some of the participants described their two-and-a-half days in one of the world's premier bastions of Orthodox Jewry:

Hal and Janice Simonds, "Janice and I attended a small group lecture. The house where this lecture was held was literally full of people. 'Overcrowded' would be an understatement. The Rebbetzin, however, kept saying, 'there's room for more; bring in more chairs,' as more and more people arrived. She would shout out, 'I have cups for water and fruit, and there's some chocolates.'

This was beyond hospitality. This was being treated as family! A close and loving family."

Rabbi Yanky Majesky, "One highlight for me was listening to little Chaim Simon (3rd grade) teaching us a lesson on the Parsha. This was at the Shabbat dinner hosted for our entire group by the Simon family.

"Chaim had learned the lesson in Yeshiva, and he shared it first in Yiddish and then he translated into English. Amazing!"

Lorraine Perez, "Strolling along the tree-lined streets of Crown Heights, one encounters the joyfulness of Jewish life. Yeshiva students scurry to class, families walk to the various kosher bakeries, eateries and bookstores. Even if you come from outside, you are warmly welcomed everyplace you go.

"The energy of the bustle is palpable. You want to stay and linger and soak it all in. Best of all, you can greet everyone with "Gut Shabbos" and receive it in return. It's as natural as saying hello. Then, at that very moment you realize what you have been missing. Home."

Linda Feliciano, "Stepping into Crown Heights was like entering a serene, sacred world where harmony and peace unite people in devotion to Hashem and Shabbat. The streets buzzed with vibrant anticipation as families hurried to be ready for Shabbat, clutching fragrant challah and radiant flowers. At the Ohel (the final resting place of The Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson), the energy was indescribable, a holy palpable force, like a portal, drawing us closer to Hashem. "

Hanna Woodruff, "The community's hospitality was evident everywhere. Everyone I met was gracious, friendly, and eager to connect. Walking through the neighborhood - whether alone or with others - I felt completely safe and at ease, day or night. The entire experience left a lasting impression of connection, comfort, and belonging."

Happy Frank, "As I walked the busy Kingston Avenue Friday, two young school girls approached me and gifted me Shabbat candles to light Friday evening. These two Shabbat candles were packaged so beautifully in a colorful, flowery package. On the front was printed in gold script lettering, 'Take time to do what makes your soul happy!'

"On the back side was a beautiful picture of a pair of gold candles. At one end of the package, printed in pink, was the message 'Gifted in Loving Memory of Mrs. Rechil.' At the other end of the package, it read 'Shabbat Candle Lighting Time Is 18 Minutes Before Sunset. Visit LubavitchYouth.org/ShabbatTimes'! These lovely girls were so gracious, kind and friendly. Shabbat In the Heights is a beautiful experience and a weekend you won't want to miss!

Hannah Pelegrino, "Watching presentation videos over the weekend, I was impacted how our beloved Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson) was committed to the outreach of both Jewish and non-Jewish lives."

Michele Merritt, "Everyone in Crown Heights exudes kindness and warmth, especially as they greet you with Shabbat Shalom as you pass by. Even though there is a lot of hustle and bustle during SITH, you never feel rushed. You just experience the moments, the sense that we are all one.

"I feel closer to Hashem, closer to being a Yid, and at peace. SITH and Crown Heights give me a way to look inward and reflect on my learning and my life."

Maria Patino-Bajayo and Natan Brenner, "We felt especially uplifted by the z'chus (privilege) of visiting the Ohel, one of the most meaningful and sacred moments of the trip."

Other highlights:

Our group - the second largest - was undoubtedly the most joyous and spirited of all the groups. We brought so much simcha everywhere we went. We felt embraced from the moment we arrived.

Our incredible local hosts, the Glucowskys, opened their home and hearts to us, and we still feel that warmth today.

Our beloved Rabbi Majesky, along with his ever-gracious daughters, Batsheva and Shterna, made every one of us feel truly at home.

Chabad of North Orlando was joined at Shabbat in the Heights by a large group headed by Rabbi Mendy Bronstein of Altamonte Springs. Anyone interested in attending next year's Shabbaton should reach out to Rabbi Majesky (407-488-9304) or Rabbi Bronstein (407-280-0535). Registration for a national retreat in Washington DC (Aug. 13-17, 2025) is currently underway. A dynamic trip to Israel (March 9-15, 2026) is also scheduled.