Chabad and UCF Jewish community to unite for Shabbat 1000

Hundreds of Orlando college students, faculty, staff and community members will gather together for a celebration of Jewish unity at the fifth annual Mega Shabbat on UCF's campus.

The traditional Shabbat Dinner will be held in Pegasus Ballroom in the Student Union on the UCF campus on March 3, 5:30 p.m. appetizers; 6:15 Women Light Shabbat Candles; 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Dinner.

Shabbat 1000 is a project developed by the Chabad on Campus International Foundation. Leaders of Chabad on Campus observed that, while many U.S. campuses have active Jewish student organizations, the majority of Jewish college students do not participate in Jewish life on their respective campuses. The goal of the Shabbat 1000 program is to create an annual event, which is able to attract the interest of the entire Jewish student body. The program was first held at SUNY Binghamton, and has since been held at Harvard, UF, UGA, USC, Tulane and many other universities.

"The event has really caught the imagination of the student population here in Orlando," said Rabbi Chaim Lipskier, director of Chabad at UCF, "we have over 50 students working on making this program a success. I really hope that the faculty, alumni and greater Orlando Jewish community will be able to participate as well, helping to create a greater sense of Jewish community."

"To see hundreds of Jewish students from all walks of life come to spend Shabbat together is very inspiring and renews your faith in the future of the Jewish people! The only way to experience Shabbat 1000 is to be there," said Rivkie Lipskier, program director of Chabad at UCF

"Each year Chabad at UCF hosts an incredible mega Shabbat for the entire campus community! With this year's theme of unity, it is going to the biggest and most exciting one yet!" said Gal Cahlon, president of the Chabad Jewish Student Group.

In addition to the unity inspired by the mega Shabbat, Chabad will donate to three dance groups participating in Knight Thon that bring students to Shabbat 1000.

Knight Thon is a yearly fundraiser/dance marathon organized by UCF students. All the funds raised go directly toward the Children's Miracle Network. Thousands of UCF students are involved.

"I think it is amazing that Chabad at UCF has taken the initiative to help benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and support Knight-Thon for their Shabbat 1000 Event," said Brandon Kraut, director of Knight-Thon.

Shabbat 1000 is co-sponsored by Student Government Association, Judaic Studies at UCF, UCF Hillel, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Zeta Beta Tau, Gamma Phi Beta, Knight Thon and Knights for Israel.

The Shabbat 1000 website is http://www.jewishucf.com/shabbat1000

This event is open to the entire UCF community if you would like to reserve a seat please RSVP at http://www.jewishucf.com/shabbat1000

For more information please contact Rabbi Chaim Lipskier at rabbi@jewishucf.com, or 407-310-8876.