This year, Rock Chalk Shabbat will return as an in-person, community-wide event on Friday, April 29, 2022, after two years of hybrid and virtual Rock Chalk Shabayits.
It will be held in Ironwoods Park in Leawood, Kansas.
KU Hillel chose an outdoor location for their entire community to come together. Rock Chalk Shabbat in the Park embraces the environment with a summer camp theme, KU Hillel Executive Director Suzy Sostrin said.
“With many of our alumni and community members now residing in the Kansas City area, we wanted to bring the experience of KU Hillel for their family and friends,” Sostrin said. “We are thrilled to be back in person and excited to see so many familiar faces again.”
Rock Chalk Shabbat in the Park will start at 5:30 p.m. at Ironwoods Park’s amphitheater and will feature KU Hillel’s student songleaders. Working with Rabbi Neal Schuster, they are putting together a service encompassing their own traditions as well as KU Hillel's established medleys.
“From my place on stage, I get to see Jews from all kinds of places come together through food,
music and a love of KU Hillel,” said Noah Kahn, senior and songleader.
Dinner will be in the partially open-air Lodge at Ironwoods, a quick Shabbat walk up from the amphitheater, with family-style seating. Table sponsorships start at $360, with tickets included for eight-to-10 guests for dinner and celebration, students hosting your table, and reserved seating at services.
During and after dinner, KU Hillel has camp counselors (all trained students) who will lead campers of all ages through activities including making friendship bracelets, tie-dye shirts and commemorative Judaica.
“As a parent, I know how excited we all will be to have dedicated camp counselors to help lead our kids in fun camp activities,” Sostrin said. “This will give parents time to socialize with our community and enjoy the magic of Rock Chalk Shabbat.”
Children’s tickets also include a free “Future Jayhawk” shirt and childcare provided by KU Hillel’s students as camp counselors. In addition to a family price of $180 and a variety of sponsorship opportunities (including naming camp activities), individual tickets are also available for purchase for community members.
Rock Chalk Shabbat in the Park is a fun way to bring together family and friends of KU Hillel and so many new faces, said Ariel Cohn, KU Hillel Development Intern and senior.
“I’m really excited to help plan the event and share with Kansas City how much of an impact Hillel has made on generations of Jewish Jayhawks,” Cohn said. “As a senior, I’m looking forward to being back in person and getting to see our alumni here, too.”
Over the past 20 years, Rock Chalk Shabbat has continued to grow and evolve. This spring event is a new example of how what started as a student-only Shabbat dinner has become something connecting an entire community.
For more information on Rock Chalk Shabbat in the Park or to reserve your tickets now, head to kuhillel.org/rcs or contact Savannah Kannberg, Donor Relations & Communications Director, at 785-749-5397.