With Rock Chalk Shabayit returning again this year, KU Hillel staff have important updates. To bring the spirit of KU Hillel’s signature event and largest Shabbat experience into your home, they are introducing a new lineup of Shabboxes (Shabbat boxes).
Rock Chalk Shabayit will return in a hybrid format on Friday, November 12. Students will gather safely in-person for dinner and services, while community members, alumni and friends of KU Hillel join for a live broadcast of the event.
Each Shabbox is full of curated items to help welcome Shabbat to the receivers’ homes. Each gift supports the work happening at KU Hillel. From popular Midnight Onegs and Shabbat dinners to serving as a “home away from home” for Jewish college students, community members can give back with every order.
The Shabboxes, started last year during the pandemic, ship across the country, and they can be sent as surprises for friends and family. They are especially popular with alumni.
From the Baby Jay Shabbox (starting at $72) all the way up to the Crimson & Blue Shabbox (with gifts of $1,000 or more), every Shabbox has the basics for a Shabbat: Kiddush cup, grape juice, candles, prayers and more. With a brand-new challah cover design and custom challah boards, these boxes are made to bring joy into your home - as are the included custom socks.
“Our Shabboxes bring KU Hillel into the nests of our friends, alumni and community members, even if they are far away,” Suzy Sostrin, Executive Director, said. “Rock Chalk Shabayit is an incredible event and we are excited to continue to provide this Shabbat experience for all.”
Orders from the Kansas City community have their Shabboxes hand-delivered - a great opportunity for front porch greetings.
Hannah Smuckler, freshman, delivered Shabboxes last year before committing to KU officially and is looking forward to delivering these again.
“Now that I’m a student in Hillel, I’m even more excited to be part of the event in a different way,” Smuckler said. “I can’t wait to help with everything behind the scenes leading up to it.”
This year’s Rock Chalk Shabayit honors Rabbi Neal Schuster. For 13 years (and counting), Neal has impacted generations of Jewish college students and helped them develop their Jewish identities through KU Hillel experiences — Rock Chalk Shabbat included.
Friends of KU Hillel can help honor Rabbi Neal’s impact by submitting messages for printing in the upcoming programs. Their gifts will also support KU Hillel’s Jewish educational programming from fellowships to leadership trips abroad.
“Having strong Jewish educational opportunities means that our college students are able to explore what their Judaism means to them,” Sostrin said. “It’s especially important during the pivotal college years, where positive Jewish experiences create a lasting, lifelong connection to Judaism.”
Shabboxes are just one facet of Rock Chalk Shabayit. During the event, which starts at 5:30 p.m., students lead services and songs, as well as share what KU Hillel means to them. This is an opportunity to learn more about KU Hillel — and staff say they have a few special surprises to find out first through the live stream.
Find out more at kuhillel.org/rcs.
