KU Hillel celebrates 18 years of Rock Chalk Shabbat
A large crowd, including those shown in this photo, enjoyed KU Hillel’s Rock Chalk Shabbat in the fall of 2018.Rock Chalk Shabbat marks 18 years on Friday, Feb. 7. KU Hillel started this Shabbat dinner as a way to gather the most Jewish students together. Over the years the event has turned into a way to celebrate the strong Jewish community at the University of Kansas, including students, alumni and family. Nearly two decades ago, Rock Chalk Shabbat looked a little different. It started with the idea of gathering 150 Jewish Jayhawks for the biggest Shabbat dinner ever, and called itself “Shabbat 150.” Each year, the goal was upped, to Shabbat 250, to Shabbat 360. It outgrew a few spaces and eventually became the Rock Chalk Shabbat KU Hillel said the students, friends and supporters “know and love today.”Now, Rock Chalk Shabbat incorporates a dinner with Shabbat services and time to mingle with fellow Jayhawks, who all are passionate about this community. Hillel’s staff and student leaders create and run this event each year, giving everyone a time to spend Shabbat together. At that very first Shabbat, former Executive Director Jay Lewis spoke on the dream of making KU Hillel a vibrant place for a Jewish community to flourish. “We’ve built an amazing community here, and we’re so excited to share it,” KU Hillel Executive Director Suzy Sostrin said. “Now, we’re also looking forward to Rock Chalk Shabbat’s future, too.”This year, KU Hillel expects 500 supporters, including family members and alumni traveling in from across the country, to enjoy the evening together. Got Shabbat plans next Friday night? KU Hillel invites the community to Lawrence for Rock Chalk Shabbat. Tickets and table sponsorships are still available at kuhillel.org. Funds raised from this dinner help support a variety of KU Hillel programs, from mental health and wellness initiatives to programs for developing young Jewish leaders.
