29th-annual Shabbat 2000 sets new records

Chabad Binghamton surpassed their

Caroselli arts & culture contributor

The 29th-annual Shabbat 2000 was true to its name, with thousands of students gathering to participate. The celebration was held in the Events Center on campus and included food, performances, singing, dancing and much more. Shabbat is the Jewish Sabbath, or day of rest. It takes place each week starting at sunset on Friday and ending at sunset on Saturday.

Rabbi Levi Slonim, the Chabad downtown and development director of the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at BU, described it as one day each week that can be put aside to not do work, and instead relax, celebrate and connect with others.

“It is a command from God to rest and to disconnect from the distractions of life,” Slonim said.

During Shabbat, the Jewish community refrains from using technology for about 25 hours and instead focuses on reconnecting with each other and their faith. Shabbat has been practiced for thousands of years and is a meaningful tradition to those of the Jewish faith.