Written by Daniel Warshawsky
Every time I have had the fortune of coming to stay in Israel, I have had the opportunity to expose myself to different forms of Judaism that I may not have been able to experience elsewhere. Our first shabbat on the Nachshon Project was no different. To begin our shabbat experience, we began by having a Kabbalat Shabbat service that was led by our participants from different URJ camps. We gathered together in one of the rooms at Kibbutz Shefayim and sang Jewish songs, both familiar and new. After each song, our two leaders asked us questions and we discussed what it was like for us to be together, creating a new shabbat community in Israel. After Kabbalat Shabbat and candle lighting, the participants from Ramah camps had the chance to lead a traditional Conservative Ma'ariv service. For me, this was a familiar service that I know extremely well, and was able to connect to immediately.
Thinking back on the whole experience, I'm immediately think of the level of respect that everyone who participated in our services had for each other. Even though each person might not have connected to one of the services on a spiritual level, we all were able to understand that both types of services could be meaningful for someone in the room. Even after the services were over, people were having discussions about wanting to learn more about the service from another camp. There was even talk about creating a learner's minyan for our next Shabbaton in order for everyone to be able to fully participate in each service.
I was able to take much more away from this experience than the feeling of having fulfilled my spiritual obligations for Shabbat. It gave me a glimpse into our next few months on the Nachshon Project, and at the type of community that we are creating for ourselves. If the future of the Jewish people is even a little similar to the accepting, educational community that we formed after two days together in Israel, then I am truly hopeful for the future.
