Hillel's 4th Annual Hillel Shabbaton

Hillel's 4th Annual Hillel Shabbaton roared into action last Thursday night, with Our Shabbaton theme this year being, עם כלביא – Rise and Roar, flowing from our school-wide theme Am Yisrael Chai. Hillel Chai. We have watched “חי” guide us throughout the school year, and this Shabbaton invited us to explore our identity as a nation of lions — royal, strong, and determined.

It all started our Mega Challah Bake, welcoming over 1,000 members of the Hillel Kehilla. In the days leading up to the event, Ari and Ariella — our beloved Hillel lions — lined the streets of Los Angeles, their lawn signs reminding everyone that a real ROAR was coming to town.

Families arrived in their Shabbaton sweatshirts, learned the deeper meaning of each ingredient in challah, heard divrei Torah from our students, experienced an unforgettable performance by Aryeh Kunstler, and braided their own challah — parents and children together, as one pride.

After the Challah Bake, the next 48 hours deepened our shared purpose and pride.On Friday morning, Aryeh Kunstler led a spirited Shabbat Assembly for our Elementary School students and an uplifting MS Oneg, bringing energy, inspiration, and song.

Friday night, our Kehilla joined for the CHAVER Program, pairing families together for a beautiful, intimate Shabbat dinner experience that highlighted what makes Hillel Kehilla so special — connection, warmth, and community that truly feels like family.

Shabbat morning, we gathered for a powerful Kehillat Shabbat davening, followed by a beautiful luncheon kiddush that brought our whole pride together.

On Motzei Shabbat, we closed the weekend with a grand Havdalah Concert, dancing and singing with Aryeh Kunstler and the Bentzy Marcus Band as one strong and united Kehilla.