What do you like about Shabbat?

By Alyssa Appelman
KOC Editor
University of Missouri, Columbia

"What do you like about Shabbat? What do you like about Shabbat? (Name) likes the (fill in the blank), (Name) like the (fill in the blank), and that's what we like about Shabbat."

We used to sing that at my preschool. We would go around a circle and repeat the song/chant until everyone in our class had added their name. It was quite the crowd pleaser. A couple of years ago, I was singing this song with a friend of mine from the same preschool at a Friday night Hillel dinner. The responses were telling. About 90 percent of the guys we asked said they like Shabbat because of the Hillel girls. We heard a few shout-outs for the challah, some for the wine, some for the chance to rest, and some for the singing (although, come to think of it, that might have just been the two of us).

I think that variety of responses is actually what I like most about Shabbat. I like that it can provide different people with different types of comfort, whether it's the community or the traditions. I like that Shabbat can be meaningful to different people in different ways.

In this issue, we're offering reflections on the types of meaning that can be found in Shabbat. Adam Schwartz, of the University of Tennessee, embraces a Shabbat program in a non-Jewish area. Stephenie Carlson, of the University of Missouri-Columbia, explores her newfound connection to Judaism. KOACH Shaliach Itamar Kremer explores the role Shabbat plays in Israel.

And check out our regular features. In this month's Culture Corner, Robin Broder, of JTS/Columbia, reflects on her experience in Japan. In Campus Update, David Goldstein tells us about KOACH at the University of Maryland and Ilana Ostro tells us about KOACH at Michigan State. And, as always, we have a Jewish joke for your pleasure.

I hope your semesters are off to a good start, and I'll see you at the KOACH Kallah in Chicago!

[Posted 2/6/08]