BJ Bicentennial Shabbaton

Your Shabbaton registration includes:

• Complimentary tickets to the pre-Shabbaton lecture with Dr. Jonathan Sarna*, and Shabbat Shirah Concert with the Raza Ensemble*
• Shabbat Dinner Options*
  • Community Shabbat Dinner, with options for a large-capacity family-style dinner, or a more intimate, smaller-capacity buffet dinner. The menu will be meat, with both vegan and gluten-free options.
  • Family Shabbat Dinner, open to all ages but geared toward households with elementary and middle school-aged children. The menu includes more kid-friendly options, and the dinner will be filled with the joyfully cacophonous activity of the next Jewish generation.
  • Teen Shabbat Dinner
  • 7th-Grade Shabbat Dinner
  • Tot Shabbat Dinner for Early Childhood Families, geared toward households with children up to age 6. For the Shabbaton, this early dinner will take place before Kabbalat Shabbat, and families will then be invited to join the full community for the service. Note that there will not be a separate Tot Shabbat service.

• Shabbat afternoon programming for adults and children led by BJ rabbis, staff, and community members
• Seudah Shelishit/third Shabbat Meal (Community or Aviv)*
• Sunday Morning brunch*
• And BJ swag, of course!

Those who register as a Supporter will also be invited to a pre-lecture reception with Dr. Jonathan Sarna.

* Registration is required for all dinners and sessions marked with an asterisk above—space is limited. You can make your selections as part of your Shabbaton registration.

Registration for the Shabbaton is open to all who want to experience this special Shabbat at BJ. The non-member registration fee is $180, and includes all Shabbaton meals and programming. As always, Shabbat services and community Kiddush after Shabbat morning services are free and open to all who would like to experience the music and prayer that are so core to BJ, as well as the schmooze and food that takes place after Shabbat morning service.

Absolutely! For a one-on-one connection, sign up on the registration form to be paired with a veteran BJ member who will be your buddy, sit with you at services, and answer your questions throughout the weekend. We will also offer a tour of the BJ Sanctuary and Community House on Shabbat afternoon for those who want to explore the history and design of the building. Also, check out our website for more information about the building and our services.

Limited home hospitality with local BJ members may be available. If you are interested in this option, please fill out this form.

There are several hotel options on the Upper West Side that are convenient to BJ. Rates this year are significantly lower than they were at the time of last year’s Shabbaton, and once again BJ has made arrangements for discounted rates with the several hotels that are within walking distance to the synagogue (10 to 15 blocks). 

Rates have been discounted and/or certain fees waived, but the rates themselves can fluctuate daily. 

Please note the hotel deadlines have passed. Some hotels may still have availability. Click here for a current booking links.

All communal meals will have vegan and gluten-free options available. Please be sure to note any dietary restrictions on your Shabbaton registration. We will always do our best to accommodate dietary needs, but please note that it’s possible not all needs can be met.

Thanks for helping! Please take a look at these volunteer opportunities and sign up for what speaks to you.

Pre-event Helper: Be on the list of people we can call if we need some extra hands leading up to or the morning of the Shabbaton—this could include registration setup, local area deliveries, and more.

Registration table/Check-in: Welcome attendees with a smile and help them find their nametags.

Sanctuary Welcome Team: Bring your warm smile and open heart by helping out at services. We’ll give you all the info you need, so even if you’ve never been inside BJ before, you can absolutely be part of the welcome!

Out-of-town Host: Host a BJ member, who lives outside the NY area, in your home for the weekend. If you select this volunteer opportunity, our Out of Town subcommittee will follow up with additional details and questions for you.

BJ Buddy: Welcome a specific person to BJ, sit with them during services to help orient them, and answer questions they may have. We’ll match you with a BJ member who has requested a buddy.

Clean-Up Crew: Ease the burden on BJ’s operations staff by helping with clean up after Friday night dinner, community Kiddush, or Saturday evening dinner. You’ll also help direct people to dispose of their waste in the appropriate receptacles (trash, recycling, or compost).

Communal Meal Table “Host”: Help people feel at ease during the communal meals at BJ by facilitating introductions and conversation at your table.

Got another special skill or super power? Let us know how else you want to volunteer!

Refunds will be granted for those who cancel by Thursday, January 31, 2025.