Running a Shabbaton is like birthing a child.
by Ruchi
The
first time around, you have no idea what you're doing. You're
ridiculously happy, but also feeling wildly incompetent. Everyone seems
thrilled, so you figure you're probably not breaking anything major.
By
the time you get around to the 9th, you've settled into a groove. You
learn what needs time and what doesn't. You just pull out your stuff
from the last one and make some minor edits. You've learned what to
obsess over and what to just let go. The love from previous ones builds
up to a greater crescendo each time.
With
each additional child, I've found myself wondering if I could possibly
love another child as much as I love the children I already have. And
each time, my heart swells to accept and embrace a new child into our
family.
Well,
each time we plan a Shabbaton I wonder: what can we offer that hasn't
previously been offered? Can another Shabbaton be loved as much as our
other ones?
But,
with joy and trust, we anticipate the birth and arrival of our 9th
annual Shabbaton. We've prepared, we've enlisted help from so many
excellent people, and we'll celebrate in JFX-style: with community,
laughs, love, Judaism, and, always, lots of good food.
L'chaim!
