November 6, 2025
By: Sammi Weiss, Lewis & Clark College ‘27, CGB Member
The Shabbaton Experience
From the winding streets of Athens to the island port of Rhodes, the EUJS Sephardic Shabbaton united Jewish students from across Europe for four days of discovery, storytelling, and connection. As an AJC Campus Global Board (CGB) member - made possible by AJC’s generous support - I had the privilege of reconnecting with two fellow CGB members, Abigail Schcolnik and Ognjena Retković, while meeting peers from several European Jewish Unions.
A Moment of Discovery
The sun was setting, and it was time to welcome Shabbat. As we gathered around the candles in the Kahal Shalom synagogue in Rhodes, Greece, I was surprised when Rabbi Gabriel Negrin of Athens pulled out his phone and began filming. He explained that Sephardic Jews mark the beginning of Shabbat with the prayers that open the Shabbat service, not the candle-lighting itself. As an Ashkenazi Jew, this was new to me. So, as we lit the candles, Rabbi Negrin continued to use his phone to capture our experience learning about the significance of Sephardic Shabbat traditions. I found myself challenged to learn about and experience Judaism through an entirely different lens.
This moment set the tone for the entire weekend. Through walking tours of the Jewish Quarter of Rhodes, lessons on Sephardic traditions, and late-night discussions that blended curiosity and laughter, the weekend became a living celebration of Sephardic heritage. We explored the rich history of Sephardic migration stories, melodies, languages, and resilience. Dr. Ram Shoeff led a workshop titled "Heritage Documentation and Community Values," eliciting examples of shared community memory and personal stories about how we preserve history. We heard the beautiful words and melodies of "Adio Kerida" as we embraced each other in song. Eyal Gabay guided us through "Sephardic Jewry: Origins, Modernity, and Future," leading meaningful discussions about the Jewish people's layered identities across time. Through these sessions and conversations, it became clear how beautifully multifaceted Jewish identity is.
Breaking Out of the Echo Chamber
After Havdalah on Saturday night, my conversation with a few new friends turned to Judaism in America. Though each of us held different identities and perspectives, we shared in our critique of how American Jews engage with their identity on university campuses. As Americans, we often live in an echo chamber unless we're invited to think about global Jewry. For the past two years, American Jewish students have experienced antisemitism in new and intense ways. However, for Jews outside the U.S., the post-October 7th spike in antisemitism was not something all that new. American Jews were sheltered in ways we are only now beginning to understand. Stepping out of my echo chamber opened my eyes and my heart to global Jewry. This was the beauty of the Sephardic Shabbaton: each perspective enriched our broader conversation about Judaism.
As an Ashkenazi American Jew, I have experienced Judaism through my "normative" lens: Yiddish phrases, Eastern European recipes, and Jewish summer camp. The Sephardic Shabbaton challenged me to reflect on the diversity within our religion and culture. I want to expand my Judaism: embracing traditions different from my own, be they Sephardic, Romaniote, Mizrahi, or anything else.
It's rare to meet people and immediately know the friendship will endure—but with this group, I did. Despite the distances between our homes, the languages we speak, or the waters that separate us, these friendships quickly took root through our shared Shabbaton experiences, proof that connection and mutual respect transcends borders.
As a member of AJC’s Campus Global Board, I am at the beginning of my global journey of Jewish advocacy, activism, and leadership. One of my leadership goals has been to act with intention and lead with purpose. The Shabbaton opened doors: to new conversations that challenged my positionality and encouraged reflexivity; to new traditions and perspectives on Jewish life; and to new insights about how my leadership can shape a brighter future for world Jewry. My goals continue to grow.
Jewish Unity
Throughout the Shabbaton, we discussed how Sephardic Jews often navigate invisible barriers in predominantly Ashkenazi spaces - the "glass ceiling" within our community. Even within our shared Jewish identity, representation and inclusion must be intentional and cannot be taken for granted.
World Jewry is an ever-evolving entity. You know the saying: two Jews, three opinions. Yet what this weekend made clear is that our differences should not be seen as divisions, but rather dimensions of our shared identity. The Sephardic Shabbaton wasn't just about celebrating one tradition; it was about building bridges between many traditions - Sephardic, Ashkenazi, and Romaniote - allowing all of us to come together to share not just customs, but also values, perspectives, and hopes for the future.
Call to Action
It's time for us to break this glass ceiling, step out of our echo chambers, and celebrate the richness of our collective heritage by lifting up and sharing in each other’s experiences and traditions. Our diversity is not an obstacle to overcome, but the very strength that ensures our continuity and our ability to thrive as a Jewish community.
The Sephardic Shabbaton was not simply a weekend of learning, laughter, and light, but a reminder of what Jewish unity can look like in practice. When we listen to one another's stories, celebrate each other's traditions, and build bridges across our differences, we honor our past and secure our shared future.
