It's time to sign up for the HBT Shabbaton — a vibrant, community-building weekend
filled with heartfelt worship, learning, music, great food, creativity, play, and
plenty of time to connect with friends old and new.
Come sing, learn to play mahjong, study Torah, attend an outdoor service, see a variety
show, play a kickball game. We are excited that this is Pride Shabbat, where we will
acknowledge and celebrate our diverse and welcoming congregation.
Whether you come on your own or with family, there will be something for everyone!
Weekend Schedule
Look for signage in the lobby for room locations.
Friday Evening, June 5
6:30–8:45 PM
Shabbat Rina followed by dinner
and then we come back together on:
Saturday Morning, June 6
8:45–9:30 AM
Light breakfast
9:45–10:45 AM
Greeting the Day with Song — morning group service
11:00 AM–Noon
Breakout worship services:
- Traditional service — Sanctuary
- Yoga — Social Hall
- Outdoor — meet Jon Wishnie in the lobby (location TBD)
- Chanting and Meditation — Yellow Room
- Children's service (ages 1–5) — Bride's Room, back of Sanctuary
11:00 AM
Attending Pride? Carpool group convenes in the lobby for the Orange Line.
12:15–12:30 PM
Reconvene in main Sanctuary to end services
12:45–1:45 PM
Kiddush lunch and zemirot
We welcome all who wish to attend. To inquire about financial aid, please contact
Benita Block confidentially.
Saturday Afternoon & Evening, June 6
4:45–6:30 PM
Flex Time — Soule Field activities (till 5:30) · Mahjong (Social Hall) · Tea & relaxation (Yellow Room) · Backgammon (Kiddush Room)
6:45 PM
Dinner
7:30 PM
Variety Show and Havdalah
9:15 PM
End of Shabbaton
Childcare available for pre-registered families · Hours: 9:30–11:00 AM and 2:00–3:30 PM · Bride's Room, back of Sanctuary
Afternoon Sessions
Saturday, June 6 · Look for signs in the lobby directing you to each room.
Session One · 2:15–3:15 PM
Book Discussion
Elana Elstein
Yellow Room
Join the final meeting of the year of the HBT book group: Reading, Eating and Meeting. We'll discuss the Amos Oz novel Scenes from Village Life, focusing on the first four chapters. Available at local libraries and in the HBT office. Everyone welcome — even if you haven't read the book.
Adults
Art and Nature
Phyllis Haycock-Poller
Tent in parking lot / woodchips area
Rock painting, scavenger hunt, and working together to build a collaborative art installation.
Ages 7 and up
Israeli Dancing
Ruth Lederman
Yellow Room (front half of former chapel)
Israeli dancing, simple enough for all to join in!
Ages 13 and up
Bob Dylan 85th Birthday Singalong
Jeff Klepper
Kiddush Room
Bring your voice and spirit to celebrate the artist of whom President Obama said, "There's not a bigger giant in the history of American music." In addition to some of his greatest hits, we'll sing songs that open a window into Dylan's life as a Jew and a spiritual seeker.
All ages · kids who love to sing bring an adult
Torah Study: 7 Genders
Rabbi Aliza Schwartz
Sanctuary
Did you know the Talmud speaks of 7 genders? Come study with Rabbi Aliza and explore this unexpectedly modern teaching — so perfectly timed for Pride Shabbat!
Adults and teens 13+
Session Two · 3:45–4:45 PM
Jewpardy!
Tammy & Craig Schneider
Blue Room (front half of former chapel)
The classic game show we all know and love — with a Jewish twist.
Adults and kids 12+
Improv without the Spotlight
Deborah Kronenberg
Yellow Room (back half of former chapel)
Come play! We'll dip our toes into the magic of improvisational theatre — playing games and exploring core concepts while making each other look brilliant!
Adults · kids 12+ on own · 10+ with adult
Soule Field Games
Jason Arenburg & Supervising Parents
Soule Field · 652 Hammond St, Brookline
Croquet, kickball, bocce, and cornhole. Shabbat stroll and playgrounds. Activities till 5:30 PM. Directions: Turn left out of parking lot · Follow Corey St approx. 0.7 miles to LaGrange St (slight right) · At the rotary, take the second exit onto Hammond St · Soule Field is 0.8 miles up on the left.
Children under 14 need a responsible adult
Mahjong
Sandy Coben, Elana Elstein, Joyce Wardle, Ruth Lederman
Social Hall
Players and beginners welcome! Sets provided — feel free to bring yours if you have one.
Teenagers and above
Backgammon
Eric Packer
Kiddush Room
Games for all levels. Boards provided.
All ages
Flex Time · 4:45–6:30 PM — Outdoor activities at Soule Field (till 5:30) · Mahjong (Social Hall) · Tea & relaxation (Yellow Room) · Backgammon (Kiddush Room)
Families & Children
This Shabbaton is designed to be multigenerational, with flexibility for parents
to participate in some activities with their kids or on their own.
There will be something for everyone! We welcome all who wish to attend.
Childcare (Ages 1–5)
Childcare will be available during morning services and afternoon programming.
Morning: 9:30–11:00 AM · Bride's Room, back of Sanctuary
Afternoon: 2:00–3:30 PM · Bride's Room, back of Sanctuary
Advance signup is required — please indicate your needs at registration.
Children's Service
A children's service runs during the 11:00 AM worship hour for ages 1–5 —
Bride's Room, back of Sanctuary.
Pricing
A Shabbaton belongs to the whole community. No one should stay home because of cost — and everyone has something to contribute.
Adults (13+)
$25
Full weekend
Youth (6–12)
$10
Full weekend
Children under 6
Free
All activities included
Pricing includes four meals — Friday Shabbat Rina and dinner, Saturday light breakfast, kiddush lunch, and Saturday dinner — plus childcare, programming, and all activities.
A Shabbaton belongs to the whole community. No one should stay home because of cost —
and everyone has something to contribute. We ask all HBT members to pay an amount
consistent with their financial capacity to help sustain our community. If the cost
of the Shabbaton would prevent you or your family from participating, please enter
the amount you are able to commit to at registration.
