Chabad at UC Berkeley hosted Mega Shabbat on Memorial Glade on Friday, featuring 17 different collaborating organizations and drawing approximately 500 attendees.
The first Mega Shabbat was held last year, established in honor of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s birthday and Education and Sharing Day. The holiday was created in 1978 in honor of the teachings of Schneerson, who is often called the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and focuses on a commitment to quality global education. Chabad intends to hold the event every year, according to the co-director of Chabad, Bracha Leeds.
While not a collaborator of the event, members of the Berkeley Hillel Jewish Student Center were also in attendance.
The event hosted a series of speakers, including two survivors of the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks who gave testimonials on their experiences. Eliya Cohen, who was held by Hamas in captivity for 505 days, spoke alongside his partner Ziv Abud; both of them were 26 years old on Oct. 7.
Abud described seeking protection in a bomb shelter as Hamas militants proceeded to throw grenades and fire bullets into the shelter. While a soldier in the shelter was able to throw out some of the grenades before they exploded, many died and others were taken hostage, Abud said. She said she survived for hours underneath bodies in the shelter.
Cohen detailed surviving underground for months in Hamas captivity with little to no food or water.
“The most important day in captivity for me was Friday because I knew no matter how hard the situation was, my family was making Kiddush with huge smiles,” Cohen said, in reference to Shabbat dinners held on Fridays in the Jewish tradition.
Cohen described his release from captivity and his reunion with Abud, who he believed had died during the attacks more than a year before.
Before Oct. 7, 2023, Cohen did not speak English, but rather learned the language during his time in captivity from a fellow hostage.
Chancellor Rich Lyons was also in attendance and gave an opening statement at the event.
“Berkeley is made better by your belief in and commitment to values that we share … Chabad’s expansion and growth today, there can be no doubt that our university benefited from the Rebbe’s visions,” Lyons said.
Rhea Kohanteb and Joey Karlan, who are currently serving as interim presidents of Chabad while the president is abroad, also gave speeches.
While at the podium, Karlan announced his intentions to run for ASUC Senate.
After the speeches, students enjoyed Shabbat dinner with challah, grape juice and various dishes. Shabbat candles were also available for attendees to light.
“There will always be pain in your life. But if you are looking for the good, you will find it,” Cohen said when describing realizations he experienced during captivity.