NYU hosts 'Shabbat for 2000'

Red, gold and white balloons hovered over tables brimming with all the challah bread, grape juice and chicken you could handle. Even though it had the feel of a Shabbat dinner, this was not your typical Sabbath meal.

Friday night, the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life hosted "Shabbat for 2000," or "S2K," at the Puck Building. A committee of more than 100 students planned the event - the largest student-run Jewish event in the United States - which offered a free dinner to anyone who wanted to see what Shabbat is all about.

"'Shabbat for 2000' is the time when the entire NYU community - students, alumni, parents, faculty and friends - come together to celebrate Jewish life at the university," said Cindy Greenberg, executive director of the Bronfman Center.

For the past 12 years, the event was called "Shabbat for 1000." This year, however, the name was changed to reflect the growing number of participants.

"I've seen a lot so far in my life, but I've never seen this many Jewish people at one time," CAS freshman Natalie Engdahl said.

The event drew students from across the city.

"It's in Manhattan, and the city is usually where a lot of people gather around for events," said Jonathan Tavakoli, a CUNY-Queens College sophomore, who attended the event.

"It's a collaboration of the Bronfman Center, Hillel and more than a dozen other student groups," Greenberg said. "This year more than 50 parents, alumni and friends of NYU made donations to support S2K."

Rebecca Oshins and Emily Grunewald, both NYU sophomores, were co-chairs of the event.

"Our goal was to engage the NYU community that does not usually attend Shabbat services, and to create a warm community where everyone feels comfortable and accepted," Grunewald said.

Tisch freshman Meg White, who was a volunteer at the event, said she wanted to participate even though she is not Jewish.

"Since I'm not Jewish, I wanted to experience a Jewish event because a lot of my friends are Jewish," she said.

NYU President John Sexton, the event's keynote speaker, had a difficult time keeping the packed house quiet - but he did make one point loud and clear.

"In my personal life, the spirit that is here tonight has made a very, very big difference," he said.

Sam Krentzman, Bronfman Center special projects coordinator, said the event was everything he expected.

"It looked like it was full of fun, happiness and community, and I think those were the things we were looking for, as well as a great Jewish experience," he said.