Our Shabbat Schedule

Shabbat is a very special time at Camp, the week's highlight for many CYJers. It's a time when we step back from our normally action-packed schedule and relax, stay in the moment, and connect with each other more deeply. No one in the world does Shabbat quite like CYJ-Texas, which could explain why so many alumni think back on it so fondly.

CYJ is a Shomer Shabbat camp, meaning we don't use electricity or fire, write, play instruments, or do any other creative work from Friday night to Saturday night. Normal activities end early on Friday afternoon, giving the camp time to pick up the grounds and change into their best Shabbat outfits.

Before Shabbat begins, the Camp gathers for the Kabbalat Shabbat Show. After preparing all week, campers in the dance, music, and video electives perform and display everything they learned for the community in our Beit Ha'am. We continue into evening services, followed by a delicious Shabbat dinner (chicken, matzah ball soup, potatoes, challah, mmmmm….). When everyone is full, campers divide by age into different oneg activities around the Camp.

After a late wake-up Shabbat morning, we assemble for breakfast and morning services. Campers can choose from various t' fillot (prayer) options ranging from an Orthodox minyan to a traditional Young Judaea service and even to a nature walk service. The Camp regroups for the Torah reading (a selection of three segments from that week's parsha ), followed by a Parsha Play (a riveting skit performed by our most theatrical staff).

The rest of the day is full of relaxation and Shabbat-friendly activities, including swimming, resting, and games. Saturday evening, we gather for a moving Havdallah, the service that marks the end of Shabbat. But we're not going to bed until after Saturday night fun, where the whole Camp joins in a rousing session of Rikud (Israeli dancing). See below for our list of Rikud songs from the summer!