In the Jewish tradition, Shabbat is observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, and it serves as a reminder to rest and take a break from daily tasks, often focusing on relationships with God, family, friends and community members. 

"The point of the event is to bring the Jewish community together, and the non-Jewish community is invited as well," Benzion Shemtov said. "It’s beautiful for even students that aren't Jewish to come out and see and celebrate another culture."

Shemtov is the co-director and Rabbi at Chabad, MSU’s Jewish center. As he spoke to attendees, he talked about Shabbat giving students and faculty a chance to hit the pause button between classes, exams and anything else pulling away at their time.

"This is a moment to breathe, reflect and connect," Shemtov said. "It's not just about resting, it's about recharging our souls and remembering that we're part of something bigger, a tradition that's been uniting our people for so long."

After an hour of mingling and indulging in matzah ball soup, Rabbi Shemtov invited everyone to their tables and began dinner with a speech. 

"This gathering is a testament to our Jewish Spartan community which we bring together once a year," he said. "Tonight we’re bringing Jewish pride and unity right here, celebrating our tradition that kept us strong for thousands of years."

Chabad President Alex Mison spoke next following Shemtov’s speech. As she graduates in a few months, Mison reflected on her time at MSU and how her community has supported her. 

For Mison, being Jewish at college hasn’t always been easy. There were times she felt isolated hearing about the heavy things happening in the world while in class, she said. However it’s connecting with her Jewish peers at Chabad that has helped her feel less alone. 

"I realized that being Jewish isn't just about what we face, but it's what we build," Mison said. "It's the joy we create, the traditions we carry forward, and the community that we strengthen together. Because Jewish life at MSU isn't just something that we experience, it's something that us students shape with every meal shared, every holiday celebrated and every new person that we welcome in."

She said that despite challenges, it’s the foundation the Spartan Jewish community has built that keeps them strong and proud. Mison then called for everyone to grab the glow stick on the table in front of them and connect one large ring with all those that attended. 

As they shut off the lights, a green and white light illuminated the room. 

"Every single glow stick, every single connection in this room, represents something powerful," Mison said. "We are not just individuals, we are one people standing together. We are one light that shines, no matter how dark the world may seem. Hold those glow sticks high, see what we've built, feel the strength in this room, we are part of something unbreakable. This is a light inside each of us, a light that will never be extinguished."

She then honored the hostages that remain in Gaza, saying that there are families who can no longer light their own Shabbat candles, so the attendees lit candles in their honor. 

"For those who are still waiting to come home, those in need appealing and those whose lives were taken, may our light bring hope, strength and remembrance," she said. "We also hold in our hearts the brave souls standing on the front lines, defending our people and our future with courage and strength."

After her speech, sophomore Zion Rozin led the room in a prayer for Israeli soldiers.

They also honored Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner, the students who were killed in the 2023 shooting on MSU’s campus. 

As the speeches came to a close, everyone shared a multi-course meal that ended with an Israeli dessert buffet. 

For political science sophomore Eli Raykinstein, it’s events like these on campus that are so important for the Jewish community. 

"I think it just reminds us all that we're together, even if you don't feel it at a certain moment," Raykinstein said. "At the end of the day, we're all able to come together and be resilient in the face of everything that's going on, to lock arms and show that we're proud to still be Jewish, and we're not gonna hide away from it."