Every year, for the first Shabbat after the December vacation, the Pasadena Jewish Academy invites Jews from across the S. Gabriel Valley and beyond to partake in a full 25 Hour Shabbaton retreat. If you are from out of town we invite you to stay with family and friends or take up hotel accommodations as part of your registration. If you live locally we invite you to join us from your home for a full program. Our goal is simple,  that you should walk out knowing more about your Jewish heritage than you did walking in. So join us for the whole 25 hours or just come for the Musical Havdalah service. It’s your call!

You can choose to join us either for the full 25 hour program or just for a part of it. Come Friday night for a lavishly catered dinner, accompanied by beautiful Shabbat songs led by our cantor in residence and inspirational words by our guest speakers and local rabbis. Shabbat day includes breakfast, melodious prayers and a 3-course luncheon. The afternoon brings a combination of stimulating workshops and presentations complimented by a sing-along cantorial concert. Finally we end Shabbat with musical Havdalah accompanied by live music and group singing and kick it all of with a farewell dinner.

Absolutely not. The Pasadena Jewish Academy invites Jews from all over California to join in celebrating a Shabbat of exploration and learning in a an all-inclusive environment.

Not at all! The regular Chabad of Pasadena community consists of people who consider themselves reform, conservative, traditional, modern-orthodox, ultra-orthodox, converts, hassidim.. you name it! As for us, we don’t believe in labels. We believe a Jew is a Jew no matter his/her background or level of observance. So leave your labels at the door 🙂

David Sacks is a comedy writer, Originally from New York City, David moved to LA after graduating Harvard. As a comedy writer, he has worked for many popular shows, including “The Simpsons”, where he won an Emmy, and “Third Rock from the Sun”, for which he won a Golden Globe. David is the co-founder and Senior Lecturer of The Happy Minyan in LA. Rabbi Eli Rivkin is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and is a third generation Chabad Shliach. As the spiritual leader and co-director of Chabad of Northridge in the S. Fernando Valley, he is beloved for his warm inviting attitude and articulate teaching style.

and community chaplain at.

Yes. Details on this year’s children’s program have not been released yet but we will be sure to send out an email when they are. There will not be a children’s program throughout the entire duration of Shabbat, but there will be entertainment for the little ones during key program times.

There is a cap registration fee of $149 (excluding accommodations) for families. This rate can be selected during registration and the details of your family members should be specified in the comment section. Please note this rate includes two adults and as many children as necessary for the full 25 hour program.

Sure. Please note that we do not guarantee this will become an option. Please register as a single guest and if an appropriate roommate comes up we will be sure to get in touch!

Not to worry! At Chabad of Pasadena we live by the motto ‘no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.’ Please get in touch with us using the contact us tab at the top of the page.