Chinese Shabbat was a welcoming and delightful occasion, as is every Shabbat evening at Chabad. Chinese Shabbat was an insightful night as well. Rabbi Zevi reminded us of the many Jewish people that lived in Shanghai who escaped the Holocaust, including his own relatives. Shanghai accepted over thirty-thousand Jewish refugees during World War II. After Rabbi Zevi's reminder, the night felt like a time to appreciate the Chinese and what they had done for our people. It is important to experience other cultures and be able to adapt to the world around us especially when times of change do strike, while still retaining our Jewish identity.
Chinese Shabbat made a few changes to the usual Shabbat menu, such as wonton soup in lieu of matzo ball soup and large egg rolls instead of a more familiar dinner side. Courtesy of Miriam's hard work in the kitchen, Chinese Shabbat conveyed the ability to still have a beautiful traditional Shabbat, despite the bit of delicious, cultural change in food and all around feel.