Fall Shabbaton
The Fall Shabbaton is an annual event that brings together the Maine Jewish community and friends from farther afield for a weekend of Torah study, soulful music, Shabbat meals, and invigorating connection. What started out as a Friday gathering has evolved into a full Shabbat of learning and singing, with intergenerational programs for college students, children and teens, and community members from across the state. Past guests have included Yoni Battat, Nefesh Mountain, Cantor Shayna De Lowe, Deborah Sacks Mintz, Neshama Carlebach and the Glory to God gospel singers, and Joey Weisenberg, as well as Talmud scholar Ruth Calderon. The Shabbaton is a partner program to the Maine Conference for Jewish Life, sustaining our community with Jewish learning and music as we enter the winter months.
2026 Fall Shabbaton
We are thrilled to welcome singer and songwriter Aly Halpert and violinist Eitan Kantor as the guest artists at our 2026 Fall Shabbaton. We hope you’ll join us in person at Colby College Nov. 6-7 for Shabbat services, dinner, learning, a gentle fall hike, classes, and so much more! Click below to register.
About Our Guest Artists
Aly Halpert (she/her) is a Jewish musician, educator, and activist living on Lenni Lenape land in Philadelphia, Pa. A singer, pianist, drummer, and guitar player, Aly writes songs for building community and visioning different worlds. She leads music and prayer for Jewish community, including Let My People Sing, Kol Tzedek Synagogue, Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action, and Hadar’s Rising Song Institute. Her songs have been sung in national gatherings, song circles, and quiet moments of personal prayer, and have moved people all over the world. Her first full-band album, Loosen, was released in April 2022 with Rising Song Records. Aly believes deeply in the power of music to awaken us to the loss and hope we carry, expand our sense of possibility, and connect us to each other and our collective strength. For more information go to alyhalpert.com.
Eitan Kantor is a musician, organizer, and composer based in Colorado. Through musical creation, he works to inspire social action rooted in Jewish values. Eitan is the music director of the Hebrew Educational Alliance, a Conservative synagogue in Denver. Eitan sings and fiddles with the dance band Upsherin and is a co-organizer of Denver’s monthly Klezmer and Balkan concert and jam session, Festo! Festo! Eitan participated in Hadar’s Rising Song Residency in 2019/2020. Learn more at eitankantor.com.
Shabbaton Schedule (subject to change)
Friday, November 6
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Arrival and Check-In | Foss Dining Hall
5:30 p.m.: Shabbat Dinner | Foss Dining Hall
7 p.m.: Kabbalat Shabbat Services with Aly Halpert and Eitan Kantor | Gordon Center for the Performing Arts
8:30 p.m.: Community Tisch with Eitan Kantor| Gordon Center for the Performing Arts
8:30 p.m.: College Student Program with Lauren Cohen, Director of Jewish Student Life at Colby, and Aly Halpert| Bobby Silberman Lounge
Saturday, November 7
8-9 a.m.: Bagel Breakfast, Coffee, and Tea | Diamond Atrium
9-11 a.m.: Shabbat Services: Reform and Conservative | Diamond
9-11 a.m.: Shabbat Prayer Walk with Rabbi Lorin Troderman | Meet in Diamond lobby
9:15 a.m.: Kids’ Shabbat Sing with Cantor Sheila Nesis | Meet in Diamond lobby
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Children’s Art Program | Colby Museum of Art
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Learn with Maine Rabbinical Apprentices | Four sessions in Diamond classrooms
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Shabbat Lunch | Foss Dining Hall
1:45-3:15 p.m.: Shabbat Hike and Song with Aly Halpert and Eitan Kantor| Runnals Hill
2-3 p.m.: Shabbat Zemirot/Songs of Shabbat with Cantor Sheila Nesis | Alumni Center
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Maine Rabbis’ Panel | Alumni Center
3:45-4:45 p.m.: Children’s Activity: Hebrew Games and Learning | Diamond Lobby or outside on the lawn
4:45-5:45 p.m.: Se’udah Shlishit Light Meal | Alumni Center
4:45-5:45 p.m.: Maine Roots Se’udah Shlishit with cocktails and mocktails | Alumni Center
6-7 p.m.: Havdalah, Music, and Dance with Aly Halpert and Eitan Kantor | Alumni Center
Accommodations
The Fall Shabbaton is a non-residential program. Many attendees enjoy staying in Waterville for the weekend. We have secured a block of rooms exclusively for Shabbaton registrants at the Best Western in Waterville.
To reserve a room at the group rate, contact the hotel directly and let them know you are attending Center for Small Town Jewish Life Fall Shabbaton.
Other hotels in the area include:
Additionally, there are inns and B&Bs in the area.
Fall Shabbaton Photos
