Over 200 young Jews from all over Europe are expected to travel to Bucharest, Romania, the location for this year’s 'Just One Shabbat' weekend organized by the European Centre for Jewish Students (ECJS).
Luxury, elegance and indulgence will be in no short supply at this event which will take place December 30th 2010- January 2nd 2011.
Participants will stay in a 5-star hotel based in the heart of the city, they will have the chance to discover historical Bucharest as well as visiting the city’s modern and trendy hot spots.
A very special Shabbat will be celebrated in one of the most beautiful countries in Eastern Europe and an internationally renowned band Or L’Israel will be flying in from Holland especially for the event for the Saturday night New Year’s ball.
According to ECJS, participants keep on coming back to events not only for the great trips and exciting locations but more importantly for the warm, welcoming atmosphere and life-long friendships that are made every time.
"I came by myself without any friends. In Europe, it is especially difficult to make contact with someone you don’t know but not at ECJS events. This is like one of the most amazing things you can experience," says Arie Weissmann from London.
Not only is Bucharest the jewel of Eastern Europe, it is also steeped in Jewish history.
Jewish sites that the participants will be visiting include the Choral Temple, the Jewish museum and the Jewish cemetery.
Before WWII, the city was home to over 100,000 Jews but today they are only around 4,000.
Local Jewish student groups in the Romanian capital will also be able to experience a weekend in a wonderful Jewish environment.
Based in Brussels, ECJS works to bring together Jewish students and young professionals, aged 18 to 35, in order to preserve and unify the Jewish European society.
The organization holds five main events a year all over Europe as well as arranging services and meals for Shabbatot and holidays, an annual Birthright trip to Israel.
A sister organization, JEP (Jewish European Professionals) is to be launched in early 2011 and is to cater specifically for single Jewish young professionals aged 27-38.
For more information on Just One Shabbat, visit www.newyear.ecjs.org or call 0032 22803765.