Johannesburg—The Shabbat Project, an international movement that brings together Jews from around the world to keep one Shabbat, is gearing up for its most important year yet. In the wake of the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks, this year’s message is “Keeping it Together for Israel.” From sundown on Nov. 3 to nightfall on Nov. 4, participants are invited to keep Shabbat together as a demonstration of Jewish pride and Jewish unity, and a message of solidarity with Israel.
“Our brothers and sisters in Israel are under attack. Lives have been lost, families shattered, and many are suffering the horrors of captivity. These barbaric attacks launched by Hamas were not about borders or political objectives – they target the very existence of the Jewish people,” said Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of South Africa and the founder of the Shabbat Project. “This war is about who we are and what we stand for – an ongoing attempt to uproot our eternal values and history. We must let the world know that we will not succumb, submit, or forsake our eternal values. It’s no coincidence that Hamas attacked on Shabbat – Shabbat is who we are. It is the very soul of the Jewish people. Therefore, this year’s Shabbat Project is a call for every Jew in every corner of the globe to keep Shabbat from sunset. A sublime moment of global Jewish unity. One people. One heart. One Shabbat.”
Despite the war, Israel will participate in The Shabbat Project as it does every year.
“We will continue to hold events,” said Aharon Ackerman, who runs the project in Israel. “They may look slightly different – in Ofakim, for example, events are being planned in shelters, to protect residents from missile fire and security concerns. But we will continue to move forward.”
“We are in awe of the bravery and strength of the people of Israel,” said Chief Rabbi Goldstein. “We are not only ‘keeping it together for Israel,’ we are keeping it together with Israel.”
Since its inception in South Africa in 2013, The Shabbat Project has grown, under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Goldstein, into a global phenomenon. This year, an estimated one million people, in over 1,500 cities across 100 countries, will participate in various activities such as challah bakes, learning groups, community dinners, Havdalah ceremonies and Shabbatons. In combination with these unity events, The Shabbat Project encourages participants to observe Shabbat – lighting candles, disconnecting from devices, not going to work, enjoying festive family meals, attending synagogue services, and engaging in spiritual reflection.
Some of this year’s specific unity events include:
Israel
- Shabbat dinner in a Jerusalem hotel for evacuees from the north and south
- Challah bake in Eilat for evacuees
- Distributing thousands of challahs, candles and Shabbat food to families with a parent in military service.
- Providing supplies to 60 shelters to bake challah.
France, Switzerland, Belgium
- More than 400 events, with a focus on students and young professionals
- An initiative to host Jewish Ukrainian refugees in the Strasbourg community
- A coordinated reading of Chief Rabbi Goldstein’s book, “Shabbat: A Day to Create Yourself,” by 6,000 people throughout France.
The Caribbean
- A community-wide Shabbat observance planned in Guadeloupe in solidarity with Israel.
North America
- A “unity Kiddush” held jointly by five synagogues in Atlanta
- A “Shabbat shuk” and a Shabbat meditation workshop in San Diego, various events expected to reach thousands of Jews across the political/religious spectrum
- Multiple open-invitation Shabbat buffets with Kiddush throughout Boca Raton neighborhoods.
Central America
- Pairing families together for Shabbat meals and distributing “Shabbat Kits” in Panama.
- Video: Panama challah bake
Asia
- A community-wide Friday night dinner in Tokyo, with proceeds going towards a fundraising drive for Israel
Join The Shabbat Project on Nov. 3-4 and experience the power of global connection at a time when we need it most.
For more information about the Shabbat Project, visit: www.theshabbatproject.org.
ABOUT THE SHABBAT PROJECT: The Shabbat Project is an international movement that brings together Jews from all walks of life and all levels of observance to keep one Shabbat, celebrated in a spirit of global Jewish unity. The Shabbat Project was founded by Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein, who has served as South Africa’s Chief Rabbi since 2005, is a qualified dayan, and a senior member of the National Religious Leaders Council of South Africa. The Chief Rabbi has a PhD in human rights and constitutional law and is a published author of five books, the most recent of which is Shabbat: A Day to Create Yourself.
