The Shabbos Project aims to unite

Imagine celebrating Shabbat as an entire community, not just in one synagogue or congregation. That’s the vision of the Shabbos Project, a global grassroots movement whose organizers hope to encourage Jews of all ages and from all traditions to experience a “complete” Shabbat together Oct. 24-25.

The movement originated in South Africa in 2013. And it’s grown from there. The expected participation this year includes Jews from 212 cities in 33 countries around the globe.

In South Africa, the event was promoted by the chief rabbi, Warren Goldstein, and it took hold of the community like many grassroots events where it was promoted as a one-time commitment. Reports say that a majority of the country’s 75,000 Jews participated. Many people celebrated Shabbat for the first time ever. The event worldwide is being organized from a central office in South Africa.

In the U.S., there are groups participating from cities including San Diego, California; Chicago, Illinois; Savannah, Georgia; Memphis, Tennessee; and Annapolis, Maryland.  Here in Rhode Island, a group is working to organize community events to give this worldwide celebration a local spin.

“This is a community project,” said Rabbi Raphie Schochet, who has been helping to organize the event and get the word out.  “This is an opportunity for Jews across Rhode Island to be a part of something bigger.

“Nobody’s looking over your shoulder,” he said. “At least commit to doing something that you’ve never done before.”

Locally, on Oct. 23, there will be a Challah Bake where up to 200 people will gather in the social hall of the Dwares JCC to learn to bake and braid challot. Community member Elissa Felder is coordinating a committee to make the event happen.

Roberta Schneider, who’s helping with that effort, said the idea that the small Providence community could be part of a worldwide event is exciting. “Observing Shabbat takes discipline and belief in something larger than the self.” So, she said, on Oct. 25, “our cell phones will be off … and work set aside for the other six days of the week.”

And that’s what the organizers are hoping will unite Jews of all observance. At sundown Oct. 24, participants are asked to consider celebrating a traditional Shabbat. Attend a Shabbat dinner, go to a service that you might not have attended otherwise. Turn off the cell phones and put away the electronics. On Oct. 25, plans are in the works for a community third meal or se’udah shelishit and a possible havdalah concert, both on the East Side of Providence.

“I’m totally excited about this event,” says Meital Cafri. “I’ve been keeping Shabbat for over a year now and it’s exciting to see what they did in South Africa. Shabbat is a peaceful break from my routine. I’m excited to get more people to participate in the wonderful Shabbat tradition.”

And in the southern part of the state, plans are in the works for options to participate in The Shabbos Project as well. Denise Rubin, a member of Congregation Beth David in Narragansett, said that although there hasn’t been much formal interest in her community as a whole, she and her husband will participate. “Since learning that Shabbat is really about the home, we are leaning more toward welcoming in the Shabbat Queen with dear friends in a comfortable atmosphere filled with love and joy of family and tradition in Narragansett.

Like others who were asked about the event by The Voice, she believes, “The Shabbos Project is a wonderful movement that has the worldwide potential for uniting Jews… to possibly bridge or lessen the gap between us all.”

For more information on The Shabbos Project worldwide, or to register, go to theshabbosproject.org. The website has links to informational YouTube videos that show last year’s celebration in South Africa and interviews with participants as well as Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein.

For local information, email rhodeisland@theshabbosproject.org or call Rabbi Schochet at 401-935-6867. Additional information is available at facebook.com/shabbosprojectpvd

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice