Keeping it Together for Israel

Solidarity, unity and strength of spirit were felt in abundance over the weekend as the international Jewish community marked the first Shabbat Project since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The Shabbat Project is an international movement that brings together Jews from around the world to keep one Shabbat together each year.

The theme of this year’s Shabbat Project was “Keeping it Together for Israel,” a sentiment that bore a special significance after the attacks in Israel on Oct. 7.

This year marks a decade since the founding of the Shabbat Project. Originally established in South Africa by Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, the movement has since spread to more than 1,500 cities across 100 countries. The grassroots initiative transcends divisions of nationality, age, lifestyle and religious observance by encouraging Jews to keep one full Shabbat together, from sunset on the first day to stars out on the second, according to Goldstein.

This year’s iteration fell on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, less than a month after terrorist organization Hamas killed over 1,400 people and took some 240 more hostage in a series of attacks across Israel.

Reflecting on the symbolism of the event, Goldstein called this year’s Shabbat Project “a sublime moment of global Jewish unity,” adding: “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.”

The Shabbat Project was marked in Israel against the backdrop of war. Thousands of Israelis took place in events across the country—there were more than 1,200 across the Jewish State–including drives to organize Shabbat dinners for evacuees, bake challahs for local shelters, and even mobile music cars’ to lift people’s spirits. More than 200 volunteer partners were involved, with Aharon Ackerman, who runs the project in Israel, stating: “Every group we approached came on board, and it was amazing to see how quickly partners put these events together.”

The initiative “gave people hope, solidarity, unity, making them feel part of the Jewish people,” said Itai Friedlander, who helped coordinate the Shabbat Project programs under Israeli NGO, Garin Torani. “This year, it was more than something nice – it was something essential.”

Goldstein echoed Friedlander’s sentiments, adding: “I’m in awe of the people of Israel. At a time when so many are conscripted, so many are displaced, so many are traumatized and disoriented by the attacks, Israelis demonstrate daily heroic resilience, and have shown that they want and need Shabbat, as a source of comfort and strength, and national and personal purpose.”

In North America, nearly 1,600 Shabbat Project events took place, run by almost 900 partners. Locally in Los Angeles, there was an outpouring of community support in celebration of Jewish identity and culture, including a challah bake attended by 800 participants.

“The Los Angeles community joined the Shabbat project this year with a full weekend of robust programming under the theme of ACHVA, said Rabbi JJ Duchman, Los Angeles Hillel program director and Hillel camp director. “From the challah bake all the way through the havdalah concert, we celebrated are oneness as a Jewish nation.”

Internationally, events were held in cities as far reaching as Strasbourg, Panama, Tokyo, Guadeloupe and Sidney. In addition to disconnecting from devices, spending time with family, attending synagogue services and engaging in spiritual reflection, members of the Jewish community attended specially organized events  across the globe including Shabbat buffets, meditation workshops, community dinners and Havdalah ceremonies.

 “Ultimately, these events happening around the world are a statement that we the Jewish people refuse to be defined by the hatred of our enemies,” said Goldstein. “That while a grim battle for survival rages on, we affirm our right to live as Jews, to celebrate our values with pride and confidence, to proclaim Am Yisrael Chai!”