Shabbat is one of the most recognised Jewish holidays in the world. Whether you celebrate it weekly with your family, or you haven’t kept it since your youth movement days, everyone has a Shabbat story to tell. And while the challah-filled, candle lighting day of rest is familiar to almost all of us, it’s amazing how many interpretations it seems to have too.
In honour of The Shabbat Project happening on the 15th and 16th of November, where the Sydney Jewish community will join 1,000,000 Jews from around the world in celebrating Shabbat, we asked 4 different people what Shabbat means to them and how they enjoy experiencing Shabbat. Their unique answers might surprise you!
Experiencing Shabbat through four sets of eyes.
Rabbi Alon Meltzer, Director of Programs at Shalom
- What does Shabbat mean to you?
Shabbat is both a time to switch off and connect with family and friends. And as a Rabbi it’s an intensive day of work… I get up and preach “take a break” but I would probably be fired if I heeded my own advice.
- Do you celebrate Shabbat?
Yes. Big meals with friends and family. Shul. A great sermon if I may say so myself. And a good schluff. Plus herring, can’t have shabbos without herring.
- Can you tell us about one special Shabbat you remember?
One of my most favourite Shabbats would be at Bnei Akiva camp growing up. There was a palpable change in the air, and it was always uplifting.
- Do you think Shabbat is changing in today’s day and age?
Obviously it has. People are less willing to release themselves from their tech. But I think in today’s world, it’s even more important to engage with Shabbat. It is the ultimate pause.
Justine Saidman, PJ Library and Sydney Jewish Writers Festival Director.
- What does Shabbat mean to you?
Rest and relaxation and a break from the craziness of the week.
- Do you celebrate Shabbat?
Yes, I eat and sleep and eat some more and entertain.
- Can you tell us about one special Shabbat you remember?
Every Shabbat is special.
- Do you think Shabbat is changing in today’s day and age?
Nope. If anything, I think that a proper Shabbat is more needed today than ever before.
Heidi Krowitz, Shalom Program Manager
- What does Shabbat mean to you?
A time to connect with all my friends and loved ones
- Do you celebrate Shabbat?
Every Friday night and some Saturdays. I used to keep Shabbat properly and really loved how it made a space or pause in my week to have more reflection and fun with people who meant a lot to me.
- Can you tell us about one special Shabbat you remember?
My first Shabbat I hosted I had a table of 30 friends having fun and eating till all hours, can’t believe how much we all ate and laughed.
- Do you think Shabbat is changing in today’s day and age?
With programs like The Shabbat Project, it creates more opportunities to make Shabbat more accessible. But I approach Shabbat as a time to be with my friends and people I feel I can have fun and reconnect with which is why I am so excited to be working on the Sha’Box project.
Wendy Dolowitz, Shalom Program Manager
- What does Shabbat mean to you?
A time to pause, stop and reflect on the week that was. - Do you celebrate Shabbat?
Yes but in a traditional sense – light candles on a Friday night, say the kiddush and eat challah. But I don’t keep Shabbos in the religious sense.
- Can you tell us about one special Shabbat you remember?
My most memorable was Shabbat in Israel at the Kotel – it was authentic, spiritual and an experience that will always stay with me,
- Do you think Shabbat is changing in today’s day and age?
I don’t necessarily believe Shabbat is changing but the pace of life has definitely changed, with more demands and constraints on our time. It’s difficult for me to take a day out of the week to dedicate to Shabbat when I work full-time, my children play Maccabi netball on a Saturday and it’s most often the day I go to the shops and get what I need plus carry out errands.
If you’re looking to do something a little bit different this Shabbat Project (15-16 November) but don’t quite know where to start, book a Sha’Box. Just like Hello Fresh (but we like to call it Hello Fress) it delivers everything you need right to your door, so you can cook a delicious and easy Shabbat lunch for your friends and family, including a gourmet meal curated by famous chef Elijah Holland. Sign up now, here so you don’t miss out on experiencing Shabbat!
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