All set for the Shabbat Project
THE Shabbat Project is back, and it’s promising to be bigger than ever with more than a million people worldwide set to participate in events on November 11 and 12.
THE Shabbat Project is back, and it’s promising to be bigger than ever with more than a million people worldwide set to participate in events on Friday, November 11, and Saturday, November 12. A global grassroots initiative, the project aims to unite Jews from all walks of life in experiencing one Shabbat together in full accordance with Jewish law.
Launched in South Africa in 2013, around 75,000 people took part. And by last year, almost a million Jews from 913 cities were involved, with the project already a staple of the international Jewish calendar.
Locally, the Shabbat Project Sydney partnered with 39 communal organisations planning more than 85 events with approximately 15,000 participants from across NSW.
This year, events coordinator Daniel Sekers joins Giora Friede as co-chair of the Sydney Shabbat Project, with the pair working to expand the reach of the initiative by partnering with more organisations than ever before.
“Daniel comes with a wealth of communal experience, and passion for the Shabbat Project,” said Peter Philippsohn, immediate past president of JCA. “He will be ably assisted by a team, including Rachel Swartz who managed the project last year.”
Sekers’ past experience includes working on the Sydney Olympics, Sydney New Year’s Eve, World Youth Day and the 2008 Papal visit to Australia.
“The Shabbat Project is a unique initiative, and it is one of the few events on the communal calendar that has meaning and relevance to the entire community,” Sekers said. “At the centre of the event is Shabbat, the powerful unifying concept connecting Jews all over the world.”
The focus in 2016 will be on localised events with an emphasis on challenging community groups to make the Shabbat of November 11 and 12 “extraordinary”.
Participants are encouraged to organise challah bakes, Shabbat dinners, lunches, speakers, learning groups, havdalah ceremonies, family picnics and more.
“The Shabbat Project has the mission to unify our broad and diverse community,” Sekers said. “It is an inclusive event that is accessible to all. We believe this forms a key role in driving Jewish continuity.”
To get involved, visit www.theshabbosproject.org/en/sydney or email Daniel.sekers@shabbatproject.org.au.
YAEL BRENDER
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