Get set for the Shabbat Project
PREPARATIONS are well underway for this year's Shabbat Project in Sydney, which is set to be the most memorable and impactful yet.
PREPARATIONS are well underway for this year’s Shabbat Project in Sydney, which is set to be the most memorable and impactful yet.
Now in its fourth year in Australia, the highly anticipated event – which will be held on October 27-28 – is expected to attract more than 16,000 people participating in various activities across Sydney and the ACT.
This year’s organising team is headed by Daniel Sekers and Lauren Kavnat, along with a dedicated group of individuals focused on bringing to life the communal vision for the project. “There is no shortage of ways to be involved this year including cooking classes, havdalah concerts, meals, lectures and, of course, challah bakes,” said Kavnat.
She said one of the most memorable events of 2016 was the Kabbalat Shabbat on Bondi Beach.
“The feeling that was created when the community came together in celebration of Shabbat made you feel a deep sense of belonging, that you are a part of something bigger than yourself, your family or even your Sydney community,” she said.
“This year that feeling will be elevated to new heights. The Shabbat Project team is in full planning mode to make this year’s Kabbalat Shabbat event even more memorable and impactful.
“Bring the entire family and welcome in Shabbat at breathtaking locations in the east and south-east.”
Other key events include “Chefs of Shabbat” – a series of Shabbat cooking events with celebrated foodie personalities from the community, and a north shore havdalah celebration.
Last year saw more than 91 events take place across the city in celebration of the Shabbat Project. “Worldwide, the project continues to overwhelm all of us – evident in the huge increase in participation all over the world. We have almost 1152 cities involved in 95 countries worldwide,” Kavnat enthused.
She described this year’s project as a “weekend not to be missed”.
“With Shabbat-centric learning taking place, wonderful classes in different adult educational centres in preparation for the weekend, as well as our schools learning about Shabbat and its traditions, the anticipation for the weekend itself is mounting with something for everyone.”
Sekers said each year “we watch participation in the project grow more and more”.
“Whether it’s a small intimate Shabbat, or a grand affair, your participation brings the Sydney Jewish community together like no other communal event can. As Ahad Ha’am said, ‘More than the Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.’ Please join us and 1 million Jews across the world for The Shabbat Project 2017,” he added.
For more information, visit shabbatproject.org.au.
EVAN ZLATKIS
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