Shabbat Project Provides Needed Rest in Atlanta
The third annual Shabbat Project came just in time for many in Jewish Atlanta, providing a way to go forth from the bitterness of the election Nov. 8 into the promised land of spirituality, celebration and global fellowship. Unaffiliated with any stream of Judaism and welcoming all, the Shabbat Project had an estimated 1 million participants in 1,150 cities across 94 countries.
In Atlanta, one of 543 U.S. cities involved, the festivities started Thursday night, Nov. 10, with about 1,500 women and girls preparing challah at the Cobb Galleria, continued with events such as a block party Kiddush lunch outside Congregation Beth Jacob midday Saturday, and concluded with a Havdalah concert featuring Israeli-American hasidic band Simply Tsfat at Congregation Ariel.
“We’ve witnessed an outpouring of emotion across the Jewish world as Jews from all walks of life have embraced the Shabbat Project, putting aside their differences and gathering together in a spirit of love and unity,” said South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, the founder and director of the project. “There is a real thirst worldwide for true Jewish unity and for a genuine connection to Judaism. And people really resonate with the way Shabbat carves out a sacred space of tranquility and togetherness amidst the frenzy of modern life.”
Look for more about the Shabbat (or Shabbos) Project’s success in next week’s AJT.
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