By Robin Meyerson
A former hostage captured by Hamas, freed after 55 days in captivity.
A Nova Festival survivor who spent his birthday thankful that by some miracle, he and his girlfriend had survived the horrors of the day.
And a college student at Columbia University who endured physically violent protests on campus following the events of October 7.
All of these people, despite the trauma they endured, were moved and inspired to observe Shabbat. For each of them, Shabbat was a way to build interpersonal bonds, away from the screens of their phones, and a beacon of hope for a better future. They derived strength from the global Jewish community that connected them, through the gift we have all been given: the gift of Shabbat. You can learn more about them and their stories here.
In the midst of so much hatred and uncertainty, Jews around the world are looking to Shabbat as a source of comfort, joy, and resilience, and as a reminder of what it means to be a Jew.
Now, we turn to you and invite you to join them in embracing the gift of Shabbat.
One step you can take today: Sign up to be a part of the Shabbat Project 2024, which will take place from November 15-16.
And Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein, the creator of the global Shabbat Project, has an additional (complimentary) gift for you – his new book; Shabbat A Day To Create Yourself, is available for distribution – request it here and become part of a global learning movement, with 60,000 copies of the book in circulation around the world, available in English, French, Hebrew, and Spanish. We encourage you to use this book as a tool to learn with family, friends, and coworkers. This is a book about values, mindsets and happiness, and how Shabbat holds the divine formula for happiness.
Join us. Let’s keep Shabbat together.
Shabbat Shalom,
Robin Meyerson, Shabbat Project North America, Office of the Chief Rabbi of South Africa
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