Shabbos where you least expect it

SIMON APFEL

“I have no synagogue around. No chazzan. No Jewish community. I know only Muslims and Christians. It will not be too difficult to understand why at times I feel lonely and discouraged,” says Ayodele. 

“Then last year, I heard about the Shabbos Project. This year, on Parshat Vayera, I was still alone. But in some ways, I wasn’t. This Shabbat was different somehow. Every Shabbat is special, but at the time of the Shabbos Project, with Jewish communities all over the world uniting to observe the Sabbath, it seems to elevate our world.

“The Sabbath is a rich, full blessing from G-d, and a source of light and comfort to the Jewish people and the world as a whole. In the aftermath of the great tragedy in Pittsburgh, as we struggle to come to terms with hatred and evil and anti-Semitism that still persists, may the Torah and its great teachings continue to shine a light of peace, hope, and spirituality, even here in Nigeria.”

Ayodele was just one of more than one million Jews in 101 countries and 1 503 cities and towns who came together for the Shabbos Project last weekend. 

In Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, home to the spectacular Iguazú Falls whose thunderous roar can be heard for miles around, the Shabbos Project was celebrated at a backpackers. This region is particularly popular with young Israelis, many trekking through South America during the early summer months, following their army service. Sandra Balaban runs a quaint backpackers lodge called Bait Kasher catering for specifically this demographic.

Over 26 and 27 October, she decided to include her 30 young Jewish guests, many of them unfamiliar with Shabbat practice, in a full Shabbat experience.

“The group was made up of young Jews of all colours and levels of observance,” says Balaban. “On the Friday morning, I showed the girls how to make challah. The boys, meanwhile, helped clean fish and make salads. Everyone was involved in doing something lijvod [for the honour of] Shabbat. There was great joy and enthusiasm in preparing for Shabbat, and knowing that we are all part of a large family worldwide taking part in the Shabbos Project.

“At the time of Kabbalat Shabbat, we made space to hear the rhythms and customs of each – Ashkenazi, Teimani, Moroccan, and Kurdish. The next day, after a delicious kiddush with some local delicacies, we ventured out to the Hito Tres Fronteras, a beautiful, world-famous spot, not too far from the lodge, situated at the juncture of three countries – Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

“We returned for Mincha and a Seuda Shlishit full of songs and stories, followed by Havdalah and a Melave Malka [post-Shabbat celebration] with pizza pies.

“When Shabbat ended, I turned on the wifi, and a very excited, young Israeli, not religious, made a WhatsApp call to his family, sharing the joyful news that he had kept a full Shabbat.”

A few thousand kilometres north-east, Jewish soldiers stationed at the Coalition Military Base in northern Iraq, and at Camp Arifjan and Camp Buehring in Kuwait, celebrated the Shabbos Project with special Shabbat meals.

“Here on the Coalition Military Base in northern Iraq, nobody is going to be joining us who we don’t already know,” said Chaplain (Maj) Shlomo Shulman in a video sent to the Shabbos Project headquarters in Johannesburg just before Shabbat. “But I think it’s just so cool to reflect on the fact that here in Iraq, we will be joining Jews around the world celebrating this Shabbat together.”

Following Shabbat, he wrote:  “Our small community here got together at the chapel on the base, where we sang Kabbalat Shabbat and talked about the parsha. Afterwards, we made kiddush, and then hamotzi on matza that came in the mail from New York, and feasted on matza ball soup, cans of gefilte fish, and other Jewish delicacies. It was just a great feeling to be a part of the Shabbos Project, and feel a closer connection to our brothers and sisters all over the world.”

Rockland County New York is a much less obscure Jewish community. But one particular event held there was similarly exotic. Dubbed Shabbasanah, the weekend of “meditation, prayer, Torah teachings, massage, and movement” was led by qualified yoga instructor, Bracha Meshchaninov. Participants stayed in her home or at local BnBs. Nine were new to keeping Shabbat.

“People joined us from Brooklyn, Baltimore, Washington DC,” says Meshchaninov. “There were ‘locals’ from nearby communities like Suffern, New City, Nyack, and Monsey. We even had two guests from Los Angeles.

“Our programme included a prayer session on Shabbos morning, guest speakers at all three meals, two very gentle, almost meditative, yoga classes during Shabbos, and a post-Shabbat dance class followed by a bonfire Melava Malka. There was also a yoga workshop on Sunday, and of course, really great food throughout!”

Arguably the most “out there” Shabbos Project event took place on the “rooftop of Africa”, 13 000 feet (3.96km) above sea level. It involved a group of adventurers from all over the world summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Four days into the eight-day trek, the group set up camp at Barranco Wall, where they brought in Shabbat with Jews worldwide.

Upon arrival, the group constructed an eruv. All participants elected to observe Shabbat, and special Shabbat meals were organised in advance.

Group leader Perry Sugarman described the experience. “By around 5pm you could feel the buzz of excitement around camp as everyone prepared for Shabbat. At 6pm, we gathered in the mess tent to start Mincha and a very special Kabbalat Shabbat above the clouds. We proceeded to sing and even dance our way through a beautiful and exceptionally memorable Kabbalat Shabbat service.

“The next morning, the dulcet tones of our resident chazzan could be heard echoing around Barranco Wall for all to enjoy. Shabbat Kiddush was made over some prized whiskey, and everyone enjoyed a well-earned rest and an afternoon of chatting and card games.

“We ended our Shabbat with a beautiful Havdalah service and lots more singing and dancing. It was an unforgettable and intensely spiritual Shabbat.”

“The response from around the world has been overwhelming and heart-warming, and shows the remarkable depth and reach of the Shabbos Project,” said South African Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, the founder and director of the Shabbos Project.