All your important Shabbat Project questions. Answered here!

The Shabbat Project – FAQs

Q: What is it?
The Shabbat Project is an international grassroots Jewish identity initiative that unites Jews to keep one Shabbat together.

Q: When is it?
The Shabbat of 24/25 October, 2014… but… in the 10 weeks leading up everyone is starting to prepare – their knowledge, their homes, their guest lists.

Q: Who is involved?
Almost the whole world! 170 cities, 11 time zones, 30 countries, dozens of languages. Observant to first-timers, young and old – the real question is… “who isn’t involved?”

Q: What do I need to do?
If you want to be counted in, sign up for updates and information on our website
shabbatprojectsydney.com.au. Pledge to Keep it Together.

Tell your friends about it, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram with our hashtags #keepingittogether and #shabbosproject

When you register, be sure to encourage every member of your family to do the same.

Q. Who is in charge?
We all are! This is a grassroots initiative – shules, schools and communal organisations are all participating; each in their own way.

There are hundreds of volunteers already hard at work in various committees from Challah Baking to Education to Home Hospitality.

Q. What is being organised?
The Shabbat Project organising team are offering four things:
1. Massive Community Challah Bake – Thursday Oct 23 @7.30pm
2. Shabbat Afternoon Activities – from 3.30pm – 6.30pm across Sydney
3. Havdallah Celebration – Saturday Oct 24 @ 8.45pm
4. Shabbat Showbags – with items on how to keep Shabbat, games to play with the whole family and ideas on how to enrich your experience. (limited numbers)

Shules are organising extra things on top of their usual services such as meals, guest speakers, tishes and fabregens.

Jewish day school teachers are collaborating to produce the best and most exciting Shabbat programs.

Community organisations are planning meals, functions, extra newsletters and special children’s programs.

Individuals have already begun planning big dinners and lunches for their friends, changed arrangements so that they are free on the Shabbat Project weekend and generally started to share their enthusiasm.

Q: Why do it?
By experiencing the magic of Shabbat, we give ourselves an opportunity to disconnect from the routine and challenge of daily live, focus on family and relationships and be part of a really extended Jewish family!

Q: Does it cost to participate?
There are only two ticketed events that have a nominal fee – the Massive Community Challah Bake and Havdallah Celebration.

This is not a fundraising project, it’s all about each of us connecting with the nearly 10,000 other Sydney-siders who will be Keeping It Together on 24/25 October.

shabbatprojectsydney.com.au

Can we count you in?