The concept is simple: Jews from all walks of life, from across the spectrum – religious, secular and traditional, young and old, from all corners of the world – unite to experience one full Shabbat together, in full accordance with Jewish law.
The Shabbat Project is a global, grassroots movement that brings Jews from across the world together around the shared heritage of Shabbat. The initiative was originally introduced in South Africa in 2013, and during that time, Jews were brought together in unprecedented ways.
It provides an opportunity to rejuvenate family and community life, restore Jewish pride and identity, and strengthen Jewish unity across the globe. The Shabbat Project is about creating a new Jewish future based on Jewish unity, pride and values.
This year, the Shabbat Project will be held on Nov. 11-12. There will be more than 2 million Jews participating in 75 countries around the world. In the Valley, there are many organizations holding services, dinner or lunch in honor of the Shabbat Project, either in their location or individual homes. There is a listing of Shabbat Project event partners at shabbatprojectaz.com.
The Great AZ Challah Bake
An event that precedes The Shabbat Project is The Great AZ Challah Bake. For more than a hundred generations, Jewish women throughout the world have fulfilled this beautiful and life-transforming mitzvah of making challah.
During this annual event, more than 500,000 Jewish women and girls will come together worldwide to make challah and learn about the special message behind this Shabbat bread. The event began two years ago in the Valley, “Last year we had over 1,000 women participate in the Challah Bake at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. The first year, we had 600.” says Esther Bronsteyn, Program Administrator for Phoenix Community Kollel.
Nancy Nachman shared about her experience at the Challah Bake, “The spiritual ritual of hundreds of women coming together in one night to bake challah together moved us beyond words. It is something we do every year now, and it helps us remember the magic of Shabbos in our own homes.”
The Great AZ Challah Bake for women and girls, ages nine and up, happens Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Doors open at 6 pm and the event begins at 6:45 pm. Register online at shabbatprojectaz.com/great-az-challah-bake or by calling 602-433-0300 ext. 105.
There is also a Mega Challah Bake event planned in Tucson on Nov. 10 at 7 pm. The Tucson Jewish Community Center (the Tucson J) will partner with Chabad Tucson for the Mega Challah Bake at the Tucson J Ballroom, 3800 E. River Road, Tucson. This is the third year that the two organizations will collaborate to bring a part of the grassroots Shabbos Project to Tucson.
The evening provides an opportunity for a multi-generational group of women and girls to learn to make, knead and braid challah, the traditional bread of Jewish holiday and ritual. More than 300 women are expected to attend.
Baking challah is a time-honored mitzvah, or blessing, dating back to the Jewish Matriarchs. Traditionally, a woman makes blessings while preparing the dough, and these are believed to bring joy into our homes and into the lives of friends and family. The Tucson J has recently launched a Shabbat initiative that encourages families to learn about and incorporate Sabbath observances in their homes.
The event is open to women and girls, ages nine and up. Early Bird tickets are $18 at MegaChallahTucson.com. After November 1, tickets are $25. Sponsorship of a full table is $225 (9 tickets) and enables those who may not have the means to participate as well. Register at MegaChallahTucson.com.
