The Shabbat Project Goes Global: Thousands Unite Across Continents

Shabbat Around the Globe
Tens of thousands of Jews from around the world made it just in time to join the million participants who took part in the international Shabbat Project. Initiated by South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, with the support of passionate volunteers, the week was filled with challah-baking events for women across dozens of international locations.

Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, Miami, Melbourne, Sydney, Cape Town, Manhattan, and cities across Israel were just a few of the places where Jewish communities participated in keeping Shabbat, many for the very first time. Most participants identified as secular or unaffiliated, making this a historic experience of connection and renewal.

In Israel alone, over 300 Shabbat-related events and challah bakes took place. The global numbers were equally inspiring:

• Johannesburg, Miami, and Buenos Aires each hosted challah bakes with 5,000 women

• Melbourne gathered 2,500 participants

• Sydney welcomed 2,000

• Cape Town, one of South Africa’s three capital cities, saw 1,000 women participate

The Morning After: Lasting Impact, Real Connection
So what happens the day after a Shabbat that transcends backgrounds and borders? The Shabbat Project team turned to their Facebook page, Keeping It Together, to find out. The page received over 550 likes, and the comments poured in:

• Rami Ronen: "Well done.  We had a wonderful Shabbat thanks to your initiative!"

• Meital Loger: "Thanks to you, I met a new family of kind, generous people who happily opened their home to us. It was a beautiful Shabbat atmosphere. No phones, no TV. The kids played calmly. We had grown-up conversation. A pleasure. Thank you."

• Rachel Chaimov: "A wonderful Shabbat!"

• Yaakov Cohen: "It was a beautiful Shabbat! Thank God, we felt strengthened."

• Avishai Aviani: "Let’s do it again, Jewish people, let’s do it again! You're incredible!"

• Claire Even Ezra Castel: "Totally joyful!"

Conclusion
The Shabbat Project didn’t just bring people together for 25 hours. It created memories, built bridges, and awakened something deep in the Jewish soul. Whether it was someone keeping Shabbat for the first time, families opening their homes, or women gathering to bake challah with thousands of others, the message was clear: Shabbat belongs to all of us.