Taking joy in the Jewish sabbath spirit

Every Friday observant Jews head to temple for Shabbat, the weekly day of rest begins at sundown and continues until sundown on Saturday. On March 9, thousands of Jews across North America will take part in a special Shabbat.

The National Jewish Outreach Program started Shabbat Across America 22 years ago, and since then it’s spread to roughly 500 synagogues, temples, hillels, schools and military bases across the United States and Canada, including 28 on Long Island, according to Rabbi Elly Krimsky, the organization’s program director.

“Shabbat Across America is an opportunity to unify all types of Jews across the country,” Krimsky said. “We encourage people to invite people who may not normally come to temple. Then ideally, they have a learner’s service followed by a nice meal.”

The program began at the Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York City with Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, who was the synagogue’s director of education during the 1970s and ‘80s, and he is currently the director of NJOP.
“At the time it was modeled after Hands Across America,” Krimsky said. “The benefits of it, first of all is very practical, people join the synagogue. They may not have been involved but they meet wonderful people and they come back and become active members.”

In the Five Towns, Temple Beth El and the Sephardic Temple, both in Cedarhurst, and Temple Israel in Lawrence are hosting Shabbat Across America events.

Eddie Edelstein, the executive director of Temple Beth El, said that he hopes their event can spread, “The joy of Shabbat.” “We hope that some people who haven’t experienced Shabbat before get a little taste, and that we can infuse some spirit into the regular attendees,” he said.

Both Edelstein and the Sephardic Temple’s assistant rabbi, Rabbi Steven Golden, said that their temples have been participating from the beginning. Golden said they often see the extended families of regular attendees at these events. “Besides serving as an introduction for people who haven’t experienced Shabbat,” he said, “its primary purpose in our community is to serve as premier event for fellowship to celebrate Shabbat.”

Temple Hillel in North Woodmere is also participating, as Rabbi Steven Graber said that they have since he joined them 15 years ago. “I would say the best part is the camaraderie,” he said. “It’s food, it’s homey, it familiar. How can you say no to a chicken dinner and friends.”

Krimsky sees Shabbat Across America as an opportunity to spread their message about Shabbat to all manner of Jewish people. Shabbat derives from the Ten Commandments; Jews rest and abstain from doing work or using technology.

“Society is addicted to technology,” Krimsky said. “It affects our relationships, and Shabbat is a way to spend the day with friends and family unbound by technology. To spend real quality time with family and friends, it’s a game changer, a chance to think about the big picture.”