African Shabbat has Lasting Effects

What began last year as a pilot project in a distant corner of the Jewish World – South Africa – has gained momentum and an energy of its own, uplifting and igniting communities throughout the world.

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein’s Shabbat Project inspired hundreds of thousands of Jews to keep Shabbat this last weekend in tens of countries and in hundreds of cities.

At Great Park Shul, Johannesburg, where shluchim Dovid and Feige Hazdan lead the community, Shabbat was ushered in with over 250 women lighting Shabbat candles together in the foyer of the Shul. They were addressed briefly by Leah Hazdan who spoke about the permeating power of light.

The Shul was packed to a capacity of 700 for the Friday Night Service. It was the perfect setting in which to announce the arrival of Shluchim Yosef Chaim and Itty Hazdan and their daughter Chaya Mushka who will be initiating and directing the Torah Institute of Johannesburg bringing the study of Torah to Great Park and beyond.

After the service, the entire community walked one mile in a huge expression of Jewish pride, to the street that had been closed for the dinner under the sky. The streets were over spilling with men, women and children marching in a celebration of the joy and serenity of Shabbos. As we walked, the numbers swelled with hundreds more in the neighborhood joining the procession like tributaries feeding into an unstoppable river in flood.

A system of flags reminiscent of the ancient Shul in Alexandria, helped direct the proceedings – Kidush…. Washing… Hamotzie…. Songs and Bentching at the unprecedented street dinner which catered to over 1000 seated guests in the middle of the street. One hundred tables in three long stripes traversed an entire city block.

Two ladies from the Great Park community – Loren Boolkin and Janice Blechman with help from their families coordinated the entire event. Clive Blechman – Chairman of the shul was pranked on radio that President Zuma was wanting to attend. Audio:

On Shabbat day, 450 congregants were addressed by Rabbi Chaim Mentz of Bel Air Chabad, California, who was in Johannesburg to officiate at a wedding. The community participated in the Kiddush and Cholent Luncheon and were treated to shiurim, a Farbrengen and stories and entertainment for the children.

And what happens next?

This coming Shabbat 20 inspired young couples will be returning to Great Park for a follow-up Shabbos experience.

At the start of the new academic year, a young lady whose family has continued keeping every Shabbos since last year’s Shabbos Project, will be joining the Chabad High School – The Torah Academy.

And thousands more stories throughout the world as the light continues to grow and glow.