Shabbat San Diego will be celebrating its fourth year of inclusive, uplifting, spiritually inspirational activities Oct. 26-28. While the San Diego Jewish community will participate together, it will be connected to more than two million others globally from 90 countries also celebrating International Unity Shabbat.
“We anticipate 20,000 members of the San Diego Jewish community uniting and engaging in this collectively meaningful religious and spiritual experience,” said Michelle Lyons, this year’s co-chair of Shabbat San Diego.
“Individuals, families and friendship groups and more from 130 organizations including synagogues, schools, community organizations and youth groups, will come together with one positive purpose — to celebrate a weekly tradition that has been observed by Jews for more than 3,500 years — the holy Shabbat.”
In Chula Vista, Temple Beth Shalom Religious School and Chabad of Southern Chula Vista are partnering with Shabbat San Diego this year.
The weekend spectacular begins on Oct. 26, a Thursday, when men, women and children from all walks of Jewish life are invited to join a challah bake of their choice scheduled throughout the county. Challah is the traditional braided bread with rich meaning that is a part of every meal on Shabbat and holidays.
Participants will be provided with the necessary ingredients and personalized instruction on how to braid the dough to take it home to bake, serve and savor with family and friends.
“The heart of our momentous program is Shabbat, which begins at sundown on Oct. 27, a Friday, and ends at sundown on Oct. 28, a Saturday,” said Tamara Klein, this year’s co-chair. “Following prayer services at local synagogues throughout San Diego on Friday evening, Shabbat San Diego will match guests with many congregations and private host homes to enjoy a richly prepared Shabbat dinner.”
A special highlight this year is a communal Shabbat dinner at the San Diego History Center that will include a tour of the Celebrate San Diego! The History and Heritage of San Diego’s Jewish Community exhibition.
To cap off the array of heartwarming offerings, on the evening of Oct. 28 there will be a Havdalah concert, free of charge, featuring the internationally celebrated Moshav Band, followed by an open dessert reception for all attendees.
“Havdalah is a personally meaningful ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat and welcomes the coming of a new week,” Lyons explained.
To participate fully in these activities, Shabbat San Diego requests everyone register by going to https://shabbatsandiego.org/.
Temple Beth Shalom is located at 208 Madrona St., Chula Vista. Call (619) 420-6040 for more information.
Chabad of Southern Chula Vista is located at 944 Camino La Paz, Chula Vista. Call (619) 836-0770. Visit the website at www.JewishChulaVista.com.
Shabbat San Diego is underwritten by the Mizel Family Foundation and includes additional major sponsors such as the Leichtag Foundation, San Diego Private Bank, Sunroad Automotive, Isakow Foundation, Westfield and the Jewish Federation of San Diego County.
Shabbat San Diego
Shabbat San Diego is an independent grassroots, community-wide, inclusive and egalitarian organization of volunteers dedicated to encouraging the entire San Diego Jewish community to participate in an international Jewish identity event.
Shabbat San Diego is part of International Unity Shabbat taking place in more than 1,200 cities and 90 countries around the globe. The goals are for each individual to have their most meaningful Shabbat yet, together build a unified community, and enjoy global identity, pride and solidarity.
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