International Sabbath

Being Planned

SOUTHBURY — Just about everyone has dreamed about world peace.  Everyone has an idea on how to achieve it.  Now, Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest CT, the local branch of international Jewish outreach giant Chabad-Lubavitch, is doing something about it by participating in a One Shabbat, One World international event.

“Every human being has his or her vision of Utopia,” says Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach, Chabad’s director. “In Judaism, the Sabbath day of rest on Saturday is more than just a religious holy day on which we don’t work, it’s a practice run for living the spiritual life right here in this material world. And that’s a huge part of what Utopian world peace is all about.”

Men, women and children are invited to join the local celebration on Friday, January 18, beginning at 6 pm, at the Crowne Plaza, 1284 Strongtown Road (Route 188). Guests will attend Chabad service  and enjoy the time-honored Friday night dinner, complete with classic Jewish cuisine like Challah and chicken soup, Matzah balls and kugel.

Admission is $18 for adults, $10 for ages 10 and under, and a family max of $54. Reservations are requested, and can be done online through ChabadNW.org/one or by calling 800-297-6864.

The One Shabbat, One World international initiative (OneShabbatOneWorld.com) will ask worldwide Jewish communities and individuals to mark the 25-hour Shabbat beginning Friday, January 18. Participants will light the traditional Shabbat candles on Friday eve and/or attend prayer services.  They will also be invited to “test-drive” the time-honored Shabbat meals, complete with the customary chicken soup, kugel and other Jewish delights.

Shabbat, the Biblically-mandated Saturday Sabbath and one of the “Ten Commandments,” or essentials of Judaism, consists of not working from sunset Friday afternoon until nightfall Saturday night.

Sabbath-observing Jewish communities have always historically enjoyed the respect of their neighbors of other faiths, says Rabbi Eisenbach. “While the Sabbath may be a Jewish thing strictly for Jewish people, there’s no question it positively impacts other people.

“We believe strongly in the ripple effect, a sort of spiritual chaos theory, when it comes to changing the world into the better place it can and should be,” he continued. “When the Jewish person observes the Shabbat, he or she creates a stable home, an anchor of absolute values in today’s chaotic world.  A stable home creates stable neighbors, then a stable neighborhood, then a stable city, and ultimately, a stable universe.

“Besides being an island in time, a retreat from the hubbub of society, Shabbat is an absolute in a world filled with uncertainty, change and confusion – a world that so desperately needs absolutes,” he added. “What’s a better way to ignite world peace than to clear a peaceful time in your life once a week?”

The local offering of One Shabbat, One World is one of the many programs sponsored by Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut. For more information about this event, other upcoming opportunities or even about Chabad Lubavitch NW CT, visit ChabadNW.org or call 800-297-6864.