Shabbat Dinners – A Meal with a Feel.
“In the tempestuous ocean of time and toil there are islands of stillness where we may enter a harbor and reclaim our dignity. The island is the Seventh day, the Sabbath, a day of detachment from things, instruments and practical affairs as well as of attachment to spirit.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Background - Onward Israel Recommends
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Basic Shabbat Concepts for Friday Night
Shared in “A Meal With A Feel,” Onward Israel’s educational pamphlet designed to transform Shabbat dinner into a meaningful experience for all, this post provides an introduction to some of the basic Shabbat
The Sweetness of Learning & Suggested Texts
Shared in “A Meal With A Feel,” Onward Israel’s educational pamphlet designed to transform Shabbat dinner into a meaningful experience for all, this post provides poems, stories and short readings to learn together
60 Seconds: A Quick Idea
Shared in “A Meal With A Feel,” Onward Israel’s educational pamphlet designed to transform Shabbat dinner into a meaningful experience for all, this post suggests a thoughtful way to involve your guests in
Shabbat Spice
Jewish tradition speaks of a special “Shabbat Spice” that creates a unique flavor and spirit different from the rest of the week. Shared in “A Meal With A Feel,” Onward Israel’s educational pamphlet
The Importance of Eating Together: An Excerpt
This post presents excerpts from an article by Cody C. Delistraty about the significance of the social aspect of mealtime and how this is expressed in different cultures around the world. Complete with
Oneg Shabbat: Enjoying Being Together
Shared in “A Meal With A Feel,” Onward Israel’s educational pamphlet designed to transform Shabbat dinner into a meaningful experience for all, this post provides resources for creative Shabbat-appropriate games and activities to
Shabbat-O-Gram: A Sweet Gesture
Shared in “A Meal With A Feel,” Onward Israel’s educational pamphlet designed to transform Shabbat dinner into a meaningful experience for all, this post suggests preparing sweet, individual “Shabbat-O-Gram” blessings for each guest
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Informative Articles & Videos.
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Rabbi A.J. Heschel: Shabbat as a Sanctuary in Time
An excerpt from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s “The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man,” this profound article explores the unique role of time in Judaism. Whereas other religions sanctify space, objects or people,
OneTable Shabbat Dinner Guide
Created by OneTable, a grassroots organization whose goal it is to help people enjoy Shabbat dinners together, the guide (39 pages) to the Friday night dinner experience provides both inspiration and optional formulae written for
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Music.
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Yom Shishi by Hadag Nachash
The song Yom Shishi (4:24) by popular Israeli band Hadag Nachash describes a typical Israeli weekend and the sense of relief and joy that accompanies it. See the chorus in Hebrew below. For
Little Presents by Rami Kleinstein
This sweet, poetic song (3:43) by Rami Kleinstein paints a picture of the warm associations that come along with Friday and Shabbat for many Israelis, whether religious or not. See chorus in
Shishi BaTzohorayim by Eyal Golan
The song Shishi BaTzohorayim (3:48) by Eyal Golan speaks of the typical weekend experience for many secular Israelis, especially in the summer months—trips to the beach, beer, paddle ball, and romance! See chorus
Kobi Oz: Prayer for the State of Israel
This video presents Israeli musician Kobi Oz’s original version for the Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel. Born in the southern city of Sderot to Tunisian parents who moved to the British Mandate of Palestine in
Ehud Banai Singing Benzion Shekner’s Melody for Psalm 23
In this audio recording, popular Israeli singer, Ehud Banai sings Psalm 23 using the famous melody composed by Ben Zion Shenker in 1946. Psalm 23 – Mizmor l’David / A Psalm of
Shalom Aleichem as Debbie Friedman’s Legacy
This article by Debra Nussbaum Cohen relays how Jewish American singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman‘s haunting melody for Shalom Aleichem became a staple in many North American Jewish homes since her death in 2011. As
Menucha Ve-simcha
Often printed as the first of the Friday night repertoire of table songs (zemirot), this composition of unknown origin praises the “rest, joy, and light” that Shabbat heralds for the Jews. “Those who
Yah Ribon Olam
This song, usually grouped among those for Friday night, is a Shabbat favorite even though its content is not Shabbat-specific. This popular rendition of Rabbi Israel Najara’s Aramaic poem from 16th-century Safed and
Shabbat Sweet: A Unique Melody for Shabbat Candle Lighting
In this video, Billy Kaplan offers a unique rendition of the blessing over the Shabbat candles (starting at 1:05), including a post-blessing message of hope. In his blessing, the singer replaces the name
Yigal Bashan: Likrat Shabbat (Hebrew)
This song, written by Avi Koren and performed by Yigal Bashan, is an Israeli classic describing the atmosphere of a traditional Friday night Shabbat dinner. It contains references to common Shabbat rituals, including the
What else?.
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Time Saving Shabbat Menus
This practical article provides links to recipes for complete Shabbat dinner and lunch menus designed for busy cooks who want to make special, delicious and impressive Shabbat meals, but simply don’t have the
57 Shabbat Dinner Recipes You’re Going to Love
This article from The Nosher, a Jewish food blog, provides links to more than 50 delicious recipes for Friday night dinner, including creative twists on traditional dishes as well as brand new ideas
The Israeli weekend in 70 seconds
This short clip (1:15) walks us through a typical Israeli weekend with its variety of colors, flavors, and feels. Whether religious or secular, Arab or Jewish, all Israelis love the weekend!
What does Shabbat mean for Tel Aviv?
This fun clip (2:22) put out by the Birthright Israel Alumni Community demonstrates the special associations people have of Shabbat in Israel, whether religious or not. The makers of the video take to the
An Orthodox woman prepares for Shabbat in Jerusalem
This wordless video clip (1:41) takes us along for the journey as an Orthodox woman in Jerusalem shops, bakes, and makes her weekly preparations for Shabbat. Set to the heartwarming music of Aaron Razel,
The Sabbath Queen: A Poem by Hayim Nahman Bialik
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of “Sabbath Queen,” a poem by Israel’s national poet, Hayim Nahman Bialik, about welcoming Shabbat. This poem is included in many alternative Kabbalat Shabbat
Bread from the Earth: Food Justice Ceremony
This ceremony, meant to be performed before the blessing over the bread, encourages people to contemplate the source of their food, the process it went through to get onto the Shabbat table, and
Zelda: To Light Candles in All the Worlds
In this poem, the modern Hebrew poet, Zelda, describes the meaning of Shabbat candles. Her understanding of the Shabbat candles as a reminder of the redemptive power of light reflects our tradition’s understanding
Shlomo Carlebach: The Shabbat Candles Story
In this 12 minute long audio recording, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach tells an inspirational story, centered on the Shabbat candles. A narrative of hope and resilience, the story is about a young couple he met