By Bat-El Lieberman, Jewish Enrichment and Culture Facilitator
This past Shabbat, Keshet celebrated The Shabbat Project, a global initiative encouraging people everywhere to observe Shabbat and open their doors to others. At Keshet, we embraced this vision through a community-wide celebration that blended Jewish traditions with our commitment to inclusion and growth.
Keshet was founded on Jewish values, and we seek to incorporate those values into our programming in ways that are meaningful for all. Our participants celebrate Shabbat each week, whether through Shabbat music with Rabbi Herst at our day schools or Shabbat dinner at our residential homes. While every Shabbat may look different, it reflects our values of inclusion, community and connection—core to Keshet’s mission.
The Torah commands us to “keep” and “remember” Shabbat (Shamor V’Zachor), and at Keshet, we fulfill this command by honoring Shabbat in ways that meet the unique needs of each individual. Serving people with diverse abilities means adapting these traditions, so everyone can experience the joy and meaning of Shabbat in their own way.
This Shabbat was even more special because we dedicated it to the memory of a dear Keshet participant, Dovi Porush, z”l, who recently passed away. Remarkably, his English and Hebrew birthdays fell within the week of The Shabbat Project. To honor him and embrace the traditions he cherished, our programs engaged in activities that are uniquely Shabbat.
In line with the teachings of this week’s Parsha (Torah portion), Vayeira, we focused on the theme of hospitality. This passage is all about the importance of welcoming guests and extending kindness, a value that resonates deeply in our community. This week, GADOL team members and students at Keshet’s schools explored this theme, reflecting on how we can open our hearts and our doors to others. High school and transition students packed Shabbat candles for distribution at a local kosher grocery store, with Keshet adults assisting in the process.
In memory of Dovi, participants shared memories, prepared challah and took loaves home to bake for the weekend. On Friday night, our residential programs came together for Shabbat dinner, culminating in a musical Havdalah service led by our rabbi on Saturday night. We also made braided Havdalah candles, hoping their light would honor Dovi’s memory and spread peace.
At Keshet, we create meaningful traditions that foster connection. Our Shabbat may look different, but it is filled with the beauty of ancient traditions, inclusion, and a commitment to growth. Because at Keshet, we forever grow.
