“We’ll Sing and Dance To the Sky, With Our Spirits So High”
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
SAN DIEGO–With chaos, conflict and confusion so continually evident in our lives more and more, how can anyone find peace these days?
“Shabbat can do that.”
That’s the inspirational mantra Shabbat San Diego 2016 begins and ends its planning meetings with and stirs the souls of all who are involved in bringing this worldwide event to our city once again this year.
There are more than 100,000 Jews who live in San Diego County, and with only 17% of our community affiliated with any of the 100+ Jewish organizations, Shabbat San Diego has its job cut out for it to help promote and advance the spiritual growth and unity of our community. But we believe, like Margaret Meade, that “committed people can make change happen.”
One such change-maker is Michelle Lyons, a member of the Steering Committee of Shabbat San Diego 2016.
I had a chance to interview this busy North County community leader, wife and mother.
What is Shabbat San Diego?
Said simply, to borrow from the global program’s description, “Me, you and Jews all over the world experiencing one complete Shabbat together.” Shabbat San Diego is a global opportunity for Jewish people to observe Shabbat individually, as a member of the San Diego community and as a connected part of worldwide Jewry.
We here in San Diego have a magnificent structure of more than 50 committees comprised of the most passionately driven people, designed to deliver our world-famous Challah Bakes, Gala Havdalah Celebration Concert, Shabbat Dinners and numerous post Shabbat events throughout the coming year.
When and how did it begin?
Jews from all types of Jewish identity – religious, secular, traditional – from all corners of the world, all ages and lifestyles, united in 2014 with impetus from South Africa, and kept a complete Shabbat. Last year, more than 1,000,000 Jews from approximately 900 cities in 84 countries came together to unplug and keep Shabbat together. It was a people’s movement from the beginning, the brainchild of South Africa’s Chief Rabbi, Dr. Warren Goldstein.
How successful was Shabbat San Diego last year?
We did a survey of the 15,000 San Diegans who participated at the end of last year’s event and found that 99% of respondents said they’ll be participating in 2016. What’s more, 90% said they had a “meaningful spiritual, emotional or educational experience.”
On a 1-5 scale, our overall rating from last year was 4.65. Interestingly, nearly a third said they had a full, halachic Shabbat and another 34% said they had a partially halachic Shabbat. Perhaps the best news was that a third said they were inspired to become more involved in their Judaism and nearly 60% said they were now interested in participating in new Jewish learning experiences.
How successful was our Shabbat San Diego last year. Extraordinarily successful!
What’s the purpose, the goal of Shabbat San Diego?
On November 10-12, we in San Diego will link with Jews from all over the world and will join together in celebrating a complete Shabbat as we light candles with joy and care, lighting up the world with peace, rest, awareness, pleasure, spirituality, happiness, enjoying old and new friends, and of course savoring good food. I can’t think of a better purpose. Our purpose is to ignite and connect people with their inner Jewish soul. After all, this is what Shabbat can do, right?
What’s the message of SSD?
Come together to experience Shabbat as a mitzvah in our time. Shabbat can have so many positive effects on you and your wellbeing, especially your spiritual growth. It’s a welcome day of peace and rest, a very special time with family and friends, an opportunity to unplug and to reconnect with nature and those that you love. It’s a time “to raise our spirits so high.”
The message is also carefully designed to inform all members of the San Diego Jewish community that you are joyously and warmly invited to join as one and fully experience the peace, happiness and love that comes with keeping a complete Shabbat together, with no judgment, no gossip, nothing but welcoming arms and open doors, and a special seat at the table.
With all of our hearts blending, all of our voices ascending, together, united, heaven will surely open.
How will you know if Shabbat San Diego 2016 is successful?
The more people who grow spiritually, who have never done it all but who have learned more, the more who attend and have a complete and personally meaningful Shabbat experience, the more we will have succeeded and achieved and even surpassed our goal. We anticipate 20,000 participants at this year’s Shabbat San Diego program.
When did you become involved?
I was inspired by Rabbi Goldstein in South Africa three years ago when he kicked it off. Watching the YouTube videos of Shabbat tables lining the streets and communities of women making Challah together and people being inspired to observe Shabbat for the first time or more observantly, that inspired me. So when a good friend asked me to take on a role I was excited to get involved and when I met the genuine, intelligent, motivated, group of volunteers who put this effort together in SD I was hooked.
Is there room for more volunteers?
Always. The more volunteers who join our efforts the more we can reach new participants who can have a new or enriched experience leading to an increased spiritual connection to our faith, to G-D and to each other.
Just go to our website www.shabbatsandiego.org and sign in to attend or to get involved and volunteer.
Is this for “religiously observant” Jews only?
The simple answer is of course not. While we call it Shabbat San Diego, others around the world call it The Shabbat Project or The Shabbos Project. It’s inclusive with room for whatever you call it. Shabbat is a gift from G-d to all Jewish people. This is a physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, communal and personal adventure for all of us who will be keeping it together regardless of one’s background or experiences in Judaism. It’s our community’s binding spiritual link for all to join under just one banner.
Michelle, thanks so much for taking the time to help introduce us to Shabbat San Diego, coming this year on November 10-12.
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Dr Michael Mantell, based in San Diego, provides coaching to business leaders, athletes, individuals and families to reach breakthrough levels of success and significance in their professional and personal lives. Mantell may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com Comments intended for publication in the space below must be signed with the letter writer’s first and last name and his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the U.S.)