Shabbat Project projected to reach record one million Jews in Israel 

“There’s a spiritual revolution happening in Israel, an outpouring of people wanting a deeper connection to Shabbat,” says Shabbat Project founder, and South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein.

The 2025 Shabbat Project, taking place on November 7–8 (Parashat Vayera), will unite Jews from all walks of life across 1,500 cities and 100 countries to celebrate Shabbat in a spirit of joy and unity.

In Israel alone, more than one million people are expected to take part.

A new national survey commissioned by the Shabbat Project found that 94% of Israelis see Shabbat as their key moment for family connection, 89% view it as central to Israeli culture, and 72% as a unifying force between Israeli and Diaspora Jews.

“As we offer gratitude to God for the final release of all our hostages and a fragile ceasefire emerging from Israel’s great victories, this year’s Shabbat Project is dedicated to the heroes of our people and to the Divine gift of Shabbat that has held us through it all,” says Rabbi Goldstein.

He pays special tribute to hostages and soldiers who kept Shabbat “defiantly, tenderly, faithfully,” even in captivity or under fire.

Israel is the global hub of this year’s Shabbat Project, with mass challah bakes, family Shabbat meals, outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat events, and IDF base gatherings across the country.

More than 9,000 “Shabbat is a Gift” family kits will be distributed, encouraging families to switch off their phones and reconnect.

Through the educational organization Zehut, the Shabbat Project has engaged with schools nationwide, with 100,000 students bringing home learning materials and kits reaching over half a million Israelis.

Highlights include a rooftop challah bake overlooking the Kotel and a mega open-air Kabbalat Shabbat on Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard, followed by a citywide Havdalah concert.

Across North America, synagogues, schools, and campus groups are hosting Shabbatons, communal dinners, and learning programs through partners, including the Orthodox Union, Aish, Chabad, Olami, and NCSY.

In New York, 2,500 college students will gather for a mass Shabbaton in Crown Heights.

Around the world, communities from Buenos Aires to Geneva, London to Sydney, and Casablanca to Dubai will join in – from challah bakes and family dinners to concerts and public Havdalah events. Even Tahiti is participating for the first time.

This year’s theme, “Shabbat is a Gift. Be Present” invites millions to “Switch off your screens. Switch on your life.”

Participants are encouraged to place their phones in dedicated pouches from sundown on Friday to nightfall on Saturday, disconnecting from devices to reconnect with people and purpose.

“The great social struggle of our generation is the epidemic of distraction that comes with constant access to screens,” says Goldstein.

“But with Shabbat, the Divine wisdom of the Torah anticipated this long ago. For 25 hours, we rediscover the joy of conversation, the warmth of family, the glow of candlelight – the peace that fills our souls when we allow ourselves to simply be.”

Celebrities and influencers, as well as former hostages Ohad Ben-Ami, Raz Ben-Ami, and Elkana Bohbot are championing the campaign.

“Shabbat is the heartbeat of our people, the Divine gift that has carried us through generations,” says Goldstein. “This year’s Shabbat Project is a call to Jewish pride and unity, to rally around Shabbat and declare to the world: Am Yisrael Chai!”