Enhancing Shabbat at Home
The Day of Rest at Home
For the OKC community, a key part of Shabbat has been coming together with friends and neighbors. We engage in Jewish study, schmooze, and we pray together several times over the course of Shabbat.
In the time of pandemic, though, we are limited in our ability to join together for these practices. Shabbat thus falls even more heavily on our practices and customs in the home. The Religious Activities Committee (RAC) is developing resources to aid our members in observing Shabbat at home. As part of this effort to facilitate home observance of Shabbat, three new initiatives are being launched.
OKC Shabbat Resource Guide: A collection of book recommendations and websites that provide basic information on Shabbat, guides to Friday night and Shabbat morning practices such as kiddush, motzi, and Havdalah; and websites that contain z’mirot (songs traditionally sung at the Shabbat table).
The Friday Night Seder: An 8-week class, over Zoom, that provides information about – and opportunities to practice – the customs and laws of Shabbat home observance. Classes cover topics such as preparing for Shabbat, lighting candles, welcoming Shabbat with song, family blessings, and the prayers and rituals that accompany the festive Friday night meal.
Sharing Shabbat - Discussions over Zoom: No matter how you’ve been having Shabbat at home, it can be useful and interesting to hear how other people do it. Join periodic Sharing Sessions to discuss each other’s Shabbat practices, with the intent of learning different approaches and enjoying each other’s experiences, practices, and tips. Sessions are planned for select Sundays at 7:30PM. Topics include:
Shabbat Around the World: sharing our unique Shabbat experiences
Songs of Shabbat: sharing Z’mirot (songs) and Niggunim (tunes)
Friday Night at Home: Making Shabbat Special: customs, rituals and family stories
Shabbat Food Customs: sharing our favorite food traditions
Shabbat Movement & Spirituality: integrating physical movement and body awareness into Shabbat prayer and home observance
For more information about these sessions, please refer to the OKC Calendar or contact Sharon Gelboin-Katz.
The Religious Activities Committee would appreciate your feedback on this project. To share your comments, contact Glenn Farber.
Sun, September 24 2023
9 Tishrei 5784
Resource Materials
Classes
Shabbat Friday Night Home Observance: A How To Class April 6 - June 1
Shabbat Sharing: Encouraging Home Observance April 11 - June 20
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday ,
SepSeptember 27 , 2023A conversation about "Golda"
Wednesday, Sep 27th 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Insights from OKC member, Dr. Marvin Feuer, about the movie “Golda” and the impact of Golda Meir’s leadership during the Yom Kippur War. -
Friday ,
SepSeptember 29 , 2023Friday Night Lights in the Sukkah
Friday, Sep 29th 6:00pm to 9:00pm
A special teen-only evening in Rabbi Helfand's sukkah. All 8th-12th graders welcome! RSVP Deadline Sept. 20th -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 3 , 2023Brunch in the OKC Sukkah with Rabbi Helfand
Tuesday, Oct 3rd 10:30am to 11:30am
Annual Hazak event. Catch up with friends and hear about summer travels. Study session will include how traveling is connected to the sukkah.