Limmud Shabbat Candle Lighting 2019 Joy Unity Diversity Jews South Africa pre-Covid Shanah Tovah

Shabbat Shalom. Shanah Tovah.

Joy, Unity, Beauty, Friendship fill the Shabbat candle lighting ceremony at Limmud Conferences. This video was filmed at Limmud Conference in Johannesburg in August 2019. 

Limmud's core values of inclusivity & diversity are demonstrated at Shabbat candle lighting events. You can see & feel community building in action. 

Great ruach (spirit), excitement & warmth fill the atmosphere at Limmud.

In September 2020, Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year) coincides with Shabbat making the New Year even more powerful. But in 2020, Rosh Hashanah takes place in the shadow of the Coronavirus Pandemic. 2020 has been an unsettling time.

Saving lives is an extremely high social & religious value. Limmud in person events were cancelled in 2020. Limmud events moved online as everyone stayed home.

Synagogues in South Africa closed for months, closing in the week of 18 March 2020.

South Africans slowly began emerging from 6 months of physical isolation & lockdowns of different levels that ran from 27 March to 20 September 2020. 

In September 2020 synagogues started to re-opened but they were restricted to a maximum of 50 people who must all wear masks & practice social distancing.
 
This year Yom Tov will be strange, unusual and quiet.

In contrast to the isolation, this video shows a wonderful, good memory that acts as a vision of a better future.

We are looking forward to a New Year, a Shanah Tovah, where people may congregate & celebrate life and community in health, peace & freedom. 

"L'Shanah Tovah Ketivah v’chatima tovah”
May you be Inscribed and Sealed for a Good and Sweet New Year!


Musicians: Saxophone Leigh Nudelman Sussman. Guitar: Avi Levy
© Video: Carolyn Saks