Israeli society is made up of Jewish communities from a variety of backgrounds as well as differing levels of participation in the rituals of Jewish life. It is possible to take the culture and language for granted and neglect the spiritual and religious dimensions of being Jewish in a Jewish state. At a community center in the town of Holon, near Tel Aviv, young people gather together to welcome Shabbat into their week. Most of these teens are not observant and dont light candles at home. Here they are shown sanctifying Shabbat and reading the blessings together. Across Israels many matnasim (Jewish community centers), programs exist to get less religious youth involved with the rituals and traditions of Judaism, although here the program is being attended almost exclusively by girls. The liturgical history of Kabbalat Shabbat, literally receiving the Sabbath originates from a tradition of a group of 16th century mystics living in Tzfat, a mountain city near the sea of Galilee, but has since become part of popular practice worldwide. Lekhah Dodi and other Psalms are chanted to welcome Shabbat like a bride. Shabbat is not just a day when labor stops  it is a time of physical and spiritual pleasures that is meant to remind us of the purposefulness of the world and our place in it.
What customs do you keep for observing Shabbat? How are they the same or different from your peers? What do you think about the statement, it is possible to neglect the spiritual and religious dimensions of being Jewish in a Jewish state? If so, how does this compare with observing Shabbat and keeping other Jewish customs in the U.S.A.?
Zion Ozeri explains what happened. Its always intriguing to find communities that sometimes number in the hundreds that decide to become Jewish and who dont claim any Jewish roots. I came with an assistant and as soon as I walked into the house, everyone started singing Heyvenu Shalom Alechem. I didnt expect them to be singing or to be so honored by my presence but obviously my visit was significant for them and made them feel included in this big tent of Jewish life. So thats why they were singing and clapping  And it was a bit of a surprise, and I wasnt sure if I was going to laugh or cry, because it was very touching but funny at the same time.
Ozeri continues, This community chose that they would become Jewish and some of them are converting, according to Halacha (Jewish law), and some of them have plans to immigrate to Israel. I arrived at mid-day, and after half an hour of just talking and taking some photographs, one of the leaders said something in Spanish, the only word that I understood was mincha. They started to pray mincha And they prayed flawlessly, women and men, and they knew the text. They were saying that one day they were hoping to buy a parchment Torah.