Coming Together: The Shabbat Project, Midburn Festival, and InDNegev
Jewish Spirituality in Food and Music
Jewish spiritually exists outside the four walls of a synagogue found in the weekly rituals and everyday lives of the community. Every week Jews around the world come together at the Shabbat table for food, singing, and family. We are reminded of the importance of fostering good relations with one another. That it is necessary to not only feed our bodies but feed our emotional bonds.
This October in Israel you can experience the full scope of Jewish spirituality through community, Shabbat food, and plenty of music. Sit down at an international Shabbat table or head out to the Negev to experience a variety of music festivals hosted in Israel’s holy desert (InDNegev & Midburn).
InDNegev: Israel’s Reigning Indie Music Festival
The desert has always been a place of discovery and transformation for the Jewish people. What better place than to discover the newest and brightest of Israel’s music stars. Held near the historic Mitzpe Gevulot InDNegev gives independent Israeli artists the opportunity to reach a wider audience. This festival is truly a mix of any and all upcoming and traditional Israeli genres. This year’s lineup will include Jasmine Mualem, Mercedes Band, Lola Marsh, Red Axes and many more.
After the pandemic year these artists are bursting at the seems to showcase the fruits of their labors. Performances are held at six different stage venues and the camping accommodations for this year have been stepped up. Festival patrons can expect a bar complex and multiple food vendors from across Israel. Music forms and strengthens a community spirit. So come together for some good times and great music at InDNegev. This three day long music experience begins on September 30th so don’t wait too long to buy your tickets!
From the Desert to Dessert: The Shabbat Project
The Jewish people are an international nation. For this reason you are likely to find a Shabbat dinner in any country you’ll visit. Oftentimes most Shabbat dinners are “open invite.” This contributes to the formation of new connections, making strangers into friends. The Shabbat Project is one such dinner that goes the extra mile to connect Jews from around the world with a cholent pot. Hundreds of participants gather every year (both online and in person) to dine together and share in the spiritual joy and connection of Shabbat.
Whether you are alone for Shabbat, need advice on hosting your own dinner, or seek other Friday night loving people this event is all you need. This year’s Israeli Shabbat Project will take place on October 22nd in Kohav Yair. However, events will be hosted both online and in person around the globe. Be sure to check out The Shabbat Project on their website for a full list of all upcoming events near you.
Midburn Festival: Shabbat Spirit in the Holy Desert
Community and gratitude are the twin pillars of Jewish spirituality. This is something that is practiced at the Shabbat table and also at this year’s Midburn Festival on October 25th. This five day extravaganza in the Negev was conceived around the same ten principles developed by Burning Man creator Larry Harvey in 2004. These are immediacy, leaving no trace, radical self reliance, radical inclusion, radical self expression, participation, gifting, decommodification, communal effort, and civic responsibility. This year’s theme is “return” symbolizing a return to community life, creativity in numbers, and artistic participation in a post pandemic world.
To its attendees, the Midburn Festival is considered to be much more than a music event in a holy desert. During those five days an entire city and culture is created out of thin air. The festival even has its own language expressed through dynamic symbols. There are no spectators or visitors in Midburn. Everyone is an equal participant in creating and maintaining the artistic joy of the city. In many ways the Midburn Festival can be compared to a spiritual pilgrimage. At the end of the journey the large wooden sculptures that adorned the desert landscape are set on fire. This honors two of the ten festival principles, to leave no trace and community participation.
Sparks of Creation
Spirituality is rooted in every part of creation but none more so than in food and music. As human beings we pour ourselves into our creations. When we eat a meal someone has prepared for us or listen to a piece of music they have composed we share in their spirit. These are also some of the most intimate activities we can share with others. Experiencing good food and good music together can break down the highest walls between people. So generate some spiritual sparks of creation into your life and don’t miss out on these amazing Shabbat and Israeli music festival experiences!
