“As such, it would seem counterproductive to continue having ShabbatUK at that time. While there is no perfect time, the weight of preference is clearly in favour of ShabbatUK taking place at the beginning of March. With this in mind, I have made a decision that I firmly believe to be the right way forward - the next ShabbatUK will take place on Shabbat 1st/2nd March 2019.”
The Chief Rabbi said the new date “will provide an added amount of lead-in time and give a fresh new feel for what has become such an important fixture in our communal calendar.”
Originating from a concept created in South Africa, for the last four years ShabbatUK has taken place during a weekend in October, with people who would not ordinarily keep the Shabbat encouraged to observe it.
Synagogues and organisations across the country hold hundreds of events, ranging from challah-making sessions before Shabbat comes in to communal Friday night dinners and havdalah concerts on Saturday night to mark the end of Shabbat. Thousands of people take part.
