On Thursday, Oct. 22, hundreds of women will gather at The Pantry at Northview to participate in the Great Big Challah Bake, which is part of the global Shabbat Project, which aims to mobilize more than one million Jews worldwide to pause and observe the Sabbath together this Oct. 23 and 24. The Jewish community in Orlando is expected to play a major role in this global phenomenon.

Think of The Shabbat Project as a holy global flash mob, a coordinated and choreographed happening which will take place simultaneously in more than 500 cities from Australia to the United Kingdom, from France to Israel, from Russian to the United States. Also referred to as The Shabbos Project, it promotes observance of one of the most profound and central Jewish traditions: To rest, reflect and rejuvenate, "keeping it together" as a global community. This world-wide grassroots movement is for all Jews, regardless of background or affiliation, to unite together and spend one amazing Shabbat together with friends, family and community.

The Shabbat Project was created two years ago in Johannesburg and quickly spread across social media and grew into a global grassroots movement. Thousands of special local events are planned this year, including synchronized challah baking, communal meals, prayer services, concerts and weekend-long celebrations.

In addition to the Challah Bake, on Friday, Oct. 23 JOIN Orlando will host Shabbat at the Park Inn by Radisson in Kissimmee and also host a community Havdallah concert on Saturday evening at the Park Inn.

The costs are $5 per person for the Challah Bake (free for students); the cost varies for the Shabbat service; and the Havdallah concert is free (suggested donation of $5 per person).

To learn more about The Shabbat Project, visit - https://www.facebook.com/The-Shabbat-Project-Orlando-972550859432167/timeline/ or email Rabbi Gabi Gittleson at rabbig@joinorlando.org. or call 407-734-0190.