Welcoming the Shabbat Afghani Style

Shavua Tov to all of you.
Since the High Holiday season is behind us and Hanukkah is about six weeks away, I think it’s time we start focusing on our favorite weekly holiday – Shabbat. During my year in America numerous teachers told me that they are always looking for new Shabbat activity ideas. So, I’ve decided that in between holidays I’ll sneak in some neat Shabbat customs from around the world that you can apply to the classroom and family Shabbat programs. I’ve also decided to make this first Shabbat blog a bridge between the past and current events.
The war in Afghanistan makes daily headlines. Because it’s an Islamic Republic and because America is waging another war in Iraq the Jewish focus tends to get lost. So here’s the thing: Just like Iraq once had a thriving Jewish community, so did Afghanistan, with a 2,500 year history. However, by 2004 there were only 2 Jews left.
Today, Afghani Jews primarily live in the United States and Israel. Still they haven’t forgotten many of the wonderful traditions handed down through the generations. One Shabbat custom that I found seems tailor-made for the classroom. Afghani Jews would designate a shelf in their house to “Lich-vod Shabbat” – “In Honor of the Sabbath.” This shelf was more like a weekly treasure chest displaying all the special treats bought during the week in anticipation of the Shabbat. Fruits, baked goods, candies, anything you can think of not ordinarily eaten during the week, were purchased weekly and stored on the shelf until the arrival of the Sabbath Queen. That was the way Afghan Jews made Shabbat special, separating it from the weekday routine.

Do you have any type of shelf in your classroom that you can dedicate to Shabbat? Call it the “Lich-vod Shabbat” shelf and hold a weekly Shabbat Show & Tell, with different students bringing in different goodies every week. The time to enjoy these delectable delights? Friday, of course!You determine the hour – snack, lunch, recess, right before dismissal…it’s up to you and it’s something for your pupils to look forward to.

Have a Shabbat Shalom this coming Friday and every Friday of the year.
Tami