VolunTeens: “Shabbat Guest”
Welcoming Shabbat together brings teenagers and seniors closer, uniting generations.
The RVC & Haverim project VolunTeens: “Shabbat Guest” has become an important bridge between generations, bringing together young people and our elderly beneficiaries. Shabbat is a long-awaited holiday filled with warmth and heartfelt connection — a time when people gather to light candles, enjoy moments of quiet, and say prayers together.
Over the course of a month, RVC volunteers and participants of the Haverim youth platform visited elderly people to welcome Shabbat together. Each meeting began with the reading of the weekly Torah portion — a moment that reminds everyone of roots, meanings, and shared history. Then participants lit the candles together, recited blessings, performed Kiddush, washed hands, and said the blessing over the challah. These simple yet meaningful rituals created an atmosphere of unity, warmth, and homelike comfort.
After the traditional part of the evening, everyone gathered around a festive table, where guests and hosts shared news of the week, personal stories, and life experiences. Such conversations are equally important for both young volunteers and elderly participants: for the former, they offer wisdom; for the latter, they bring inspiration and vivid emotions, helping them stay connected to the rhythm of modern life.
The VolunTeens: “Shabbat Guest” project helps unite the experience and wisdom of the older generation with the energy and curiosity of young volunteers. Initiatives like this remind us that what matters most is remaining part of one whole — preserving experience and traditions while confidently looking toward the future. And Shabbat is the perfect moment to be together, offering support and receiving it in return.