Over 1,000 young Jews unite for global Olami Shabbat in Jerusalem
Saturday night's major concert, headlined by Israeli singer Akiva, was livestreamed globally in partnership with Jewish News
More than 1,000 young Jews from around the world gathered in Jerusalem this past week for a Shabbat experience organised by the Olami Global organisation, described as “as a powerful statement of resilience, connection, and confidence in Jewish identity…at a time when many young Jews around the world are feeling increasingly isolated on university campuses and facing antisemitism in the workplace”,
Olami, which operates in 30 countries with over 300 centres worldwide, recently incorporated the Jewish Learning Exchange (JLE) in London, which will now be known as Olami UK. The organisation brought participants from around the globe for a two-week educational and identity-building journey in Israel, run in conjunction with the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and KKL.
One of participants, Javier from Argentina, shared how he was raised with very little Jewish identity, with a Muslim father, and how the events of 7 October fractured his family during a deeply painful time. He spoke emotionally about how Olami gave him, for the first time, a place where he truly felt he belonged.
Shabbat concluded on Saturday night with a major concert at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem, headlined by Israeli singer Akiva, and livestreamed globally in partnership with Jewish News. Havdalah was led by Rabbi Benjy Morgan, Olami UK’s chief executive.
The crowd also heard from Jude Goldfarb, an Olami Sydney student, who spoke about how the massacre at Bondi Beach strengthened Jewish unity within the Australian Jewish community, and how being part of Olami has deepened his sense of Jewish identity and belonging.
Meir Rosenberg, managing director of Latin America at Olami, said:
“At a time when young Jews across the diaspora are facing unprecedented challenges, a sense of global Jewish belonging has never been more important. Olami is stepping up at this pivotal moment in our history, creating spaces where young Jews can reconnect, feel proud of who they are, and know they are part of something bigger than themselves.”
The evening concluded with deeply moving words from former hostage Bar Kuperstein, who spoke about gratitude, hope, and how his connection to Am Yisrael sustained him even in the tunnels. He described Olami as part of that living chain of Jewish strength, unity, and light.
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